Posted by Frank (216.249.95.102) on March 27, 2001 at 20:48:13:
In Reply to: Yes posted by nancyc on March 27, 2001 at 18:20:03:
Concussion is an old word for "traumatic brain injury" (TBI). Medical professionals classify it as "mild" if the patient did not lose consiousness, or "severe" if the patient lost consiousness or is in a coma.
What usually happens in trauma cases (falls, auto accidents, gunshot wounds, and shaken baby syndrome) is that the neurons and axons in the brain or brainstem (connected to the hypothalmus) are damaged by shaking or abrupt movement.
The effects of this can be simulated by shaking a bowl of Jello. If you shake the bowl, the Jello will separate from the sides of the bowl. If you shake it hard, the Jello will crack or break.
In minor cases, no permanent effects are noticed.
In others... minor memory loss, partial paralysis, speech difficulties, and other symptoms (maybe including CH) are noticed. In extreme cases... a persistent vegetative state, or other extreme symtoms may be present.
It is thought that nerve damage and/or damage to the hypothalmus may precipitate migraines and CH in patients where these conditions were not seen before.