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A concussion is a type of brain injury that results from trauma. Concussions are also sometimes called also sometimes called minor traumatic brain injuries or MTBIs.
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Depending on severity, concussion signs can be very subtle. Your concussion symptoms may start immediately or appear gradually (within hours or days) from the time of a head injury.
Common concussion symptoms include:
If you or a loved one have experienced a severe head injury, see a doctor as soon as possible, even if you don’t have symptoms.
The skull protects the soft, vulnerable brain tissue inside. A concussion is caused when the body or head sustains a blow strong enough to cause the brain to move suddenly and forcefully around in the skull. This movement can “bruise” brain tissue, damage brain cells, nerves, and blood vessels, and create chemical changes in the brain.
Concussions are usually caused by direct blows to the head, falling, violent hits to the body, and whiplash injuries. The most common scenarios involve:
Concussions can be classified based on their severity. Mild concussions may cause no symptoms, while severe concussions may cause significant damage to brain function. Here’s how they are defined, by grade:
Some researchers also classify concussions based on the type of symptoms and location of damage to the brain, including categories for mood, cognitive disability, headaches, vision problems, and loss of coordination.
Young children are at higher risk of concussion due to the size of their heads relative to their bodies as well as lack of coordination, compared to adults. Young adults are also at higher risk due to more frequent risky behaviors.
While it’s not always possible to avoid concussions, some factors may put you at higher risk. For example:
While a concussion is usually accidental and not preventable, you can limit you or your child’s risk of head injury by:
The information contained in this article is meant for educational purposes only and should not replace advice from your healthcare provider.