What is a Concussion?

A concussion is a type of mild traumatic brain injury that can occur after a forceful movement of the head or body. This usually involves a rapid acceleration–deceleration of the brain, which means a direct impact to the head is not always required for a concussion to occur.

Concussion may be associated with a wide range of physical, sensory, and cognitive symptoms. These can include headache, dizziness, changes in balance, neck discomfort, sensitivity to light or noise, fatigue, and changes in concentration. Some people notice these symptoms settle within a few weeks, while others continue to experience symptoms for a longer period.