Tulsa World: Post-concussion syndrome healing process often a lengthy one

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Post-concussion syndrome healing process often a lengthy one

By PETER GOTT M.D. Newspaper Enterprise Association
Published: 11/13/2009 2:19 AM
Last Modified: 11/13/2009 4:38 AM

Dear Dr. Gott: My 57-year-old husband was assaulted in May and suffered a concussion. The back of his head hit the pavement hard, and he was punched a number of times in the forehead. He is still experiencing dizziness and blurry vision. The doctor told him that he has post-concussion syndrome and says it may go away in a few months or it make take a year or more. He said there is a small chance that it will never go away.

Is there anything that can be done to hasten his healing process? Is there anything that will make it worse that he should avoid?

Dear Reader: Post-concussion syndrome (PCS) is a complex condition characterized by symptoms that last for several weeks or months following the initial injury.

There is no specific treatment. Even with knowing the cause, your husband's complaints of dizziness and blurry vision can be difficult to treat. He may benefit from trying an antivertigo/antinausea medication such as buclizine, cyclizine or meclizine. The blurred vision is more difficult. If it is truly part of his PCS, it should resolve over time; however, a visit to an ophthalmologist for evaluation may be in order to rule out other causes that may be corrected easily with glasses or contacts.

Your husband needs to be especially vigilant to avoid hitting his head again, causing another concussion or worsened symptoms. If there are certain triggers that aggravate his dizziness, he should avoid those situations. Certain medications may also carry side effects that could compound the problem.

Based on your letter, your husband most likely sustained a major concussion, and nothing can speed the healing process. In the meantime, he should follow his physician's advice, and get plenty of rest, exercise and proper nutrition.

Write Dr. Gott c/o United Media, 200 Madison Ave. 4th floor, New York, NY 10016. By PETER GOTT M.D. Newspaper Enterprise Association

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