How is Post-Concussion Syndrome Diagnosed?
Post-concussion syndrome (PCS) is a condition that can occur after a concussion. It is diagnosed based on a combination of your medical history, symptoms, and exclusion of other potential causes for those symptoms. The process of diagnosing PCS can involve some of the following steps:
Medical History: A medical professional will start by taking a detailed history, including the circumstances of the head injury, the symptoms experienced, and the duration of those symptoms. They may ask about any previous concussions/brain injuries as well.
Physical Examination: A physical examination will be conducted to assess your neurological function, balance, coordination, and reflexes.
Symptom Assessment: You will be asked to describe their symptoms in detail. Some common symptoms of post-concussion syndrome include headaches, dizziness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, memory problems, irritability, anxiety, and sleep disturbances. It’s good to bring a list with you to make sure you get all your symptoms across and don’t forget anything important.
Neurological Assessment: They may use various neurological tests to assess cognitive function, memory, and other neurological abilities. Some of these tests are draining if you are dealing with symptoms so be prepared for rest afterwards.
Diagnostic Tests: While imaging tests like CT (computed tomography) scans or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) can help rule out other serious brain injuries like bleeding or structural abnormalities, they may not show any specific changes related to PCS itself. So do not feel like your situation is not real because they can’t visually see the issue itself in a scan.
Timeframe: PCS is typically diagnosed when the symptoms persist for an extended period usually a few months after the initial concussion.
It's crucial to seek medical attention if you suspect you have post-concussion syndrome or if you experience any head injury with persistent symptoms. A medical professional will be able to conduct a thorough evaluation and provide appropriate management and treatment recommendations. If the first medical professional you see does not believe in your symptoms, don’t be hesitant to search for another!
