A concussion is no laughing matter It's something we see in cartoons all the time; a character gets hit in the head and stars suddenly float in the air with the cartoon looking dazed. However, just a few seconds later the cartoon returns to action. This may seem funny in the latest Tom and Jerry saga or Coyote and Roadrunner, but it's not so funny in real life. Seeing stars, feeling dizzy, and losing consciousness can be a type of brain injury called a concussion. A concussion, simply put, is a temporary loss of normal brain function caused by a sudden shock or blow to the head. Concussions and other types of brain injuries are quite common. According to the Brain Injury Association of America, “every 21 seconds, someone in the United States suffers from a brain injury.” Most doctors consider concussions to be a mild form of brain injury because they are usually not life-threatening (cdc.gov). Even so, the effects of concussions can be serious. Any blow to the head can justify a concussion. Sports accidents, falls, fights and road accidents are the most important...