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

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.

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“…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.

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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.

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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?

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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.

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Originally Posted by Zea

"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.

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"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.

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Originally Posted by Handyman2007

"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.

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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?

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

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