Concussion
Medical Author: Benjamin C. Wedro, MD, FAAEM
Medical Editor: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD
What is concussion and what causes concussion?
Mild traumatic brain injury, or concussion, can be defined as a short-lived
loss of brain function due to head trauma that resolves spontaneously. With
concussion, function may be interrupted but there is no structural damage to the
brain.
The brain floats in cerebrospinal fluid and is encased in the skull. These
protections allow it to withstand many of the minor injuries that occur in day
to day life. However, if there is sufficient force to cause the brain to bounce
against the rigid bones of the skull, then there is potential for injury. It is
the acceleration and deceleration of the brain against the inside of the skull
that can cause the brain to be irritated and interrupt its function. The
acceleration can come from a direct blow to the head or face, or from other body
trauma that causes the head to shake. While temporary loss of consciousness due
to injury means that a concussion has taken place, most concussions occur
without the patient being knocked out. Studies of football players find that the
majority aren't aware that they had sustained a head injury.
Next: What are the types of concussion? »
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