What sleep issues commonly affect people recovering from concussion?

KEY POINTS. Sleep disturbances occur in 30–70% of individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Insomnia, fatigue and sleepiness are the most frequent complaints after head injury.

Is insomnia a side effect of a concussion?

Insomnia is one of the most common symptoms in concussion/mTBI patients. Sleep problems can be caused directly by the brain trauma or indirectly by self-medication, anxiety, and depression.

Why am I having trouble sleeping after a concussion?

In addition, there are several neurotransmitters that regulate your sleep. After a brain injury, it’s possible that the brain is not producing enough of these neurotransmitters. This will make it difficult to sleep during normal hours.

Can a concussion cause long term insomnia?

“We found that people with TBI had an increased risk of insomnia, sleep apnea, sleep-related movement disorders and excessive daytime sleepiness — every sleep disorder we looked at,” said study author Dr.

Is it good to sleep alot after a concussion?

And while that is sometimes necessary (if you have a severe injury and have not yet received medical attention), most of the time, it’s better to sleep as much as you can while you heal. But that’s easier said than done: Many patients experience post-concussion sleep problems.

How do you treat insomnia after a concussion?

Treatments. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has been helpful for some with brain injury associated with insomnia. Some elements of CBT include strict sleep hygiene patterns, which means regular times of going to bed and getting up in the morning.

How long does insomnia last after a concussion?

Despite their pervasiveness and consequences, changes in sleep behavior are not often addressed in the course of concussion recovery. This is important as complaints of insomnia, in particular, have been reported to persist from a few weeks to 2 to 3 years after the initial injury.

Does a concussion go away?

Most people with a concussion recover quickly and fully. But for some people, symptoms can last for days, weeks, or longer. In general, recovery may be slower among older adults, young children, and teens.

Is it bad to go to sleep if you have a 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.

Is it true that a person with a concussion is to stay awake?

If you’ve ever had a head injury or suspected concussion, you may have been warned to stay awake for several hours or to have someone wake you up every hour. This advice stemmed from the belief that falling asleep with a concussion could lead to coma and even death. Sleeping cannot cause serious problems after a concussion.

Is sleeping a lot after a concussion normal?

Although rest is crucial to the recovery process, having a concussion can impact your sleep patterns. According to the experts at the Marshfield Clinic , fatigue is common after a concussion, so some people might want to snooze a lot or have trouble waking up.

Why can’t you sleep with a concussion?

Sleep issues after concussion A concussion can change how well you sleep. You might find that it is hard to get a good night’s sleep. You might have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep. Other factors such as pain, worrying, medications, mood or other medical conditions can also affect sleep.