DEAR DR. GOTT: My 57-year-old husband was assaulted in May and suffered a concussion. The back of his head hit the pavement hard, and he was punched a number of times in the forehead. He is still experiencing dizziness (like the room is spinning) and blurry vision. The doctor told him that he has post-concussion syndrome and says it may go away in a few months or it make take a year or more. He said there is a small chance that it will never go away.

My husband is extremely distressed by this condition, so we both would appreciate any information you can give. Is there anything that can be done to hasten his healing process? Is there anything that will make it worse that he should avoid?

DEAR READER: Post-concussion syndrome (PCS) is a complex condition characterized by symptoms that last for several weeks or months following the initial injury.A concussion is a brain injury, usually caused by hitting the head. Many are associated with loss of consciousness and amnesia. Other symptoms include confusion, headache, dizziness, irritability, loss of concentration, tinnitus, insomnia, fatigue, sensitivity to light and noise, depression, slurred speech and nausea or vomiting. Some people may not experience symptoms for several hours or even days following the injury. Symptoms generally develop within seven to 10 days following the trauma and resolve within three months.PCS is diagnosed when the patient continues to experience some symptoms longer than normal and other causes have been ruled out. According to www.mayoclinic.com, between 30 percent and 80 percent of people with mild to moderate brain injury will experience at least some of the symptoms of PCS. Up to 15 percent will have symptoms that last a year or longer.There is no specific treatment. Even with knowing the cause, your husband's complaints of dizziness and blurry vision can be difficult to treat. He may benefit from trying an antivertigo/antinausea medication such as buclizine, cyclizine or meclizine. The blurred vision is more difficult. If it is truly part of his PCS, it should resolve over time; however, a visit to an ophthalmologist for evaluation may be in order to rule out other causes that may be corrected easily with glasses or contacts.As for things that can worsen the condition, the most obvious is further head trauma. Your husband needs to be especially vigilant to avoid hitting his head again, causing another concussion or worsened symptoms. If there are certain triggers that aggravate his dizziness, he should avoid those situations. Certain medications may also carry side effects that could compound the problem.Unfortunately, to the best of my knowledge, there is nothing that can resolve the problem other than time. Based on your letter, your husband most likely sustained a major concussion, and nothing can speed the healing process. In the meantime, he should follow his physician's advice, and get plenty of rest, exercise and proper nutrition.To provide related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report "Consumer Tips on Medicine." Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed stamped No. 10 envelope and a check or money order for $2 to Newsletter, P.O. Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.--------------

Dr. Peter Gott is a retired physician and the author of the book "Dr. Gott's No Flour, No Sugar Diet," available at most chain and independent bookstores, and the recently published "Dr. Gott's No Flour, No Sugar Cookbook."