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570 School Safety: Athletics Supervision
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Understanding Concussions

A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head. Concussions can also occur if a hard blow to the body causes the head and brain to move rapidly back and forth. This sudden movement can cause the brain to bounce around or twist in the skull, causing stretching and damage to the brain cells and creating chemical changes in the brain.

Concussion Signs & Symptoms

These chemical changes can make the brain more susceptible and vulnerable to other injuries. During this time, the brain is more sensitive to any increased stress or injury, until it fully recovers.

Since one cannot "see" a concussion, as with a broken limb, CAT scans and MRIs are normal with most concussions.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

1-2. A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury caused by _____.

  • exposure to sudden loud impact noise