How To Deal With Head Trauma

How To Deal With Head Trauma – Post-concussion syndrome (PCS) is a condition in which symptoms of a concussion or head injury last long after the initial injury.

PCS can last for months or years, but symptoms improve over time and, in most cases, they make a full recovery.

How To Deal With Head Trauma

In this article, we look at the symptoms of PCS and how long they last. We also cover the causes and risk factors, diagnosis, treatment options and possible complications.

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Long term effects from concussion are not common. After a concussion, most people recover from the onset of symptoms within 2 weeks to one month. However, about 20% of people will experience PCS and have symptoms that last more than 6 weeks.

According to some sources, concussion symptoms that affect three or more “domains” – which include emotional changes and cognitive impairment – for more than 1 or 2 months indicate PCS.

PCS can last for months or even years, but the symptoms don’t get worse. PCS gets better over time, and, in most cases, people recover from it.

Many involve them with other medical conditions, such as post-traumatic stress disorder and chronic pain.

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White matter is the tissue that includes nerve fibers. Damage to this tissue can affect the pathways between the brain and the rest of the body, which can make possible the symptoms experienced in PCS.

Certain groups are more at risk of PCS than others, including women, older adults, and people with a history of:

Athletes and people in the military may be even more at risk for PCS because they are at a higher risk of concussion or traumatic brain injury.

And Stroke (NINDS) between 1.6 million and 3.8 million sports-related concussions occur in the United States each year. Athletes are also more prone to repeat concussions.

Pdf) Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Guidelines For Acute/post Acute Assessment And Management Following Closed Head Injury

NINDS also notes that 20% of military personnel received head injuries during the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. Among these, 83% had concussion or mild, simple traumatic brain injury.

Multiple concussions can increase the risk of long-term concussion symptoms. It is important to rest until fully recovered after a head injury to allow the brain time to heal properly.

A doctor or other health care professional diagnoses PCS by evaluating a person’s symptoms. Diagnosing PCS can be tricky because many symptoms overlap with other health conditions.

PCS criteria are set that require relative symptoms in three or more categories to be present for a month or more.

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The doctor may also perform neurological tests to check for any balance issues or cognitive changes. They use CT scans or MRI scans to check images of the brain and rule out any other underlying causes.

Treatment for PCS focuses on providing supportive care to help the person manage the symptoms. Rest is one of the most important parts of PCS treatment as it allows the brain to heal and recover from the concussion.

Where possible, doctors often use medication to treat PCS symptoms because a head injury can make the brain more sensitive to drug use and possible side effects.

Doctors may advise people to wait several weeks before starting an active treatment, such as an exercise plan or another type of therapy. In addition, suffering from multiple concussions can significantly delay recovery and symptoms in a short period of time.

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People can try different therapies that help recovery from PCS. For all these therapies, the person will work with a medical professional who will monitor their progress and can adjust the treatment plan to suit them as necessary.

Vision therapy uses a wide range of exercises to help people who have vision problems due to PCS. Exercises can help repair damage to the visual system or help the brain adapt to changes in connectivity.

Neuro-optometric rehabilitation also works to target any vision problems that people may be experiencing. The treatment plan will involve the use of lenses, prisms, and wires to help stimulate parts of the brain that are not working normally.

Balance, or vestibular, symptoms such as vertigo are experienced as a symptom of PCS. Exercises to strengthen balance and stability can help reduce this disorienting symptom.

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If PCS is causing physical pain, physical therapy can help relieve the symptoms. This therapy includes massage, gentle exercise, and heat therapy to relax the body and help it recover.

Exercise therapy uses gentle aerobic exercise to help the body recover. People should use a pool or use gym equipment, such as a treadmill, which carries the least risk of head injury.

A professional doctor will carefully monitor each individual in this therapy to ensure that there is no excess exercise, which will slow recovery.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help those who have PCS mood-related symptoms, such as depression, anxiety, or mood swings.

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CBT helps them become aware of their negative thinking patterns and behaviors and provides them with practical tools to overcome these issues.

. If someone has a pre-existing health condition, such as depression or migraines, concussion and PCS can make it worse.

If post-concussion syndrome causes people to become unstable, they may be more at risk for repeated injuries. Multiple concussions can result in brain damage, the potential for depression, and changes in behavior or personality.

To help prevent further head injury, avoid any activity or exercise that may result in a second concussion and complications. People who play sports should wait until they recover from their symptoms.

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PCS may go away for a while, but it gets better with time. People need to change their daily activities or schedules to allow more time for rest.

People can work with healthcare professionals to help manage their symptoms and monitor their progress. The treatment plan will be different for everyone, so people may want to explore different approaches to see what works best for them.

Medical News today takes a narrow approach and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using third party information. We link to primary sources — including studies, scientific concepts and statistics — within each article, and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy. Head injuries range from a bump on the head to a fractured skull. Some head injuries are mild, while others are severe enough to cause brain damage or even death.

Knowing the signs of a concussion and some simple first aid can help to respond quickly to a head injury, reducing the chance of complications.

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There are different types of head injuries, and the injury can be more or less serious in each type.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs when the brain is damaged, usually as a result of an accident. A person can have a TBI if an object hits the head, or an object penetrates the brain through the skull.

Some examples are hitting the head with a ball at high speed, falling on the head from a great height, or having a shot wound.

Violent head trauma can also cause TBI, as the brain bounces or twists against the skull. This often leads to whiplash.

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A TBI damages the brain, usually by causing a blood clot or fracture. A blood clot in the brain is known as an intracranial hematoma (ICH).

A concussion is a form of TBI that temporarily prevents the brain from functioning normally. Concussion symptoms are not always severe or long-lasting, but they can cause complications.

The skull becomes very hard, with thick bones, to protect the brain from injury. However, it is possible to break or fracture the skull with a hard blow.

If the brain breaks the brain and pierces the mouth or some other object, the doctor will refer to the injury as an open head injury or a penetrating head injury.

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A bump to the head is a common injury that does not usually cause serious problems. However, it is not clear at what point the doctor will judge the damage as a type of head injury.

Usually, head injuries with mild or no symptoms can be treated at home. However, it is vital to recognize the signs of a concussion and see a doctor if these develop.

Moderate and severe head injuries require immediate treatment. If the symptoms of a mild headache last for more than 2 weeks, the person should also seek medical advice.

Symptoms of a concussion are not always immediately apparent. Sometimes, a person may develop the first symptoms days or weeks after the injury.

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People should always take injuries very seriously. If anyone has any of these symptoms, even after a minor injury, they should talk to a doctor.

The doctor will ask how the injury occurred and about the person’s medical history. They will also carefully look at the head, face, and neck;

Concussions can often cause mental confusion.

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