Why Many Experts Say a Concussion Should Be Called a Brain Injury

When someone is diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury (TBI), it immediately sounds serious. Doctors often monitor those patients carefully and recommend extended recovery time.

But many people are surprised to learn that a concussion is actually classified as a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). In medical terms, the two are closely related.

Despite that connection, concussions are sometimes treated less seriously than other brain injuries—especially when they occur in children or young athletes.

Doctors have become increasingly aware that concussions can cause lingering symptoms. These may include headaches, dizziness, balance problems, memory issues, difficulty concentrating, hearing changes, and mood disorders such as anxiety or depression.

Even so, people diagnosed with a concussion often return to school, sports, or normal activities sooner than those labeled with a mild TBI.

A 2010 study from McMaster University in Toronto highlighted this difference. Researchers found that children diagnosed with a concussion were about 1.5 times more likely to be discharged from the hospital quickly compared with those diagnosed with mild traumatic brain injury. They were also 2.5 times more likely to return to school and other activities sooner.

Part of the issue may be perception. Many parents, coaches, and even young athletes themselves may not realize that a concussion is a form of brain injury.

Health organizations such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the Brain Injury Association of America emphasize that concussions should be taken seriously. According to current guidelines, including the CDC’s HEADS UP initiative, a concussion occurs when a bump, blow, or jolt to the head disrupts normal brain function.

The risk can increase when injuries happen repeatedly.

Athletes who return to contact sports before fully recovering from a concussion face a higher chance of long-term problems. These may include persistent symptoms, increased vulnerability to future injuries, inflammation, and damage to brain cells.

Recent research continues to raise concerns. Studies published in 2025 suggest that repeated head impacts, particularly in young contact-sport athletes, can lead to lasting brain changes such as neuron loss and damage to blood vessels, even before diseases such as chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) become visible.

Because of these risks, many experts believe the language surrounding concussions matters.

Calling a concussion what it truly is, a brain injury, may encourage patients, parents, and coaches to treat it with the seriousness it deserves and allow adequate time for recovery.