Traumatic Migraine Versus Concussion

Because of the potential long-term consequences related to head injuries sustained in sports, awareness of concussions has increased. Because many concussive symptoms are nonspecific, especially the most commonly reported symptoms such as headache, a problem of overdiagnosis may cause practitioners to overlook other potential diagnoses. Health care providers must still be cautious when ruling out concussions, since missing a diagnosis of concussion can lead to further, sometimes catastrophic, complications. Additionally, the clinician may not adequately address the postconcussive syndrome along with the potential cumulative effects from multiple concussions. However, restricting the adolescent from playing sports unnecessarily may also have a negative impact on the teen’s development and athletic performance. Therefore, the clinician must make a prudent decision on the actual diagnosis when an athlete presents with a headache complaint and must critically counsel the athlete and family regarding when it will be appropriate to return to athletics. Case RepoRt