Head injuries can be caused in many ways. Whether you are involved in a slip and fall accident, a car accident, a construction accident, or any other kind of accident where the head can be impacted, the unfortunate reality is that a serious head injury may be the end result.
While injuries like broken bones can be easy to diagnose and straightforward to treat, TBIs (Traumatic Brain Injuries) can be a bit more challenging. No two head injuries are the same and they often manifest themselves in different ways, making them difficult to identify. In fact, you yourself may not even realize your brain has been injured until well after your involvement in an accident.
One way you may become suspicious that you’ve sustained a brain injury following an accident is if you are experiencing symptoms of post-concussion syndrome.
What is Post-Concussion Syndrome?
Sometimes, following an accident which causes a mild injury to your brain (also known as a “concussion”), you may continue to experience symptoms including headaches and dizziness. Those continuing symptoms are known as “post-concussion syndrome.”
In most people, post-concussion syndrome symptoms occur within the first seven to 10 days and go away within three months, though they can persist for a year or more.
Post-concussion symptoms include:
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Loss of concentration and memory
- Noise and light sensitivity
How to Diagnose Concussions
Concussions are usually first diagnosed by the emergency room doctor, and the patient is directed to follow up with their primary care physician. Unfortunately, concussions cannot always be detected immediately after they occur. If you are experiencing any of the post-concussion symptoms listed above, it is very important that you seek out prompt and appropriate medical treatment with an appropriate medical professional, such as a neurologist or physiatrist.
No single test will prove you have post-concussion syndrome.
Your doctor may want to order a scan of your brain to check for other potential problems that could be causing your symptoms. A computerized tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be performed to detect brain abnormalities.
If you’re experiencing a lot of dizziness, you may be referred to a doctor who specializes in ear, nose and throat complaints.
A referral to a psychologist or psychiatrist may be appropriate if you are experiencing anxiety or depression, or if you’re having problems with memory or problem-solving.
How to Treat Post Concussion Syndrome
There is no specific treatment for post-concussion syndrome. Instead, your doctor will treat the individual symptoms you’re experiencing. The types of symptoms and their frequency are unique to each person. Treatments include prescribing medications and therapies.
Get The Compensation You Deserve After You’ve Sustained a Concussion
If you believe the accident that caused your head injury and left you experiencing the symptoms of Post Concussion Syndrome was caused by the negligence of another individual, you should contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible to ensure your rights are protected. If you’ve been injured in the Albany, Johnstown, Saugerties, Amsterdam, Catskill, Gloversville, Hudson and Capital District regions of Upstate NY, the head injury attorneys at Maynard Injury Law can help you obtain the compensation you deserve for your pain and suffering.
The attorneys at Maynard O’Connor have years of experience helping people who have suffered head injuries resulting in post-concussion syndrome. We can help you identify an appropriate medical provider to evaluate and treat the symptoms you are experiencing, and assist you as you pursue the compensation you deserve from the responsible party so you can get back to the life you had before your accident.
If you’re suffering from a concussion, remember: You do not have to struggle through this alone. Let us help you overcome the challenge. Contact us today by completing our simple online form to request a FREE case review or give us a call at (800) 721-3553 to find out how we can assist you.
