Concussion
The brain is composed of soft, delicate structures that lie within a rigid skull. Surrounding the brain is a tough, leathery coating called the dura.
The brain is cushioned by blood and spinal fluid; there is very little extra room within the skull cavity. An injury to the head causes the brain to bounce against the rigid bones of the skull. This force may cause a twisting or tearing of the structures and blood vessels of the brain, which results in a breakdown of the normal flow of messages within the brain. There are different categories of concussion. Grade one is a mild concussion. The person does not lose consciousness Grade two is a slightly more sever form. The person does not lose consciousness but has a period of confusion and does not recall the event. Grade three is a classic concussion and is the most severe form. The person loses consciousness for a brief period of time and has no memory of the event. Evaluation from a health care provider should be performed as soon as possible after the injury.
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