There are many people who believe it can be fatally dangerous to allow someone to sleep after they sustain a concussion. For instance, someone involved in a serious car accident may hit their head and show normal concussion symptoms, such as a minor headache. Others may tell them to stay awake as long as possible because, if they go to sleep, the brain injury could worsen, potentially becoming fatal.
Is this actually true? Can going to sleep make a concussion so severe that it turns into a fatal traumatic brain injury (TBI)?
Monitoring the symptoms
Most medical professionals agree that it is generally safe for someone to sleep after a concussion. Rest can help the brain heal, so taking a nap or sleeping through the night may actually be beneficial.
The belief that sleeping is dangerous stems from the difficulty of monitoring someone’s symptoms while they’re asleep. For this reason, it can sometimes be helpful to wake them periodically to ensure they can still respond to questions or carry on a conversation.
After all, someone could have a much more serious brain injury, such as bleeding in the brain. They may mistakenly believe it’s just a concussion because their symptoms initially seem minor, but those symptoms could get worse over time. If they go to sleep, it may be harder for others to notice these severe symptoms, delaying the medical care they need. However, it’s important to understand that the sleep itself does not cause these complications.
Seeking financial compensation
If you or a loved one has suffered a brain injury in a car accident, it can lead to significant expenses, including medical bills and lost wages. Be sure you know what steps to take to seek financial compensation.
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