Concussion Care: Avoid Sleep To Aid Recovery

Sleep is an important part of healing from a concussion, but it can be dangerous if the injury is serious. While sleeping with a concussion won't cause a coma or death, it can make it difficult to monitor symptoms of a severe head injury, such as seizures or weakness on one side of the body. Therefore, it's important to check with a healthcare professional before sleeping with a concussion and to have someone wake you up periodically to monitor your symptoms.

Sleeping after a concussion is safe, but it can be harder to spot symptoms of a more serious head injury

Sleeping after a Concussion: Safe, but More Difficult to Spot Symptoms of a More Serious Head Injury

It is generally safe for a person with a concussion to sleep, but it is important to be vigilant about monitoring their symptoms, as it can be harder to spot signs of a more serious head injury when someone is asleep.

Medical Advice Has Evolved

Previously, medical professionals advised that people with concussions should stay awake to prevent slipping into a coma. However, this advice has since been discredited, and it is now understood that sleeping after a concussion will not lead to a coma.

It is safe for a concussed person to sleep if they can hold a conversation and do not exhibit other obvious concussion symptoms, such as dilated pupils or difficulty walking.

The Importance of Sleep for Recovery

Sleep is an essential part of the recovery process, and addressing sleep problems is crucial during concussion recovery. Experts recognise rest as a vital component of recovering from a mild head injury, especially during the first three to five days.

Sleep Disturbances After a Concussion

Concussions can cause sleep disturbances, and it is common for someone with a concussion to feel tired or have trouble staying awake in the first few days after the injury. About two to three weeks after the concussion, some people experience insomnia, which can last from a few weeks to three years.

Monitoring Symptoms

While it is safe to sleep after a concussion, it is important to monitor the person for any concerning symptoms. Family members or caregivers can wake the person every few hours to conduct simple tests, such as asking questions, observing behaviour, and checking pupil size and responsiveness to light. These tests can help alert caregivers to any worrying developments.

When to Seek Medical Attention

If the person cannot be roused from sleep after a head injury, seek immediate medical attention, as this could indicate a serious brain injury or coma. Additionally, if the person exhibits any other concerning symptoms, such as seizures, loss of consciousness, persistent or worsening headache, or unusual behaviour, seek emergency medical treatment.

Sleep is crucial for recovery, but it may be disrupted by concussion symptoms

Sleep is an important part of healing, so getting plenty of rest after a concussion is crucial for recovery. However, difficulty sleeping is a common symptom of a concussion.

Historically, medical professionals believed that people with concussions should stay awake to prevent slipping into a coma. We now know that this is not true, and that sleeping after a concussion won't lead to a coma or death. However, it can make it difficult to monitor a person for symptoms of a more serious head injury, such as seizures or weakness on one side of the body.

If a person is displaying the following symptoms, it is best to avoid sleeping until you can see a healthcare professional:

• Dilated pupils
• Trouble walking
• Loss of consciousness
• Aggressive behaviour
• Repeated vomiting
• Severe headache
• Problems with speech or movement
• Confusion or seizures

If a person is displaying any of these symptoms, it is important to seek immediate medical attention.

In the case of children with a concussion, it is recommended that parents wake them up a couple of times during the night to ensure they can be aroused from sleep. For adults, it is generally safe to sleep after a concussion, provided they have visited a doctor or emergency room first.

Concussion-related sleep disturbances may be due to damage to the neurons that control the sleep-wake cycle. People with a concussion may feel very sleepy and take extra naps during the first week, then have trouble sleeping in the following weeks. They may also experience insomnia, circadian rhythm disorders, and sleep apnea.

To improve sleep after a concussion, it is recommended to:

• Maintain a consistent sleep schedule
• Get enough sleep
• Relax before bed with quiet activities
• Keep the bedroom dark, quiet, and cool
• Avoid electronics, bright lights, caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol

If you have a concussion, you may feel more tired than usual and need to nap during the day

It is a common misconception that a person with a concussion should not sleep because they might slip into a coma or lose consciousness. However, this is not true, and it is now known that there is no need to make a patient with a concussion stay awake. In fact, rest is a crucial component of the healing process, and sleeping for a full eight hours is going to be more beneficial for the person than if they are woken up every hour.

If the person who is injured is awake and holding a conversation, you can let them fall asleep as long as they are not developing any other symptoms such as dilated pupils or issues with walking. For children, it is advised that parents wake them up a couple of times during the night to make sure they can be aroused from sleep.

