How to Assess Post-Concussion Brain Damage

A person who sustains a serious concussion must be monitored closely for signs of post-concussion brain damage. If you experience lingering concussion symptoms, a condition known as post concussion syndrome (PCS), have a physician assess your long-term prognosis.

Things You'll Need

• Physician or neurologist

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Instructions

• 1

  Learn to recognize the symptoms of lingering concussion damage. A mild concussion will not induce loss of consciousness, and will generally only result in temporary dizziness or disorientation that quickly abates. Any loss of consciousness, persistent headaches or neurological, sensory, cognitive or mood impairments that develop in the days following the injury should be discussed with a doctor.

• 2

  Have a neurologist arrange a computed topography (CT) scan to assess any possible brain damage. A CT scan makes an electronic map of the brain, allowing doctors to pinpoint abnormalities that may suggest the presence of brain damage.

• 3

  Assess any potential brain damage by having a doctor perform a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. An MRI is similar to a CT scan, but is specially oriented towards detecting physical damage to living tissues. Check with your health insurance provider before getting a CT scan or an MRI, as they can be very costly procedures.

• 4

  Seek a second opinion if your symptoms do not improve upon treatment. It is easy for doctors to misdiagnose brain damage resulting from post concussion syndrome, since the condition shares many symptoms with psychological conditions such as depression.

• 5

  Undergo any subsequent tests ordered by your doctor or neurologist that seek to test your cognitive functioning. Doctors have specially-designed tests at their disposal that are geared specifically to evaluating possible brain damage in post concussion patients.

• 6

  Consider taking medications to treat the symptoms of post concussion syndrome, which may include painkillers, antidepressants and anti-nausea treatments. Unfortunately, there is no tried-and-true way to rehabilitate a patient suffering from PCS, other than time, rest and symptom management.