health

Prognosis depends on the severity of the concussion. Most people heal
completely in one to two weeks, although healing may be somewhat
slower in adults over fifty-five. About 10 percent of patients develop what
is known as post-concussion syndrome (PCS). This is a condition
marked by persistent headaches for two weeks to several months after the
concussion. The patient may also have nausea and vomiting, or difficulty
reading or concentrating on their work. PCS usually goes away on its
own. If it persists after a few months, the patient will usually be referred
to a neurologist for further evaluation.
The effects of concussions tend to add up over time; it is known, for
example, that each concussion a person sustains makes it easier for them
to suffer another concussion in the future. Repeated concussions can lead
to permanent loss of memory and depression or other psychiatric disorders.
Professional athletes are particularly likely to suffer long-term injuries
from repeated concussions; several studies have found that the rate of
depression is three times higher and the risk of Alzheimer disease five
times higher in athletes who have had three or more concussions.