Post concussion syndrome, also known as PCS, is a diagnosis that most people are not familiar with. PCS symptoms will typically occur after a traumatic accident. For example, a motor vehicle accident can cause PCS.
Factors that could lead to PCS after an automobile accident include the vehicle’s occupant’s body positioning in the vehicle, the type of vehicle, whether the person was prepared for the impact versed an impact with no sudden warning. Also, direct trauma to the head can cause PCS, such as when a person slips and falls striking their head. The patient does not have to be rendered unconscious to sustain PCS.
What is Post Concussion Syndrome?
To better understand PCS, let’s start with the definition of a concussion. Concussions are mild traumatic brain injuries that don’t always result in a loss of consciousness. PCS typically will occur after an accident involving head trauma. It could have been a slip/trip and fall, automobile-related, pedestrian-related, or any other head trauma incident.
The symptoms may not show up immediately. PCS can occur regardless of the severity of the concussion.
Post Concussion Syndrome Symptoms
Most medical professionals agree that a person will experience at least 3 trauma-related symptoms if they have PCS.
Some of the more common symptoms include:
Physical Symptoms of Post Concussion Syndrome
- Decreased sense of smell
- Dizziness
- Double vision
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Insomnia
- Nausea
- Sensitivity to noise or light
- Tinnitus
Psychological Symptoms of Post Concussion Syndrome
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Irritability
- Personality changes
Cognitive Symptoms of Post Concussion Syndrome
- Confusion
- Impaired judgment
- Loss of concentration
- Short term memory loss
The symptoms can last weeks, months or in some cases years.
What to Do After Head Trauma Accidents
It is extremely important to consult your doctor or go to an emergency room immediately after any type of head trauma or bodily injury.
Know that there really is no specific treatment for PCS. Instead, the individual symptoms will most likely be treated with medications.
Post Concussion Syndrome Treatment
As a result of the symptoms caused by PCS, many people are prescribed medications.
Patients who complain of headaches are usually prescribed headache medications, while those who display psychological symptoms may be prescribed psychotherapy and antidepressant medications.
Other than medications and diagnostics, there is not much more that can be done to control PCS. When a person is injured due to someone else’s negligence, they can make a claim against the at-fault party’s insurance company or the at-fault’s party directly. The insurance industry typically will discount a claimant’s PCS diagnosis and sometimes not consider it an injury at all.
No matter the type of accident, it is important that you either go to the emergency room or your doctor to be evaluated immediately.
Post Concussion Syndrome Diagnosis
Computerized axial tomography scan (CAT scan) and/or Diffusion Tensor Imaging / Susceptibility Weighted Imaging MRI scan (DTI/SWI) testing can be performed to diagnose PCS.
A neuropsychological or neurology consult can be performed to diagnose the physical and cognitive symptoms of PCS.
Tips to Avoid Head Injuries
Accidents will happen – it’s a fact of life. But the mere effort of taking precautions to help avoid accidents will lower that probability dramatically.
Some simple tips to help avoid head injuries are:
- Always use seatbelts in vehicles. It’s the law and it’s there for a very good reason – to help save lives and prevent serious injuries.
- Children under the age of 13 are always safer riding in the back seat.
- Wear helmets when riding bicycles, skateboards, etc.
- Make your house “fall proof” by removing small area rugs and installing good lighting and handrails.
Call Carey Leisure Carney for Legal Services in Clearwater, FL
If you have had a head trauma incident and are experiencing PCS symptoms, it is very important that you seek advice from an attorney who is Board Certified and specializes in personal injury.
And, never sign or agree to any compensation without legal advice. The insurance company will often times contact you right after an accident and offer you a few hundred dollars in exchange for a signed general release. If you accept their money and sign the document, you will be forever barred from making a claim. Even if you begin to have symptoms or are diagnosed with PCS, or another injury after signing the document, you are unable to re-open the claim and will never be able to receive extra compensation.
Contact us at (727) 799-3900 for a free no-obligation consultation and case evaluation.