ConcussionMedical Author:
John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP
John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEPJohn P. Cunha, DO, is a U.S. board-certified Emergency Medicine Physician. Dr. Cunha's educational background includes a BS in Biology from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, and a DO from the Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences in Kansas City, MO. He completed residency training in Emergency Medicine at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in Newark, New Jersey. Medical Editor:
Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor
Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical EditorMelissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.
Concussion – A Knock to the HeadMedical Author: Benjamin C. Wedro, MD, FAAEM
Patients are brought to the hospital after being hit in the head, and the question asked is whether a concussion occurred. Then there is the other question, under the surface, whose words are too frightful to ask: "Is there bleeding in the brain?" This is quickly followed by: "We thought he should be checked because we were afraid for him to go to sleep." So, the decision remains: who needs a CT scan to make sure there is no bleeding, and who gets to go home and sleep well in their own bed? Top Searched Concussion Terms
symptoms,
treatment, signs, cochlear, head injury, mild concussion, care for a concussion, post concussion syndrome
Concussion OverviewThe term concussion describes an injury to the brain resulting from an impact to the head. By definition, a concussion is not a life-threatening injury, but it can cause both short-term and long-term problems. A concussion results from a closed-head type of injury and does not include injuries in which there is bleeding under the skull or into the brain. Another type of brain injury must be present if bleeding is visible on a CT scan (CAT scan) of the brain.
Concussion CausesA concussion can be caused by any significant blunt force trauma to the head such as a fall, a car accident, sports injury, or being struck on the head with an object. Viewer Comments & ReviewsConcussion - RecoveryThe eMedicineHealth physician editors ask:Did you have any residual effects from your concussion? Concussion - Describe Your SymptomsThe eMedicineHealth physician editors asked:What were the symptoms of your concussion? |
It should be football that would provide an opportunity
to talk about minor head injuries and concussion, but instead I get to turn to
baseball and the Yankee – Red Sox series. Eric Hinske ran over Juan Posada at
the plate and while he held onto the ball, Posada headed to the hospital after
the game to be evaluated for headaches. It's a cryptic message isn't it –
"heading to the hospital for further evaluation." 
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Concussion
Head Injury Overview
Traumatic head injuries are a major cause of death, and disability but it might be best to refer to the damage done as traumatic brain injury.
The purpose of the head, including the skull and face, is to protect the brain against injury. In addition to the bony protection, the brain is covered in tough fibrous layers called meninges and bathed in fluid that may provide a little shock absorption.
When an injury occurs, loss of brain function can occur even without visible damage to the head. Force applied to the head may cause the brain to be directly injured or shaken, bouncing against the inner wall of the skull. The trauma can potentially cause bleeding in the spaces surrounding the brain, bruise the brain tissue, or damage the nerve connections within the brain.
Caring for the victim with a head injury begins with making certain that the ABCs of resuscitation are addressed (airway, breathing, circulation). ...
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Concussion »
Concussion has many different meanings to patients, families, and physicians.
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