Concussions are probably the best-known type of traumatic brain injury (TBI). They’re generally less serious than TBIs that involve bleeding in the brain. It’s crucial, though, after any blow to the head to get proper testing and treatment as soon as possible so that doctors can determine just what kind of injury to the brain a person is dealing with.
In most cases, the symptoms of concussion resolve on their own within a few days or a couple of weeks if a person follows medical advice and takes some time away from work, school, athletic activity and screens. That’s not the case for everyone, however.
What determines whether someone gets post-concussion syndrome?
When concussion symptoms continue for longer than an expected recovery period – and possibly months or longer, these are known as persistent post-concussive symptoms. This phenomenon is sometimes referred to as “post-concussion syndrome.” Post-concussion syndrome can also involve symptoms that didn’t appear within ten days after the injury.
There’s no way for doctors to tell in the early days after someone suffers a concussion whether they will develop post-concussion syndrome. Its development is not necessarily related to how serious any particular concussion is.
Researchers have found that various psychological factors affect the development of this condition. For example, people with a history of anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression are more likely to develop this challenge after a concussion.
Symptoms of post-concussion syndrome
The symptoms of this condition are the same as “regular” concussion symptoms, including:
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Hearing and vision problems and sensitivity
- Difficulty concentrating
- Memory loss
- Insomnia
- Irritability
- Fatigue
You can’t know how a concussion (or any injury to the brain) is going to affect you and for how long. That’s why it’s important not to accept a settlement from any party responsible for your harm (or their insurer) until you know the full effects of your injuries on your life and your finances. This is just one reason why it’s wise to have experienced legal guidance to protect your rights as you recover from the effects of another party’s negligence.