Concussion Care: Why You Shouldn't Sleep It Off

It was previously believed that a person with a concussion should not sleep as they might slip into a coma or lose consciousness. However, medical experts now agree that it is safe for a person to sleep if they have a concussion, as long as they are monitored for any deteriorating symptoms. Rest is considered an essential part of recovery from a concussion, especially during the first three to five days. While sleeping after a concussion is generally considered safe, it is still important to seek medical advice to ensure there are no underlying serious head injuries.

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 Monitor for Symptoms

It is safe for someone with a concussion to sleep, and doing so can aid their recovery. However, it is important to first check with a healthcare professional to ensure the injury is not more severe.

Historical Misconceptions

Previously, medical professionals believed that people with concussions should stay awake to prevent slipping into a coma. We now know that sleeping after a concussion does not lead to a coma.

Monitoring for Symptoms

The challenge with sleeping after a concussion is that it can make it harder to spot the symptoms of a more serious head injury, such as seizures or weakness on one side of the body. For this reason, it is recommended that someone with a concussion is checked on periodically to ensure their breathing is normal and that they are resting peacefully.

When to Seek Medical Attention

If the person cannot be roused from sleep, call emergency services immediately. A serious brain injury can result in a coma, and while some patients can recover fully, others may experience significant disabilities.

Sleep Tips

To improve sleep after a concussion, try the following:

• Maintain a consistent sleep and wake schedule.
• Set aside at least eight hours for sleep each night.
• Keep the bedroom dark, quiet, and cool.
• Avoid bright lights and screens before bed.
• Avoid caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol.
• Incorporate relaxing activities into your bedtime routine, such as taking a bath or listening to soothing music.

Historically, people with concussions were kept awake to prevent comas, but this is now known to be untrue

Historically, people with concussions were kept awake to prevent comas. However, this is now understood to be untrue. Medical professionals have since discovered that sleep is an important part of the recovery process and that a person with a concussion will not slip into a coma or lose consciousness if they fall asleep.

The idea that a person with a concussion should be kept awake likely originated from the belief that falling asleep after a head injury could lead to a coma and even death. While this advice was well-intentioned, it is based on outdated information and can actually hinder the healing process.

Today, it is widely recognised that rest is essential for recovery from a mild head injury, especially during the first three to five days. Sleeping for a full eight hours is recommended, as it is more beneficial for the person than being roused every hour. However, it is still important to monitor the person for any worrying developments, such as unusual behaviour or breathing irregularities.

If a person with a concussion is awake and able to hold a conversation, it is generally safe to let them fall asleep, provided they are not exhibiting other symptoms such as dilated pupils or difficulty walking. For children, it is advised to wake them up a couple of times during the night to ensure they can be aroused from sleep.

Sleep is crucial for recovery, so waking someone with a concussion is counterproductive

Sleep is an essential part of recovery from a concussion. While it was previously believed that a person with a concussion should not be allowed to sleep, this has been proven untrue. The idea that sleep after a concussion could lead to a coma is a myth. In fact, waking someone up repeatedly can be detrimental to their recovery.

A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury. It can be caused by a blow or jolt to the head or body, which causes the brain to move rapidly. Most people recover quickly from concussions, but some have symptoms that last for days or weeks and need medical attention. It is important to seek medical advice after a concussion to rule out more serious head injuries.

Symptoms of a concussion include dizziness, confusion, headaches, and sleep difficulties. Sleep disturbances are common after a concussion, with around 30% to 80% of people experiencing some kind of sleep problem. In the first week, it is common to feel very sleepy and take extra naps, followed by difficulty sleeping in subsequent weeks. This can lead to daytime sleepiness and an erratic sleep schedule. Sleep issues can last for a few weeks to a few years after a concussion.

To aid recovery, it is recommended that concussed individuals get plenty of rest and maintain a healthy sleep schedule. This includes going to bed and waking up at the same time each day, and getting at least eight hours of sleep. Creating a relaxing bedtime routine, such as taking a bath or listening to soothing music, can also help. Avoiding caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol, as well as bright lights and screens before bed, is also advised.

While it is generally safe for adults and children to sleep after a concussion, there are some precautions to take. For the first few nights, it may be advisable to have someone wake the person up every few hours to monitor for any worrying developments. However, this should not be necessary beyond the initial phase of recovery. Overall, sleep plays a crucial role in healing from a concussion, and disrupting it can hinder the recovery process.

If someone is awake and holding a conversation, they can sleep, unless they show other symptoms

It is safe to let someone sleep after a concussion if they are awake and holding a conversation, and they do not show other symptoms. This is because medical professionals now recognise that sleep is an important part of recovery from a concussion. However, it is important to be vigilant for any signs of a more serious head injury, such as seizures or weakness on one side of the body.

Historically, it was believed that a person with a concussion should not sleep as it was thought that they might slip into a coma or lose consciousness. However, this has since been disproven, and it is now understood that preventing someone from sleeping after a concussion can be counterproductive to their recovery.

If someone is displaying other symptoms of a concussion, such as dilated pupils or trouble walking, it is best to seek medical advice before allowing them to sleep. Children, in particular, should be assessed by a doctor within two days of a head injury, even if the injury seems mild.

Concussions can cause sleep disturbances, and it is common for someone with a concussion to feel very tired or have trouble staying awake in the first few days after the injury. After this, they may experience difficulty falling asleep or waking up early, leading to fatigue during the day. These symptoms can last from a few weeks to several years.

To aid sleep after a concussion, it is recommended to maintain a consistent sleep schedule, avoid caffeine and alcohol, and reduce screen time.

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

It is a common misconception that a person with a concussion should not be allowed to sleep, as it was historically believed that sleeping with a concussion could lead to a coma or even death. However, this is not true, and medical professionals now advise that sleep is crucial for recovery from a concussion.

It is important to note that while checking on a child with a concussion is essential, it is not necessary to wake them up every hour, as this can disrupt their sleep. Sleep is extremely important for the healing process, and children should be allowed to sleep as much as they would like during the recovery period. In addition to adequate sleep, children should also rest their bodies and minds for 24 to 48 hours after a concussion, refraining from sports, electronic use, and school activities.

Frequently asked questions