After a concussion, it is common to feel more tired than usual and to need to take brief naps throughout the day. This is because the brain and body need rest after a concussion. You may continue to feel tired during the day if you are having trouble falling asleep at night or waking up early and are unable to get back to sleep.

Daytime sleepiness after a concussion might also be due to a problem with the mechanisms that regulate your sleep-wake cycle, leading you to feel sleepy at unusual times. You may find your sleep schedule becomes more erratic. Concussion-related sleep disturbances may directly result from damage to the neurons that control the sleep-wake cycle.

To improve your sleep, try to maintain a consistent sleep schedule by going to bed and waking up at the same time each day. Make sure you're getting at least the recommended amount of sleep, and bear in mind that you might need more sleep while recovering. Avoid naps if possible, especially in the afternoon, and keep your bedroom dark, quiet, and cool.

Children with concussions should be woken up a few times during the night to ensure they can be aroused from sleep

Concussions are a type of mild traumatic brain injury. After a concussion, people might experience symptoms such as dizziness, confusion, headaches, and sleep difficulties. It is generally safe for both adults and children to sleep after a concussion, once they have visited their doctor or an emergency room. However, it is important to get checked by a medical professional to ensure there are no serious head injuries.

Previously, it was believed that people with concussions should stay awake to prevent slipping into a coma. However, we now know that sleeping after a concussion will not lead to a coma. The concern is that when someone is asleep, it is more difficult to monitor them for symptoms of a serious head injury, such as seizures or weakness on one side of the body.

For children with concussions, it is recommended that they are evaluated by a medical professional and, once cleared, allowed to sleep as much as they need. In addition, they should rest their bodies and minds for 24 to 48 hours, refraining from sports, electronic use, or school. During the first few nights, it may be advisable for family members to wake up the child a few times to check for any concerning developments. These checks can include asking simple questions, observing behavior, and checking pupil size and responsiveness to light.

Waking someone up frequently can disrupt their sleep, which is crucial for recovery. Therefore, depending on the severity of the concussion, a doctor may advise having an adult family member stay with the child while they sleep, without necessarily waking them up.

Concussion-related sleep disturbances can result from damage to the neurons that control the sleep-wake cycle. Children may be especially vulnerable to sleep problems after a concussion, as their brains are still developing. Sleep issues can include insomnia, circadian rhythm disorders, and sleep apnea.

To promote better sleep during recovery, it is recommended to maintain a consistent sleep schedule, incorporate relaxing activities into the bedtime routine, and ensure the bedroom is cool, dark, and quiet.

To improve sleep after a concussion, keep your bedroom dark, quiet, and cool, and avoid caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol

Sleep is an important part of healing from a concussion, but it can be difficult to get a good night's rest due to the symptoms of the injury. Here are some tips to improve your sleep after a concussion:

Keep your bedroom dark, quiet, and cool

Creating a comfortable environment is crucial for promoting restful sleep. Any light, even from alarm clocks or streetlights, can confuse your brain into thinking it's daytime. Cover electronics, chargers, and other light sources, and use curtains or blinds to block out external light. Keep the room temperature below 72°F (22°C) to facilitate the natural decrease in body temperature that occurs when you sleep. A ceiling fan can help maintain a cool temperature and provide white noise, which may also enhance sleep.

Avoid caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol

Caffeine and nicotine are stimulants that can interfere with your sleep. Alcohol, on the other hand, can disrupt your sleep architecture, impairing the quality of your rest. Avoiding these substances, especially close to bedtime, can improve your sleep after a concussion.

Other tips for better sleep

• Maintain a consistent sleep schedule: Go to bed and wake up at the same time each day, including on weekends. This helps to reset your body's circadian rhythm and promote better sleep.
• Relax before bed: Engage in relaxing activities such as listening to soft music, reading, or taking a warm bath. Avoid bright screens and stimulating activities close to bedtime.
• Avoid napping: Naps can disrupt your nighttime sleep. If you must nap, keep them short and early in the day.
• Exercise: Light exercise, such as walking, may improve your sleep and mood as you recover. However, be sure to consult your healthcare provider before engaging in any physical activity.
• Wind-down routine: Develop a bedtime routine to signal to your brain that it's time to sleep. This can include drinking herbal tea, washing your face, brushing your teeth, or reading.
• Journaling: If you have a hard time quieting your mind, try jotting down your thoughts in a journal before bed.
• Relaxation techniques: Practice diaphragmatic breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, or meditation to promote restful sleep.

Frequently asked questions