Rasmus Clasen Greve
Concussion: What to do in the first hours and days
You have hit your head. Perhaps you already know it is a concussion. Perhaps you are in doubt. Regardless, the first hours and days are crucial.
Concussion
Medically reviewed article
What is Post-Traumatic Headache (PTH)?
Post-traumatic headache, commonly referred to as PTH, is a persistent headache that arises in immediate connection with trauma (a blow) or a jolt to the head or neck.
By
Hemi Health
Hemi Health
Facts about PTH
Approximately 25,000 people suffer a concussion annually. The vast majority recover completely within days to weeks.
About 20-30% develop a chronic headache (PTH) that lasts for more than 3 months.
PTH affects more women than men and is seen more frequently in the younger and older segments of the population.
PTH cannot be diagnosed with blood tests and rarely via a scan, so the diagnosis is based on the description of symptoms you provide.
In connection with a concussion, it is believed that temporary changes occur in the function and metabolism of brain cells, as well as in the brain's ability to process sensory input.
With chronic PTH, the prognosis is difficult to predict. For some, symptoms will subside over months to years, while others will experience persistent symptoms.
PTH can significantly affect quality of life.
Symptoms of PTH
- Most people with PTH develop symptoms similar to migraine or tension-type headache.
- The pain can be experienced as a constant sensation of having a tight band around the head or as a pulsating, throbbing, or stabbing pain on both or just one side of the head.
- For some, the headache is constant; for others, it occurs with intermittent flare-ups of varying intensity and duration.
- The headache can worsen with physical activity.
- In addition to the headache, one may experience nausea and sensitivity to light and sound.
- You tire easily and have a high need for sleep.
- Many suffer from concentration and memory problems.
- You may become emotionally affected, typically feeling sad or irritable.
Treatment options for PTH
There is no medical treatment specifically targeted at PTH, but in certain cases, medication for other types of headaches can reduce pain intensity and the frequency of attacks.
Medical treatment is chosen based on the described headache symptoms and thus which diagnosis they most closely resemble, typically migraine or tension-type headache. Preventive medication can in some cases reduce the frequency and intensity of the pain.
If there is muscle soreness and/or tension around the neck or head, it may be relevant to be assessed by a physiotherapist for, e.g., exercises or relaxation.
It is often beneficial to have conversations and support to find tools for managing life with a persistent headache and to avoid falling into medication overuse (MOH), which can potentially worsen your symptoms.
Acute treatment
- Triptans can be effective if the headache is primarily migraine-like in nature.
- Pain relievers such as paracetamol and ibuprofen can help alleviate pain that resembles tension headaches.
“Hemi is a private specialist clinic featuring some of the country's leading experts in headaches and related conditions. We offer thorough assessment and targeted treatment for both children and adults.”
Anna Løfqvist
Head of Brand & Communication
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