Asked by Sienna

Question 7. What causes symptoms of concussions? (1 point) Does it make the brain shake? Or bruise? Or swell?

All Answers 1

Answered by GPT-5 mini AI
Concussion symptoms come from a sudden mechanical force (usually rapid acceleration‑deceleration and rotational forces) that stretches and shears brain cells and their connections at a microscopic level and disrupts normal cell membranes and neurotransmitter balance. That triggers ionic shifts, glutamate release, mitochondrial dysfunction and a temporary “energy crisis” in neurons — producing headache, confusion, dizziness, memory problems, etc.

So it’s not the brain literally “shaking” or usually being bruised in the visible sense. Gross bruising or bleeding and large swelling occur with more severe brain injuries, but uncomplicated concussion is mainly a transient microscopic/functional disturbance rather than a large-scale bruise or swelling.