NASCAR and the Anatomy of a Concussion

A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury, or TBI, caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head that can change the way your brain normally works. After the original blow, the brain then hits the skull in a “counterblow” that causes the head and brain to move quickly back and forth.  In more severe cases, often as the result of twisting the neck during the blow, pressure is put on the brain stem.  This is particularly worrisome, as the brain stem is where all basic involuntary life functions are controlled, including heart rate, breathing, sleeping and eating. Bleeding or other damage may occur. Often, people who sustain a concussion cannot remember the events surrounding the blow. Symptoms of a c...

Read Complete Article at Bleacher Report - Motorsports
Article is property of BleacherReport.com