Headaches After Injury

About one third of head injury patients, or about one million people each year, headache will last two months after the injury. The chronic headache and other accompanying symptoms are known as post-traumatic or post-concussion syndrome. Other symptoms include faintness, poor memory, inability to concentrate, short attention span, anxiety, insomnia, and irritability. Some people become depressed, losing interest in usual activities and pleasures as well as not performing as well at work and school. Less common symptoms include ringing in the ears, spinning sensations or vertigo, fatigue, intolerance of alcohol or medications, fainting, and sexual difficulties. The majority of these symptoms have a physical or neurological cause.

Post-concussion headache is generally constant, dull, and aching. It can be managed by avoiding the overuse of habit-forming medications and avoiding aggravating factors. The same preventative and relief medications used to treat other chronic headaches disorders are effective, as well as biofeedback. Psychological counseling can also benefit the patient. Many of those who have chronic post-traumatic headache will recover completely.