What is Post Concussion Syndrome?
When you suffer a concussion, symptoms usually go away either on their own or with the right concussion treatment process. However, sometimes in the aftermath symptoms don’t always disappear: this is known as post concussion syndrome.
Approximately 10% of high school athletes who suffer a concussion develop post concussion syndrome. Additionally, about 5 to 30% of other age groups and populations suffer from it.
When you think about it, those are some pretty big numbers.
Brain injuries can be serious because your brain is the hub of everything you do. It controls your body’s functions, and when something happens to it, every aspect of your life is affected.
We’re going to help you understand what post concussion syndrome is so you can fully understand what you’re going through. While we can’t control concussions, we can certainly be more prepared for them. Knowing as much as you can will help you make the most out of your recovery.
What is Post Concussion Syndrome?
Post concussion syndrome happens when you suffer long term concussion symptoms.
Essentially, if you suffer a concussion and your symptoms persist for longer than they should, you most likely have post concussion syndrome.
When you don’t recover properly after suffering from a concussion, or other type of mild traumatic brain injury, your brain doesn’t get the healing it needs to restore full function. This can cause permanent brain damage in more serious cases.
For example, if you suffer a headache after an accident and it doesn’t go away, you could have post concussion syndrome. Even if you didn’t realize you had a concussion in the first place.
The Causes and Factors
The risk of post concussion syndrome isn’t actually connected to the severity or type of concussion you suffer. Even if you didn’t originally lose consciousness, you could still end up with long term symptoms.
In fact, medical experts don’t really have a definite reason why some people suffer post concussion syndrome.
However, some believe it’s caused by structural damage to the brain and the nervous system. Others believe it’s connected to psychological factors, as many of the common symptoms are similar to those in people who suffer from mental illnesses such as anxiety or depression.
There are also certain risk factors that have been identified, which increase your chances of suffering long term symptoms after a concussion.
These risk factors are:
- History of mental illness
- A poor social support system
- High stress levels
- Gender- females are more likely to suffer
- Age- the older you get, the higher your chances are
- If you’ve suffered a concussion in the past
If you belong to one or more of these categories, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible for your symptoms.
How Long do Post Concussion Symptoms Last?
While everyone is different, post concussion symptoms can last anywhere from a few weeks to several years.
Generally, it takes about a few weeks to a few months for concussion symptoms to go away, depending on the severity of the injury. When they last longer than this, you’re suffering from post concussion syndrome.
Is There a Post Concussion Syndrome Test?
There are many researchers and experts working on concussion tests around the world. However, there isn’t really a clear test for post concussion syndrome yet.
The best way to tell if it’s happening to you is to look for certain signs and symptoms of a concussion after it should have healed.
Your doctor might choose to run a brain scan to check for any external issues that could be contributing to your prolonged symptoms. They could also choose a CT scan or MRI test to see if there are any structural issues in your skull or brain.
Life After Concussion: Living With The Symptoms
Dealing with post concussion symptoms isn’t easy.
Psychological symptoms are the most common aspect, and this usually manifests through depression or anxiety. Patients tend to suffer mental health issues for a long period of time.
Sometimes the symptoms can become so persistent that the patient is forced to withdraw from society and their working life. This could result in a long term disability claim.
The most important thing you can do is get enough rest and avoid doing anything stressful until you’ve recovered.
Returning to work too early, especially to a high stress job, can put a damper on your recovery and drag your symptoms out longer. Additionally, you should also avoid returning to any physical activity, refrain from drinking alcohol, and remove yourself from any other situation that makes you mentally or physically stressed.
I Have Post Concussion Syndrome. Do I Have a Claim?
If you’re suffering post concussion syndrome that developed after a head injury from an accident, you could be eligible for a brain injury settlement claim.
To determine if your situation is eligible, answer this question: Can you prove your injuries were directly caused by the accident or incident in question? You’ll be responsible to prove this in court in order to make a settlement.
Make sure you have all your bases covered. You’ll need as much evidence as possible.
You’ll also need to make sure you’re within the Ontario Statute of Limitations. Under this legislation, you have 2 years from the date of the incident to file your claim for compensation, otherwise you risk being denied in court.
The best thing you can do is make sure you have an experienced personal injury lawyer on your side to be your advocate and fight for what you deserve.
Conte Jaswal Will Help You Get The Compensation You Deserve
Life with post concussion syndrome isn’t easy, and it’s not fair when your pain was caused by someone else’s negligence.
At Conte Jaswal, we have helped many people who have suffered traumatic brain injuries get the help they need to carry on with their lives. We are empathetic to your cause, and we fight with passion to see you get what you deserve.
That’s why we work with the top medical experts in Ontario. Together, we’ll help build the strongest case in your favour and represent your interests- not the insurance company’s.
Sit down with us for a free consultation at one of our offices in Whitby and Vaughan. We’ll go over the details of your case and help you get back on your feet.
Contact Conte Jaswal today to get started on your brain injury settlement claim and take back your life.
