“ Compared with headaches not directly attributable to head trauma , post-traumatic headaches are associated with a higher frequency of headache attacks and an increased prevalence of chronic daily headache ,” wrote Dr . Erickson and his colleagues .
There are a number of ways soldiers can develop post-traumatic headaches — both combat-related and otherwise .
“ Head injuries in service members can be related to combat — shrapnel and fragments , bullets , explosions , etc .— but also to falls and motor vehicle accidents ,” says Ann I . Scher , PhD , associate professor of epidemiology at Uniformed Services University in Bethesda , Md . “ There is a lot of interest right now in blastrelated injuries , including repeated mild injuries .”
Scher is currently involved in a study at Fort Carson and Fort Bragg in which she and her colleagues are measuring headache symptoms in soldiers returning from deployment in Iraq or Afghanistan . The research team found that most soldiers — regardless of whether they experienced a TBI — reported headaches after returning home . However , migraine was more common in soldiers who had a TBI .
“ We are doing a follow-up study in which we will be studying their headache symptoms more carefully and will also be following them for one year to see how they do ,” she says .
DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT
The symptoms of TBI vary depending on a number of factors — namely the severity of the injury and how much time has lapsed since the injury , Dr . Erickson says . Headaches are among the most common symptoms of TBI . Other symptoms include dizziness , difficulty with memory and concentration , sleep problems and mood changes .
It ’ s important that soldiers — particularly veterans — learn to recognize these symptoms , Dr . Erickson says . Although it might be easy to downplay the seriousness of headaches or delay treatment , doing so opens the
If you ’ re a soldier looking for help , visit the NHF War Veterans Resource Initiative at www . headaches . org / warveterans .
Know Your TBI
Mild TBI
Characterized by a confused state lasting less than 24 hours , memory loss lasting less than 24 hours and a loss of consciousness lasting less than 30 minutes .
Severe TBI
Characterized by a confused state lasting more than 24 hours , a loss of consciousness lasting more than 24 hours and memory loss lasting more than seven days .
Source : The Armed Forces Health Surveillance Center
door to potential complications , such as chronic headaches , insomnia , depression and anxiety .
For deployed soldiers who suffer a potentially concussive event , the military conducts a medical evaluation as soon as possible . Soldiers also have TBI screenings when they return from deployment and when they enter the Veterans Affairs system , according to Dr . Erickson . If a soldier meets the criteria for TBI , one major goal of the treatment regimen is to avoid a repeat event .
“ A rare but potentially fatal complication is secondimpact syndrome , which occurs when someone has another concussion before they have fully recovered from the initial concussion ,” Dr . Erickson says .
For a successsful recovery , military service members need a treatment regimen that includes medications for headaches , nausea , sleep difficulties and mood changes ; plenty of rest ; and a gradual return to regular activities . Migraine medications may also be necessary for those who develop chronic headaches , Dr . Erickson says .
Regardless of whether the headaches are chronic or less frequent , the important thing is to get them treated as soon as possible . With all of the resources available , soldiers and veterans don ’ t have to suffer their pain alone . HW
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