Post-Concussion Syndrome – a Serious Result of Head Injury
Head injuries are one of the most serious, potentially life-changing forms of injury that can result from a major accident. One possible consequence of a head injury is a condition known as post-concussion syndrome, which can last long after the initial injury and affect victims’ abilities to go about their normal lives. Learn more about post-concussion syndrome below, and contact a knowledgeable Hudson Valley brain injury attorney with questions about your accident.
Post-concussion syndrome, defined
Post-concussion syndrome is a condition that affects 10% of all concussion sufferers. In essence, post-concussion syndrome is an extension of the typical symptoms accompanying a concussion, lasting much longer than they normally would after a concussion. Post-concussion syndrome has its onset between seven and ten days after a concussion, causing symptoms such as:
- Severe headaches
- Explosive temper and quickness to anger
- Difficulty sleeping
- Dizziness
- Inability to concentrate or access memory
- Sensitivity to light and sound
- Fatigue
Post-concussion syndrome isn’t associated with more severe head injuries. In other words, even mild concussions can result in post-concussion syndrome. Some experts believe that post-concussion syndrome is the result of neurotransmitters in the brain being disrupted during a traumatic brain injury, or another form of structural damage. Symptoms last an average of three months but can continue for up to a year. The symptoms of post-concussion syndrome can interfere with a victim’s ability to do their job, causing prolonged leaves of absence from work that can make it difficult to keep up with resulting medical or therapeutic expenses.
Diagnosing post-concussion syndrome
It can be difficult for doctors to accurately diagnose post-concussion syndrome, since the condition does not appear in chemical tests or on brain scans. Victims and their family members will need to provide an accurate depiction of their condition to an experienced head injury doctor. After an accident, keep careful records of symptoms and changes in condition. It is also important to know that some concussion victims are more likely than others to suffer from post-concussion syndrome. Those more advanced in age are more likely to experience post-concussion syndrome, as are women and those whose concussions resulted from a traumatic accident.
If you or someone you love has experienced a traumatic brain injury as the result of a serious motor vehicle or slip-and-fall accident in New York, contact the seasoned and effective Hudson Valley personal injury lawyers at Rusk, Wadlin, Heppner & Martuscello, LLP for a consultation on your case, in Kingston at 845-331-4100, and in Marlboro at 845-236-4411.
