Can you sleep and wake up with a concussion?

Can you sleep and wake up with a concussion?

Medical experts once warned that people should stay awake if they had a concussion. They based this advice on the theory that sleeping with a concussion could cause a person to fall into a coma or even die. However, medical experts now agree that it is safe for a person to sleep if they have a concussion.

How long after hitting your head do you need to stay awake?

Doctors say not allowing someone to fall asleep after a concussion and needing to wake someone hourly after one are myths. However, surveys have shown that many people still believe you should stay awake for 24 hours after hitting your head. 1 In reality, sleep may be the best remedy.

What do hospitals do for concussions?

1 Sometimes after a head injury, an overnight stay in the hospital for observation is advisable, but it’s rarely necessary. Only a severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) would require an intervention such as surgery. In fact, the most effective prescription for a concussion is rest—total rest.

How long must you stay awake after concussion?

Remember, we’re not allowing the athlete (or concussed) individual to sleep for at least 3 hours after their injury. We’re looking to be sure that they’re not declining in this period, outside of the expected fatigue.

How long should you stay awake after a concussion?

Is it dangerous to sleep after concussion?

Sleeping cannot cause serious problems after a concussion. The danger is that when you are asleep, your family or your doctors are not likely to notice indications of serious brain damage — such as a seizure or weakness of one side of the body.

Can I go to sleep with a possible concussion?

“Therefore, sleep actually is good and helps the brain recover.”. A person can go to sleep following a concussion if he or she is awake and able to hold a conversation. No other symptoms, such as dilated pupils or trouble walking, should be present before sleeping.

Can kids go to sleep after a concussion?

Any child who might have a concussion should be checked out by their doctor or at the emergency room (ER). But it’s OK to allow the child to fall asleep. In fact, especially for young kids, it can be hard to keep them awake. After any hit to the head, though, a child who falls asleep and can’t be wakened needs emergency medical care.

Should you let your child sleep after a fall?

There’s no need to prevent him from sleeping, and a restorative nap after an emotional trauma like a scary fall can be comforting. But his doctor might recommend waking him up every two to three hours to make sure he responds normally.