Sleeping Safety After Brain Injury: Is It advisable?
In the aftermath of a concussion, it's essential to understand the appropriate care and steps to take. Here, we debunk a common misconception about waking someone with a suspected concussion and provide advice based on current guidance and research.
Firstly, it's acceptable to check on a person with a suspected concussion to ensure their normal breathing and peaceful rest. However, waking them up every few hours is not necessary or beneficial if they have been medically evaluated and are stable. This misconception likely stems from concerns about missing signs of serious brain injury like bleeding.
Current guidance and research show that once a concussion patient is cleared by a healthcare professional, allowing them to sleep is safe and even helpful for recovery[2][3]. In fact, sleep supports brain recovery by restoring white matter integrity and helping the brain heal.
The outdated practice of forcing someone to stay awake after a concussion originated from the idea that falling asleep after a head injury could lead to a coma. However, medical advice now emphasizes early medical evaluation, monitoring in the first few hours, allowing restful sleep, and brain rest to facilitate recovery[5].
Excessive long sleep durations, such as more than 9.9 hours per night in youths during the first two weeks post-concussion, have been associated with prolonged or worsened symptoms. Therefore, monitoring sleep quality and duration is advisable.
During recovery, the recommended approach is to seek immediate medical evaluation after the concussion. If medically stable, allow the person to sleep without forced wakings. Monitor for new or worsening symptoms, such as increased confusion, worsening headache, or vomiting. Encourage rest and gradual return to activities only after symptom resolution and medical approval. Pay attention to sleep disturbances, which are common after concussion and can affect recovery[3][5].
It's important to note that the Cleveland Clinic, a non-profit academic medical center, does not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. If a person with a suspected concussion is not breathing normally, they should be woken up and medical attention sought immediately.
In summary, waking a person with a concussion every few hours is no longer recommended or necessary if they have been medically cleared. Instead, allow unsupervised sleep with symptom monitoring and medical follow-up to promote optimal recovery. Rest is essential for a concussion to heal, and there is no evidence that not letting someone sleep with a suspected concussion is beneficial. Waking someone up with a suspected concussion is counterproductive to the healing process and should be avoided.
Sports participants who experience concussions often require health-and-wellness practices that prioritize recovery. Sleep, a crucial element in this process, has been shown to support brain recovery by restoring white matter integrity and aiding healing, according to current science and medical-conditions research.
It is important to monitor sleep quality and duration, as excessive long sleep durations in youths during the early stages of recovery might exacerbate symptoms, as stated in the same medical resources.
Healthcare professionals recommend neurological-disorders treatments that include immediate medical evaluation after a concussion, followed by regular monitoring for new or worsening symptoms like increased confusion, headache, or vomiting.
Once cleared by medical-experts, engaging in technologies, therapies-and-treatments, and activities that promote mental-health and wellbeing can be beneficial in the recovery process, but should always be guided by appropriate health advice.
