Why shouldnt you sleep after a concussion

All head injuries should be treated seriously. The most common type of head injury is a concussion. It is a jarring trauma to the brain that can cause a person to lose consciousness or have amnesia. What do you do if you are around someone who experiences a serious head injury or concussion? You may have heard that you should not let the person go to sleep, but is this true? It is generally considered safe for people with head injuries or concussions to go to sleep. In some cases, a doctor may recommend waking the person regularly to make sure his or her condition has not worsened.

Many people will go to great lengths to keep a person who has had a head injury from falling asleep. They argue that keeping the person awake will decrease the risk that he or she slips into a coma. This misunderstanding probably stems from hearing about a rare occurrence known as a lucid interval that has been associated with certain types of severe head injuries.

A lucid interval occurs when the initial bleeding in the brain does not cause loss of consciousness. The bleeding eventually worsens and brain structures become compressed. Most medical professionals say it is fine—sometimes even advised—to let people sleep after incurring a head injury.

The American Academy of Family Physicians states it is not necessary to keep a person awake after a head injury. If a person needs to be watched that closely, a doctor will most likely admit him or her to the hospital.

The Dartmouth College of Sports Medicine advises that it is fine to go to sleep after a concussion so long as someone wakes you up every two hours. In a study in the September-October issue of the Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation , researchers reported greater levels of fatigue in people who have had head injuries, compared with those who have not. The researchers concluded that regular rest breaks and increasing intervals of restful sleep should be a part of the rehabilitation from head injury.

If you are around someone who has a head injury or possible concussion, monitor the symptoms closely. It is important to call a doctor or go to a hospital immediately if the person has worrisome symptoms such as:. When a head injury is serious enough to require medical care, a doctor will give you instructions on how to monitor and treat the injury once the person is released from the hospital or clinic.

These instructions will generally not include keeping the person awake and alert. Head injuries. Accessed November 5, Head injuries: what to watch for afterward.

November 5, You may want to take a day or two off from work or school. School or work tasks that require focus and concentration may be somewhat difficult with a concussion. In the first 24 hours after a concussion, you may want to avoid the following activities as much as possible:. If you have significant head pain and are considering taking over-the-counter medication, talk to your healthcare provider first. Medications containing aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen could increase your risk of brain bleeding if you have a more severe concussion.

In these cases, acetaminophen Tylenol may be a safer option. Symptoms that linger for more than a few weeks can indicate post-concussion syndrome. Concussions are typically mild, but they can occasionally cause more serious complications.

If a child with a head injury has any of the above symptoms, cries continuously, or refuses to eat or breastfeed when they normally would after any kind of head injury, seek immediate medical care.

What does concussion recovery involve? A head injury is an injury to your brain, skull, or scalp. This can range from a mild bump or bruise to a traumatic brain injury. Common head injuries…. There are many types of skull fractures, but only one major cause.

Get the facts on fractures and learn about diagnosis and treatment. Dysmetria is a lack of coordination caused by the cerebellum not functioning properly. Discover its causes and…. In the body there are two deep temporal arteries. Find a Clinic. I Am a Concussion Patient. I Am a Healthcare Professional. Hit enter to search or ESC to close. Is it safe to sleep after a concussion? November 21, Can I sleep? How long should I sleep for? When should I wake up? But, can they? Should they?

The new thinking: What are the recommendations for sleep after concussion now? What about kids? Share this entry.