Concussion and Traumatic Brain Injury
Concussions are a form of mild traumatic brain injury. Mild traumatic brain injury, or concussion, can be defined as loss of brain function due to head trauma that resolves spontaneously. With concussion, function may be interrupted.
Even mild traumatic brain injury, as opposed to moderate or severe brain injury, can have devastating consequences. Cognition, including memory, headache, confusion and attention difficulty can result with mild traumatic brain injury or concussion. Even a mild concussion may leave "invisible" but disturbing symptoms, which are indicators of a postconcussive syndrome.
Post-concussion syndrome is a complex disorder in which a combination of post-concussion symptoms — such as headaches and dizziness — last for weeks and sometimes months after the injury that caused the concussion.
Statistics from the U.S. National Library of Medicine 
National Institutes of Health report that
every year, millions of people in the U.S. sustain head and brain injuries. More than half are bad enough that people must go to the hospital. However many do not get hospital attention and go undiagnosed. The worst injuries can lead to permanent brain damage or death. And many more less serious head injuries can also have permanent effects.
Half of all traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are due to motor vehicle accidents. Military personnel are also at risk. Symptoms of a TBI may not appear until days or weeks following the injury. Serious traumatic brain injuries need emergency treatment.
Treatment, prognosis and outcome depend on the injury. TBI - traumatic brain injuries can cause a wide range of changes affecting thinking, sensation, language, or emotions. TBI - traumatic brain injuries can be associated with post-traumatic stress disorder. People with severe injuries usually need rehabilitation.
Concussion is often though of as a minor traumatic brain injury. Technically, a concussion is a short loss of normal brain function in response to a head injury, but people use the term to describe any minor injury to the head or brain. Concussions are a common type of sports injury, auto accident injury, or a blow to the head after a fall.
Repeated impacts, like in sports, or multiple hits to the head, have a cumulative effect on the brain. If you have a concussion you should be sure to watch for several symtoms which may be indicative of something more serious. Unusual fatigue, abnormal headaches, difficulty paying attention, irritability are a few.
