New concussion guidelines called a step in the right direction

New guidelines on the symptoms and treatment of post-concussion syndrome represent a positive step toward the recognition of the lingering effects some concussion sufferers face, says Toronto critical injury lawyer John McLeish.

Experts who helped prepare the guidelines were prompted to release the new treatment rules for family physicians, CTV reports, as increasing numbers of Canadians battle ongoing symptoms of concussions — some lasting years after the initial injury.

Clinical investigation

Dr. Shawn Marshall, a clinical investigator at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, helped create the guidelines for the Ontario Neurotrauma Foundation to recognize symptoms and offer the latest treatment options, CTV reports.

“Symptoms continue for years or even permanently with a certain percentage of the population,” says McLeish, a partner with McLeish Orlando LLP. “Symptoms  include things like headaches, dizziness and fatigue along with some psychological issues like depression and anxiety, and the cognitive-type things concerning memory and insomnia.”

The brain is a “very delicate organ,” says McLeish. “It’s the consistency of Jello. It’s very vulnerable, and you can have post-concussion syndrome without a loss of consciousness, or retrograde or post-traumatic amnesia. The important thing is recognizing it and treating it.”

McLeish says the guidelines, “prepared by some very bright minds,” are a step in the right direction.

 “It advances the recognition and diagnosis and treatment of post-concussion syndrome,” he says.