Should You Sleep after a Head Injury?
Is There Any Danger in Letting a Person Sleep after a Concussion or TBI?
After any type of blow to the head and often in the aftermath of a whiplash-type injury, one of the common symptoms is fatigue. Particularly with a mild traumatic brain injury, one of the commonly prescribed courses of treatment is rest. But it’s commonly understood that, when a person has sustained a concussion or a TBI, you need to keep them from falling asleep, as they may temporarily lose consciousness or even slip into a coma. Is that true? Is there any scientific evidence to support that common assumption?
Can Sleeping Make a Concussion or a Traumatic Brain Injury Worse?
There’s no scientific evidence to support that belief that a person who has suffered a concussion or other head injury should not be allowed to fall asleep. So why has that warning become common after a blow to the head? Most likely because it can make it far more difficult for family or medical professionals to observe some of the other telltale signs of a concussion or TBI, such as a seizure or loss of strength on one side of your body.
Are there situations, though, where you should try to prevent a person from falling asleep after a concussion or traumatic brain injury? Yes. If you observe any of the following in a person who has sustained a blow to the head, you should try to keep them awake until they have received treatment from a qualified medical professional:
- The person’s pupils are dilated
- The person cannot walk without loss of balance or other difficulty
- The person cannot engage in a normal conversation
In the aftermath of a head injury, you may experience changes in your sleep pattern, either finding it more difficult to stay awake or more difficult to fall asleep. Try to keep a regular schedule—don’t let yourself sleep during the day or at times when you wouldn’t normally sleep. Be willing to get a little more sleep than usual, but make certain you get up every day and engage in light activity.
Contact Us to Set Up an Appointment
At Advantage Healthcare Systems, we have extensive experience working successfully with individuals who suffer any type of concussion, TBI or traumatic brain injury. Call us toll-free at 1-877-487-8289 or fill out the form provided below to schedule an assessment. We offer locations across Texas, including Fort Worth, Dallas and San Antonio.
