Post Concussion Syndrome – A Comprehensive Guide

This article is the most comprehensive guide to post concussion syndrome ever!

A concussion is a common occurrence in daily life in Ottawa.

There is a strong association between concussions and Ottawans’ favourite sports, especially ice hockey, Canadian football, rugby and soccer.

Most people in Ottawa who suffer a concussion do not experience any lasting health consequences.

However, the effects can be debilitating and long-lasting for some people, known as post-concussion syndrome.

Today I will discuss the physiological effects, symptoms and signs, and treatment options for a concussion and post-concussion syndrome.

Let’s jump straight in.

What is a Concussion?

A concussion is a complex pathophysiological process affecting the brain, induced by biomechanical forces.

In layman’s terms, this means that an impact on the skull causes chemical changes that affect how the mind works.

Head injuries cause a disruption in the movement of ions in and out of nerve endings.

This disruption is known as an Ionic Shift.

When an ionic shift occurs, the brain uses a large amount of energy in the form of glucose to correct this shift.

If change continues over a long period, the energy demand outweighs the supply leading to an Energy Crisis.

At the same time, as the ionic shift, a reduction in the blood flow to the brain occurs, further reducing the supply of energy/glucose.

A brain injury affects the visual and vestibular systems and cognitive or thinking processes.

How Do Concussions Affect the Visual System?

The brain dedicates about 70% of its energy to processing eye signals.

This strong connection between the brain and eyes means a concussion significantly affects the visual system.

Common ways a concussion affects the visual system include difficulties tracking and focusing on objects.

According to research, up to 90% of concussions can cause at least one visual disturbance.

How Does a Concussion Affect the Vestibular System?

The vestibular system uses the remaining 30% of the brain’s sensory processing along with cognitive and other sensory processes.

The vestibular system is also densely connected with the visual system.

As such, the vestibular system is highly susceptible to injury following a traumatic brain injury.

For example, dizziness is the second most common symptom for people with a concussion.

How Does a Concussion Affect Cognition?

According to research, an energy crisis during the acute stages of concussion can lead to cognitive difficulties such as:

• Attention
• Reaction time
• Information processing
• Working memory

What are the symptoms of Concussion?

The common symptoms of concussion include:

• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Light and sound sensitivity
• Nausea and vomiting
• Balance problems
• Fatigue /Sleepiness
• Sleep issues
• Difficulty concentrating
• Fogginess
• Memory issues
• Anxiety and Depression

It is essential to realize that symptoms may be immediate but are often delayed.

Loss of consciousness occurs in less than 10% of cases and is not a marker of severity.

Similarly, the degree of force of impact is always consistent with symptom severity.

How to Treat Concussion

When treating a concussion, it is essential to recognize and address the injury as early as possible.

If a person experiences a head injury, even if they do not appear to have symptoms, seeking an objective clinical evaluation is essential.

You should not diagnose a concussion on symptoms alone.

How Most Medical Doctors Treat Concussion

Most medical doctors traditionally prescribe rest for a concussion.

This rest includes avoidance of time watching TV, playing video games, reading, and texting.

All these restrictions are related to the eyes or visual system and do not address the vestibular and cognitive processes.

Complete rest of the visual system is critical within the first 24 to 48 hours following the injury because the eyes are a significant drain on energy.

After that time, it is vital to address other systems.

Clinical recovery vs physiological recovery

Most well-managed concussion cases will exhibit clinical recovery in a relatively quick timeframe.

Clinical improvement is a remission of symptoms.

Clinical recovery is usually within two weeks for adults, while for children and adolescents, is generally within 30 days.

There is some evidence, however, that complete physiological recovery may take longer than clinical improvement.

Physiological recovery is the normalization of objective medical testing.

Physiological Susceptibility

A concussion renders the brain more susceptible to cellular injury.

If you sustain an additional trauma before physiological recovery, more severe brain damage may increase symptoms, a more prolonged recovery timeframe, and Second Impact Syndrome.

Second Impact Syndrome

Second Impact Syndrome (SIS) happens when a second trauma occurs when the brain is still in an energy crisis.

SIS results in severe neurological impairment and brain swelling, which may lead to coma and death.

SIS is a rare but devastating consequence of a premature return to sport.

Post Concussion Syndrome

Post-concussion syndrome occurs when symptoms exceed expected the anticipated timeframe for recovery.

According to research, 15 to 20 % of individuals with a concussion experience persistent and potentially debilitating problems months after injury.

Unfortunately, the Canadian healthcare system is not for this patient population.

What Causes Post Concussion Syndrome?

The causes of Post Concussion Syndrome are poorly understood and are thought to be a combination of neuropathological and psychological factors.

Researchers have identified some risk factors for persistent symptoms from a concussion, including:

• A high initial symptom load
• History of a migraine
• History of vestibular or visual symptoms
• History of anxiety or depression
• History of insomnia
• Teenage females tend to be at a higher risk for a protracted recovery

Symptoms of PCS

Symptoms of PCS may include:

• Visual and balance problems
• Dizziness
• Neck pain
• Anxiety and depression
• Headaches and migraines
• Insomnia

The symptoms of PCS are not specific to a concussion and share clinical features of other conditions such as PTSD, depression, chronic pain and insomnia.

As such, PCS requires an interdisciplinary approach to treatment, including Osteopathy.

Conclusion

Concussion results in an energy crisis that is typically resolvable but should be appropriately managed.

During the acute stage of concussion, the brain is highly susceptible to further injury, underscoring the importance of a delayed return to sport.

It is critical to manage the injury early and effectively, particularly in those at higher risk of symptoms.

The treatment of Post Concussion Syndrome relies upon identifying triggers and managing them accordingly.

Have I Missed Anything?

Do you have a better understanding of concussion and post concussion syndrome?

Do you have more questions?

Either way, let me know by leaving a comment below.