There is no need to be alarmed! This is not homework (not to mention, schools out!) I’m just too curious to learn.

Why would someone lose consciousness after they receive a blow to the head, or after a fall? Dose it happen because the brain bumps the skull a little hard? Is there another reason, not because of fainting, seizures or a disorder, I mean after a fall?

And IS it true that your brain shuts down momentarily, after the incident, just to prevent further damage?

And if this can cause a comma sometimes, then how would someone regain their consciousness? Is it because the brain “fixes” itself? How?

I can’t find any info about this. So I would appreciate it if you would list a source like a book or a website. As long as the website isn't editable, I’m talking about unreliable sources here ex: Wikipedia.

Need help! Please and thanks.

Are we speaking a blow to the head, even bumping a head? This would be due to a concussion and is the most common of traumatic brain injuries.

Most of the time a person recovers without any lasting effects.

Mayo Clinic is a reliable source.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/concussion/DS00320

“Are we speaking a blow to the head, even bumping a head?”
Yes, I meant a hard blow that will knock someone of their consciousness. I meant the reason why someone would lose their awareness. And I got an answer for it. Thanks.

“And if this can cause a comma sometimes, then how would someone regain their consciousness? Is it because the brain “fixes” itself? How?”
I meant coma. Sorry, if I confused you. And I got an answer for this too from the website you provided. And I found this website that answered “how”: Concussions: What happens and how the brain heals - Chicago Tribune (http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-11-14/news/ct-met-concussions-1114-20121114_1_concussion-program-david-hovda-cells)

I have few more questions!

“…brain shuts down momentarily, after an incident, just to prevent further damage…”
Would you consider this statement to be true? I mean “shuts down” after a knockout.

Let's just say, what if someone doesn't lose their consciousness, when they receive a knockout and they are supposed to lose awareness but they don't, will they die as a result?
I'm sorry; I know my questions are not that brainy.

“…brain shuts down momentarily, after an incident, just to prevent further damage…”
Would you consider this statement to be true? I mean “shuts down” after a knockout.

No I wouldn't say that is true. It all depends on what area of the brain is affected as to whether a patient loses consciousness.


Let’s just say, what if someone doesn't lose their consciousness, when they receive a knockout and they are supposed to lose awareness but they don’t, will they die as a result?

I'm confused. Why would you thing they are supposed to lose consciousness?

You don't die from a concussion. Well, you can, but it's rare. Again it all depends on the area of the brain involved, the amount of force exerted, etc.

"I'm confused. Why would you thing they are supposed to lose consciousness?"

I said let's presume if someone who does not lose consciousness, but they are supposed to, would they suffer more than someone who would lose consciousness? I thought that might be true, but it seems the opposite.
I just thought that someone would lose consciousness as a response to protect the brain from a worse damage. But from your answer and the website I guess it doesn't have anything to do with it.

Thanks for all the help.

If they were supposed to lose consciousness, they would. That is how the body works.

I know, I said "let's suppose". I was trying to prove a point that if someone was "supposed" to lose consciousness but don't would suffer more damage than someone who would.

If they were "supposed" to lose consciousness, they would. You can't change that fact.

I know I can't. That is why I said let's suppose.

You can't say "let's suppose." Medicine doesn't work that way.

Now, I guess I can say that if it did, you would not suffer any more brain damage if you don't lose consciousness than if you do.

Again, it all depends on what area of the brain is affected and the amount of force used.

To confuse you more, sorry, you can add brain bleeds, cranial swelling, those serious and life threatening situations.

Thanks for explaining.
I understand what you're saying completely; unless I miss understood you here:

"I guess I can say that if it did, you would not suffer any more brain damage if you don't lose consciousness than if you do."

I said the opposite. I mean you can say it this way: “I guess I can say that if it did, you would not suffer any more brain damage if you lose consciousness than if you don't.”
Maybe I was being vague, but that's what I always meant.

Again, it all depends on the area of the brain involved and the amount of force.

Okay, thanks again.

With something neurological you can't be that vague. There are many things that come into play here.

I wish I could answer you more in the lines that you would like me to, but you are leaving a lot open for imagination and nothing really scientific.

I appreciate your efforts.

Thank you very much for being so patient with me.

"I'm confused. Why would you thing they are supposed to lose consciousness?"

I said let’s presume if someone who does not lose consciousness, but they are supposed to, would they suffer more than someone who would lose consciousness? I thought that might be true, but it seems the opposite.
I just thought that someone would lose consciousness as a response to protect the brain from a worse damage. But from your answer and the website I guess it doesn't have anything to do with it.

Thanks for all the help.



"Supposed to lose consciousness"? There is nothing saying that a blow to the head SHOULD cause it. It all depends on the type of blow to the head, where on the head one is hit, etc. I do not think there is a specific set of rules for this type of injury.

