What is a Concussion?
CON•CUS•SION – pronunciation (kn-kshn) n. from Latin concussion, concussio, from concutere to shake violently, from com- + quatere to shake. A cerebral concussion is a traumatically induced temporary alteration in consciousness and brain processes. It may involve being knocked out (loss of consciousness) or forgetfulness (amnesia) for a period of time before or after the injury. There is a wide variety of symptoms which may occur immediately or sometime after the injury (see list below). Typically, you will be symptom free from a concussion within 7-14 days, but in some cases symptoms may last longer. Also known as: mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI). The definition of concussion is controversial.
A concussion is a brain injury that is caused by a sudden blow to the head or to the body. The blow shakes the brain inside the skull, which temporarily prevents the brain from working normally. Some people have obvious symptoms of a concussion (such as passing out or feeling lightheaded), while others do not. With rest, most people fully recover from concussions within a few hours to a few weeks. On rare occasions, concussions cause more serious problems. Repeated concussions or a severe concussion may require surgery or lead to long-lasting problems with movement, learning, or speaking. Because of the small chance of permanent brain problems, it is important to contact a doctor if you or someone you know has symptoms of a concussion. What causes a concussion? Your brain is a soft organ that is surrounded by spinal fluid and protected by your hard skull. Normally, the fluid around your brain acts like a cushion that keeps your brain from banging into your skull. But if your head or yo
A concussion is a traumatic injury to the brain caused by a sharp blow or sudden stop following an event. Ordinarily the brain floats inside the skull in a protective pool of spinal fluid, but certain actions like a hard tackle or a car accident can literally slam the entire brain against the skull’s interior walls. The resulting damage can be mild to severe, depending on the intensity of the blow and the brain’s ability to realign itself afterwards. Many people recover from a mild concussion within hours, but others may exhibit symptoms for weeks after the event. A typical concussion scenario may play out during a sporting event such as football. A defensive player may make a hard tackle on the quarterback after a pass, and the quarterback will fall down to the ground. Meanwhile, the quarterback’s brain tries to remain focused in one direction while his body is violently thrown in another. When the quarterback strikes the ground, his brain is jolted from the momentum. For a few minute
