Motor Vehicle Accidents and Post-Concussion Syndrome

Motor vehicle accidents are a major cause of mild traumatic brain injuries, also known as concussions. Traditionally when most people think of concussions, they think of a mild injury that goes away within a week or two. Often this is the case. However, in some cases, a person who suffered a concussion may continue to experience concussion symptoms for months or even years after the car accident. This is called post-concussion syndrome, or PCS. Those who suffer from PCS may experience ongoing headaches, light or noise sensitivity, difficulty concentrating, irritability, and other physical and mental difficulties. In these cases, it is particularly important to consult a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after the motor vehicle accident.

New research into post-concussion syndrome has revealed that some people may benefit from a controlled exercise plan. Many doctors recommend complete physical and cognitive rest for the first few weeks after a person sustains a bad concussion in a car accident. However, after this time, doctors may recommend increasing physical activity so long as it does not exacerbate a patient’s symptoms. One doctor conducted a study and found that PCS patients who were assigned to exercise under medical supervision fared better than their counterparts who did not exercise. These patients were first tested to see how much exercise they could withstand without exacerbating their concussion symptoms. After testing, the patients exercised regularly at a level that would not cause them to experience exacerbated symptoms. After 12 weeks, functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging tests showed that PCS patients who had exercised showed blood flow in their brain similar to that of healthy non-concussed patients, whereas those who had not exercised continued to have abnormal blood flow in some areas of their brains.

This interesting development could help provide a systematic treatment regime for those suffering from post-concussion syndrome.

If you have suffered a brain injury as a result of a motor vehicle accident or slip and fall, our personal injury lawyers can arrange for assessments with leading experts. We can also arrange for faster access to MRI scans so that you can get the diagnostic assessments and treatment you need without delay. Finally, we take the stress out of dealing with your ICBC claim so that you can focus on your recovery.

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