"Supposed to lose consciousness"? There is nothing saying that a blow to the head SHOULD cause it. It all depends on the type of blow to the head, where on the head one is hit, etc. I do not think there is a specific set of rules for this type of injury.

We discussed that “suppose” in the other comments. But thanks.

“…brain shuts down momentarily, after an incident, just to prevent further damage…”

“Let’s just say, what if someone doesn't lose their consciousness, when they receive a knockout and they are supposed to lose awareness but they don’t, will they die as a result?”

You can say that both quotes are the same; they serve for a single purpose. You can, also, say that the second quote is not necessary.

I did NOT come up with this first quote, I read it somewhere on the internet, probably 3 months ago, and I wish I remember where so I could tell you. The only reason I thought that this MIGHT be true (I’m talking about the first quote) is because when someone is asleep everything in their bodies slows down. Their heartbeat slows; their breathing slows, even their metabolism slow down. So I thought that when someone receives a hard enough blow that will make them lose consciousness, than that will maybe save them from worse problems…somehow.

Especially when I read on this website http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/concussion/DS00320 that taking a break from homework, video games, and other thinking or concentration activities (after a concussion) helps the brain heal. (I am not plagiarizing from the website)

I thought that sleeping (or loss of consciousness) like resting helps too... somehow.
That was enough to make me believe that losing consciousness had some benefits in its part.

If I said something wrong, then, please, correct me.

Resting/sleeping is restorative, helps the body regain energy.

Losing consciousness from a blow to the head is brain damage. A closed head injury.

You cannot compare the two in any way shape or form.

"You cannot compare the two in any way shape or form."

Well, doesn't your body work slower when you're asleep? Do you mean that it doesn't when you lose consciousness?
Will your breathing and heartbeat slowdown in both cases or not?

Will your breathing and heartbeat slowdown in both cases or not?

Again, it depends on the depth of the injury and the area of the brain involved.

"Again, it depends on the depth of the injury and the area of the brain involved."

Do you mean that if someone hit someone on the head, on a certain part, and if that damaged part will be the one that controls breathing; only then that someone will not breathe normally?

What if that someone entered a coma, due to concussion, will this be like sleeping? And let's say that that part that controls breathing isn't damaged; will that someone, in coma, breathe slowly like someone who's sleeping?

Sorry, for all those questions.

A person with damage to the frontal lobe, for example, may often complain of mild to severe memory loss.

Damage to the right hemisphere of the parietal lobe results in loss of imagery, visualization and/or spatial relationships. Damage to the left side of this lobe will result in loss of understanding certain things such as math, reading, writing, etc.

Damage to the hypothalamus results in changes of hunger, thirst, and body temperature.

What you are doing is taking brain damage, yes a simple concussion is brain damage, and trying to simplify it. It's not as simple as you seem to think it is. There is a whole science dedicated to this area. Neuroscience.

Now, you have the 7 cranial nerves. Damage to any one of these can cause blindness, loss of hearing, facial paralysis, loss of taste or smell. The list goes on and on.

It's not as simple as comparing coma, blackouts or sleep

Symptoms of Closed Head Injury

Symptoms of severe closed head injury usually present themselves immediately, while symptoms of mild head injury can show up days or even weeks after an injury. Symptoms include:

Loss of consciousness
Dilated pupils
Respiratory issues
Convulsions
Headache
Dizziness
Nausea and vomiting
Cerebrospinal fluid leaking from nose or ears
Speech and language problems
Vision issues
Emotional and behavioral changes

Prognosis of Closed Head Injury

Degree and rate of recovery is highly dependent upon individual circumstances. The amount of time spent unconscious or in a coma, as well as how much of normal activity is recovered within the first month, are good indicators of long-term recovery.

Found here...

Closed Head Injury | Symptoms, Recovery, Treatment (http://www.brainandspinalcord.org/traumatic-brain-injury-types/closed-brain-injury/index.html)

Here is another comprehensive site that may help you understand.

CDC - Traumatic Brain Injury - Injury Center (http://www.cdc.gov/TraumaticBrainInjury/index.html)

Do you know someone dealing with issues? Is this why you are asking?

Do you know someone dealing with issues? Is this why you are asking?

No, it was just me. I fell once when I was 6 or 7. I lost consciousness for at least a minute. I fell from my bed and hit the wall after I somehow slipped. I fell, on something cushioned, on my back, so I bumped my head only once. I saw a doctor after the accident and he said that nothing seems wrong. I know that for some people symptoms delay for months, but I was observed by the people around me and my behavior didn't change, plus I remember everything before I fell and that is a good sign.
I guess that's why I am interested about this subject at this time.
I do play soccer, but I never head the ball. I realize that a second concussion will take a longer time to heal (Not that I am a good soccer player anyway). But again it all hinges on the area of the brain drawn in and the amount of force.

Anyway, thanks for all the help.

"Oops! You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to J_9 again." Great!

