Concussions are a common problem among athletes, and it can lead to a variety of long-term medical problems. One medical problem that can occur as a result of a concussion is post-concussion syndrome. As an athlete, it is very important to know the symptoms and treatments for post-concussion syndrome, so you can get back to sports as quickly as possible. Here are some of the most common symptoms associated with post-concussion syndrome, as well as treatment options, which every athlete should be aware of.
Symptoms
There are a variety of symptoms that are associated with post-concussion syndrome, and you should be very aware of your body in case these symptoms occur. Some of the most common symptoms include dizziness, headaches, anxiety, fatigue, insomnia and irritability. An athlete might also notice a loss of concentration or memory, and will also have sensitivity to light and sound. As far as headaches go, an athlete might feel like he or she has a tension headache or migraine, and it will be fairly persistent in nature. The tension headache could be a result of a neck injury sustained when the concussion happened, so it is important to take this headache seriously. Behavior and emotions might also change in an athlete suffering from post-concussion syndrome, which might only be noticed by close or immediate family members. Behavior or emotional changes can include becoming irritated easily, feeling depressed, changes in body images, and even becoming dominant or submissive.
Treatment
As an athlete suffering from post-concussion syndrome, it is important to realize there is no real treatment available for the condition. Since the condition exhibits itself in a number of symptoms, the goal is to treat the symptoms of the condition, which will vary in intensity from person to person. A doctor might prescribe you medication specifically used to treat headaches, which might be in the form of antidepressants such as Amitriptyline. An athlete suffering from any condition after an injury, such as post-concussion syndrome, is treated with antidepressants. This type of medication is known to help relieve anxiety, depression, restlessness, headaches, and other symptoms that can occur as the result of a concussion, or other sports related injury. Using pain medication, such as ibuprofen, can actually increase the amount of post-concussion headaches, so these types of treatments should be avoided. When it comes to the cognitive symptoms of post-concussion syndrome, there are also no treatments available specifically for this issue.
An athlete who suffered memory problems, due to a brain injury, will only be able to recover from those ailments with time. Usually memory or thinking abilities will come back by itself after a period of time, which might be weeks or months, depending upon the brain trauma. With post-concussion syndrome, you can expect full cognitive abilities to return within a month usually, so then you can begin enjoying the sport you love again. If you suffer from anxiety or depression due to post-concussion syndrome, then the doctor might prescribe anti-anxiety medications or psychotherapy. The most important way to treat depression or anxiety is to educate the athlete on his or her condition, and reassure them their abilities will come back completely with time. An athlete might also choose to discuss the injury with a therapist, so that he or she can talk about the future, and any fears concerning the post-concussion diagnosis. Education, however, is the key for any athlete suffering from post-concussion syndrome, because it can go a long way in easing the heart, mind, and soul.
