What Is PCS? What Are the Warning Signs?
If you’ve been involved in an accident where you’ve suffered blunt force trauma to your head, neck or shoulders, or where you’ve experienced a violent shaking or snapping of your head, the likelihood is great that you’ve suffered some level of concussion. The symptoms of a concussion are well-known—difficulty speaking, disorientation, severe headache, amnesia or confusion. But just because you haven’t observed any of these warnings signs, you shouldn’t assume that you haven’t suffered some level of concussion. After any head or neck injury, you should keep an eye out for the indications of post-concussion syndrome, or PCS.
Unfortunately, there are many characteristics of PCS that make it challenging to handle. The symptoms often come on gradually, but will typically persist for a long period of time, from weeks to months to years.You can be more or less susceptible to post-concussion syndrome, based on your age, as well as your past medical history. Women and seniors are more prone to suffer from PCS, as is anyone with a history of headaches. Furthermore, there’s no definitive test to definitively diagnose PCS, as many of the symptoms also appear with other types of injuries. Accordingly, the diagnosis may require the elimination of all other causes.
The typical symptoms that manifest when you suffer from PCS include:
- Persistent headache that may not respond to painkillers
- Dizziness, vertigo or balance issues
- Changes in sleep patterns, including insomnia or excessive sleeping
- Psychological changes, from anxiety or irritability to depression
- Difficulty with cognitive function, including loss of long or short term memory, challenges concentrating or focusing, or diminished problem solving
The good news is that there are effective treatments for PCS.As a general rule, you’ll want to get plenty of rest and try to avoid any type of stress. Anti-inflammatory drugs, anti-depressants and headache medications may be effective.
Contact Us to Set Up an Appointment
At Advantage Healthcare Systems, we have extensive experience working successfully with individuals who suffer any type of concussion, TBI or traumatic brain injury. Call us toll-free at 1-877-487-8289 or fill out the form provided below to schedule an assessment. We offer locations across Texas, including Fort Worth, Dallas and San Antonio.
