By Dr. Fabijan Cukelj. A concussion is a disturbance in brain function caused by a direct or indirect force to the head. It results in a variety of non-specific signs and/or symptoms and most often does not involve loss of consciousness. 

Public awareness on the seriousness of sports concussions has exploded in recent years, most notably following the suicides of prominent ex-American football players for the purposes of allowing their brains to be studied for damage related to their playing days.