Like everyone else I wondered why the discussion. Could have saved time right from the start if we had known.

As far as "brain(s) shutting down" - when you lose memory, does that mean your brain has shut down? Interview someone who has been in a bad accident, no head injury (no KNOWN head injury) but can't, honestly can't, remember. Is that the "brain shutting down"?

I remember almost nothing of the day my husband died and the entire first week, almost nothing.

Is that the brain shutting down because processing the info is more than the body could/can handle? Or the mind?

(And it's coma, not comma.)

"Is that the brain shutting down because processing the info is more than the body could/can handle? Or the mind?"

Please, read all the comments before you respond or the question.

"(And it's coma, not comma.)" Please, read all the comments before you respond.

"-when you lose memory, does that mean your brain has shut down?"

I think yes (?). Even if someone loses consciousness it does not mean that he/she will lose memory. Like J-9 said, it depends on the area of the brain involved and the amount of force. Not exactly "shut down".

"Interview someone who has been in a bad accident, no head injury (no KNOWN head injury) but can't, honestly can't, remember. Is that the 'brain shutting' down? ”

I don't get it, why should I find someone to interview?

“Is that the 'brain shutting down'?"

No. If you say “shut down” it means the person will die. That is why I said “And IS it true that your brain shuts down MOMENTARILY” (briefly or for whatever amount of time). If your brain stops working completely or shuts down like a computer, than you will be dead.
I don't mean that it will completely stop working when I say "shuts down". Maybe I should've used something else.

"Please, read all the comments before you respond or the question.

"(And it's coma, not comma.)" Please, read all the comments before you respond."

I was very tolerant of you when you asked a Muslim woman some very non-Muslim questions.

Please exercise the same tolerance toward me.

And once again don't attempt who will answer or in what manner they will answer. Perhaps if you asked a question that made sense one time you wouldn't be explaining X posts later.

You don't own this question or this thread or AMHD - I have a few questions of my own I asked and would like someone who is knowledgeable to answer.

I have no idea who you are quoting here - the other quotes are mine. This one is not. "Interview someone who has been in a bad accident, no head injury (no KNOWN head injury) but can't, honestly can't, remember. Is that the 'brain shutting' down? ”

I don't get it, why should I find someone to interview?"

And I don't get this question.

“I was very tolerant of you when you asked a Muslim woman some very non-Muslim questions.”
I promise, if I knew it wasn't right then I wouldn't have said a thing from the first place.

"And once again don't attempt who will answer or in what manner they will answer."

I was not dictating who will answer what. I promise. Anyone is welcomed to say what they like.
Please don't miss understand me. But I was unclear, so yes it's my fault.

“I have a few questions of my own I asked and would like someone who is knowledgeable to answer.”

With all due respect I will ask you- why are you dictating?

"I have no idea who you are quoting here - the other quotes are mine. This one is not. "Interview someone who has been in a bad accident, no head injury (no KNOWN head injury) but can't, honestly can't, remember. Is that the 'brain shutting' down? ”

I think I made a mistake.

""And once again don't attempt who will answer or in what manner they will answer. - I was not dictating who will answer what. I promise. Anyone is welcomed to say what they like. Please don't miss understand me. But I was unclear, so yes it's my fault. I have a few questions of my own I asked and would like someone who is knowledgeable to answer. With all due respect I will ask you- why are you dictating?"


I'm not dictating anything - you seemed offended that I asked a question you thought had been answered. I explained that I added my question to your question because I wanted someone who knows to answer me.

And no one needs your permission to answer - which you seem to believe is how it works.

"No, it was just me. I fell once when I was 6 or 7. I lost consciousness for at least a minute. I fell from my bed and hit the wall after I somehow slipped. I fell, on something cushioned, on my back, so I bumped my head only once. I saw a doctor after the accident and he said that nothing seems wrong. I know that for some people symptoms delay for months, but I was observed by the people around me and my behavior didn't change, plus I remember everything before I fell and that is a good sign."

How old are you now - you are concerned about an incident when you were 6 or 7?

“I'm not dictating anything - you seemed offended that I asked a question you thought had been answered. I explained that I added my question to your question because I wanted someone who knows to answer me.”

No, I didn't feel offended at all, I never even asked the same question you asked. I said it once, and I will say it again, anyone is welcomed to say what they like (repeated or not).

"-when you lose memory, does that mean your brain has shut down?"

From what I understand, you are asking that in order for someone to lose their memory, does that mean they are going to lose their consciousness first. I thought the answer is yes. If I am right, then I can say that your question was not hard to answer (when touching the surface of the overall complicated subject, I presume). Please don't get me wrong here. And I hope you get a right answer from someone who knows more.

“And no one needs your permission to answer - which you seem to believe is how it works.”

Promise; I don't think like that at all. Anyone can say what they feel like.

“How old are you now-"

I'm old enough to understand some things; not an adult YET but still.