Post-Concussion Syndrome - Care Procedures, Medications & More

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A concussion occurs when you receive significant blunt force trauma to the brain. Recovering from a concussion is a complicated and dynamic process. Post-concussion syndrome is a condition that often follows a significant head injury.

To adequately recover from a concussion, you must identify the factors responsible for the symptoms and develop a plan to treat them. Unfortunately, there is no single test to prove whether you have post-concussion syndrome. Some of the symptoms of post-concussion syndrome include headache, dizziness, sleep issues, and cognitive problems. 

Treatment

There is no specific treatment for post-concussion syndrome. The following are some of the treatment options for post-concussion syndrome: 

Rest

Most people can recover and reduce their symptoms with substantial rest and reducing stress. Rest is the gold standard for post-concussion syndrome and means refraining from physical and mental exertion. The amount of rest necessary for recovery is an issue of serious contention, as too much rest can be detrimental. The initial rest period should last 24 to 48 hours. The patient can then resume physical and mental activity depending on the severity of their symptoms. The key is slowly and gradually returning to everyday life as abrupt changes worsen the symptoms. 

Concussion Medications

There are no medications that directly treat concussions or post-concussion syndrome. However, medicines can be used to treat the symptoms and make them less severe.

You should avoid Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen and aspirin hours after a head trauma in case a bleed develops.

The safest pain medication to take during the hours or days after a concussion is acetaminophen.

Generally, doctors and other medical professionals will refrain from prescribing medication during recovery. However, they will administer drugs to treat symptoms like dizziness, headaches, and nausea as long as they do not interfere with recovery. 

Care Procedures

Follow-up care is a highly vital part of the treatment of post-concussion syndrome. It is key to your recovery and safety after a brain injury like a concussion. You should consult your doctor or nurse about the best way to receive care or when the symptoms worsen.

However, you can do much to take care of yourself at home. There are two main care procedures involved in the protocol for concussion recovery, including: 

Pain Management

Managing pain is crucial after a concussion and will help mitigate the symptoms of post-concussion syndrome. Rest is the best pain management solution for post-concussion syndrome. Get enough rest, especially a day or two after the concussion, and proceed based on how you feel. Try avoiding watching TV, listening to music, or reading. 

If the pain persists and is particularly acute, your doctor may prescribe pain relief medication. 

Take your medicine according to the prescription, as you are very vulnerable after a concussion. 

You can have someone gently massage your neck and shoulders to see if it helps. Placing a cool, moist cloth or ice pack on your head may help too. 

Stress Management

The other way to take care of yourself and reduce post-concussion syndrome symptoms is to manage stress. Stress reduction will help your recovery and ease the severity of the symptoms like dizziness and headaches. 

Getting a massage, a warm bath, deep breathing exercises, stretching, and aromatherapy are ways to reduce stress after a concussion. 

Getting enough sleep will help you rest and will also help reduce stress. Therefore, a good sleep routine will be necessary for post-concussion recovery. 

There is no single treatment for post-concussion syndrome. Though medications may help alleviate some symptoms of the syndrome, they are best avoided. The best solution is to follow care procedures, especially as they pertain to pain and stress management. 

This is a gust blog entry.