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Post Concussion Syndrome Symptoms

Azmin Taraporewala
If you have questions about post concussion syndrome, then here is an story that answers your queries.
Post concussion syndrome symptoms and treatment is provided in the sections of the story, in order to help you understand this condition with lucidity.
Have you ever experienced a head injury, rather a blow that had the world as though whirling right in front of your eyes? You must have experienced a slight syncope, and a visual blackout. I am sure you must not have paid much heed to the blow.
But are you aware that the blow that is tackled so casually by you, could be a torrential proposition of a brain injury. The purpose of this story is to decipher that head injuries cannot be neglected and necessary action must be taken to cease the symptoms from developing. 
When the concussion takes place, the symptoms that it causes are headache, dizziness and nausea. However, one is free of these symptoms within a considerably short tenure.
The most intriguing position where the condition stands is the continuation and the strong presence of the symptoms, or in some cases, the escalation of the symptoms, even after the two-week tenure has lapsed. The symptoms continue to prove their strength for several weeks which may also transform into years after the person has endured concussions.

Aim

To describe the post concussion syndrome in detail with symptoms and the correlative treatment that must be administered for the condition.

Hypothesis

The above-said condition, called the post concussion syndrome, is partially triggered due to psychological factors playing catalyst, thereby also being correlated to medical cistrons.

Description/Theory

This is a syndrome that affects 15 to 20% of humans who endure a concussion. Sustaining a blow, a jerk or an accidental bang on the head, can cause the individual to develop symptoms, such as nausea, dizziness, and severe headache.
"Out of a majority who sustain the head injury, 15 to 20% are affected by a condition regarded as the post concussion syndrome, in which the symptoms continue long after the blow has occurred." In normal cases, if the individual sustains a blow, the symptoms disappear in a matter of 2 weeks.
However, when the symptoms continue for weeks together or even years, the situation needs attention. Researchers are confused as to why the symptoms continue for such a long period.
Some researchers are of the opinion that the syndrome is a complete reflection of psychological tendencies, while on the other hand, the symptoms are ranked high on the medical crux being the predominant cause of the syndrome.
Some investigators are also of the view that the major cause is the age, as the number of cases that were submitted, consisted portfolios and medical histories of the elderly. Out of the consensus, it was also concluded that women were at an increased risk of developing this syndrome.
Headache
If you injure your head, you, in scientific terminology, end up causing harm to the skull. The most prevalent symptom of this syndrome, is headache. The intensity of the headache can vary from being mild to strong, to being absolutely unbearable in nature.
The syndrome can primarily be characterized by a headache that may continue to bother you endlessly, or may wreak havoc in a recurrent manner. Patients are also faced with pain that mimics the intensity of a migraine. It also mimics stress headache, commonly known as the top-of-the-eye-lid headache.
Syncope
Syncope, also known as fainting or feeling lightheaded, is another symptom of this syndrome. This symptom is also accompanied by related symptoms such as dizziness and vertigo. Vertigo is the sensation that the surroundings are twirling.
This whirlpool sensation caused by dizziness and vertigo can fail the individual's ability to continue with his normal course of life. The patient may not be able to stand or sit comfortably, as he has this feeling of consistent motion taking place around him.
Difficulty in Sleeping
If you develop post concussion syndrome, you are bound to experience frequent episodes of sleep disturbances. There are difficulties in sleeping, or having a sound sleep throughout the night which may lead to insomnia.
Fatigue
Weakness and a constant feeling of fatigue, can be another symptom of post concussion syndrome. The fatigue is inter-related to developing insomnia, because the required amount of sleep is not completed, which hampers your normal daily chores.
Mood Swings
When the patient is affected by the syndrome, mood swings are amongst the most prominent symptoms. Behavioral discrepancies escalate anxiety and irritability. You may also feel depressed and have this constant urge of crying and whining.
There are bouts of confusion that you may experience where you cannot figure out the solution even if an increased amount of concentration is applied. Moreover, if a child has suffered a blow on the skull, he can suffer from a distorted personality.
Concussion symptoms in children involve the child becoming irritated and having difficulties in concentrating or having a sound sleep.
Decreased Sexual Libido
There is a considerable plummeting effect in the sexual libido when the individual is afflicted with the syndrome. It is due to excessive stress and headaches that the sexual drive in the system is lowered.
Personality Changes
There are instances where the individual experiences a major switch in personality. It has been observed that due to consistent troubles related to health, jolly and happy-go-lucky individuals have taken to a melancholic or even a choleric demeanor and outlook towards life.
Hearing Loss
When the individual sustains injury on the skull, the resultant symptom can also be hearing impairment. Patients are of the opinion that they have a funny sensation in the ear characterized by a buzzing sensation that sounds like ringing bells. In medical nomenclature, it is regarded as tinnitus.
It could be a temporary condition; however, the patient with the post concussion syndrome symptoms, has a persistent sensation of this condition.
Visual Impairment
Due to this syndrome you pose a risk to develop blurred vision, virtual blackouts, defects in speech and in certain cases, the tactile senses are also hampered.
Decreased Appetite
The appetite is thoroughly affected by the syndrome, where the individual loses his interest to eat. Even if he eats, he has his tactile senses not functioning as they ought to be. Due to nausea and dizziness, he fails to eat well and resorts to vomiting.
Due to these factors persisting for a considerable period, the condition poses a risk for the patient, probing him to lose weight.
Memory Impairment
You are prone to becoming increasingly forgetful. You may forget to complete your daily chores, or you may be unable to carry out tasks that came naturally to you, such as maintaining finances, or cooking up dinner for your family.

Preventive Measures

  • While you commute by car, ensure that you have secured your seat belts. In the most unfortunate case, if your car meets with an accident, you save your body from the abrupt spasmodic movements with your head being the frontal brunt-bearer. 
  • Bike riders and pillion riders must refuge their heads with a helmet. Bicycling, skiing or horse riding; any rigorous activity that exposes your head, making it absolutely vulnerable to sustain injury, mandates you to wear a head-protection gear. 
  • Be vigilant and look before you 'leap'; do not walk as though blindfolded, even in areas that you frequent the most. You may never know, a new inclusion may feature to disrupt the mundane look of the area; however, it should not serve to be a device of destruction for you.

Treatment

The concussion treatment involves a neuropsychologist examining the extent of damage that has been sustained in the head. There are certain medication that are administered to control the head pain and nausea. Antidepressants can be given to deplete the effects of insomnia and anxiety.
Acupuncture and administering Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) is an effective remedy to control the pain.

Summary

The symptoms of concussion follow even after it has occurred long back. The continuation of the symptoms is what gets the practitioners and researchers into a dilemma.
The symptoms that are marked as potential stimulators of aggravating the problem are headache, syncope, difficulty in sleeping, fatigue, mood swings, decreased sexual libido, personality changes, hearing loss, visual impairment, decreased appetite and memory impairment.
The treatment may include administration of antidepressants and neuropsychological interference.
Thus, Post concussion syndrome symptoms have a psychological and a medical inclination. The brain injury that the individual endures cannot be categorized into one particular fraternity.