Can You Go to Sleep After Hitting Your Head?

A blow to the head can cause a concussion or a more serious traumatic brain injury Trusted Source UpToDate More than 2 million healthcare providers around the world choose UpToDate to help make appropriate care decisions and drive better health outcomes. UpToDate delivers evidence-based clinical decision support that is clear, actionable, and rich with real-world insights. View Source . About 29% of people experience a concussion at some point in their lives Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source . Many U.S. adults believe that a person must stay awake for at least 24 hours after a concussion , but research shows that, once the person has been examined by a doctor, sleep is an important part of healing Trusted Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) As the nation’s health protection agency, CDC saves lives and protects people from health threats. View Source Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source . Learn how to identify a concussion, whether you can go to sleep after hitting your head, and when to see a doctor.

Is It Safe to Sleep If You May Have a Concussion?

Common wisdom used to be that if a person had a concussion, they had to stay awake for 24 hours in order to avoid going into a coma . However, this claim is not true. Newer research suggests that sleeping after a concussion is not dangerous. 

If a person hits their head and thinks they may have a concussion, they should undergo a medical evaluation right away rather than go to sleep. But once a healthcare professional has conducted a full assessment, sleeping can help with the healing process. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that people sleep at night and take daytime naps where necessary to help healing in the days after a concussion.

That being said, it is harder to notice changes in a person’s mental state when they are asleep. Depending on the case, doctors will decide whether it’s better to let the person sleep uninterrupted or whether it’s necessary to wake them every few hours during the first day and night to make sure there are no new symptoms Trusted Source Medline Plus MedlinePlus is an online health information resource for patients and their families and friends. View Source . 

Know the Signs of a Head Injury

In the minutes and hours after a head injury, a person who has a concussion may exhibit the following symptoms:

• Confusion
• Loss of consciousness
• Memory loss of what happened just before, during, and/or just after the injury
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Vertigo
• Trouble balancing
• Lack of awareness of surroundings
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• A vacant stare
• Slurred or slow talking
• Trouble focusing
• Feeling or acting disoriented
• Emotions that don’t match the situation

After a head injury, a person with a concussion can develop more symptoms later that day or in the following days. These symptoms may include mood changes, trouble thinking, light sensitivity, noise sensitivity, and disrupted sleep. In rare cases, a person may experience eye-related troubles, like temporary partial or total blindness and involuntary eye movements.

Is Sleeping A Lot Normal After Hitting Your Head?

People with concussions often feel extra tired and require more sleep than usual as they heal Trusted Source UpToDate More than 2 million healthcare providers around the world choose UpToDate to help make appropriate care decisions and drive better health outcomes. UpToDate delivers evidence-based clinical decision support that is clear, actionable, and rich with real-world insights. View Source . Getting adequate sleep after a concussion is important, since research has found that people who get less sleep after a concussion take longer to recover Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source . 

Concussions sometimes lead to sleep disturbances that can get in the way of obtaining adequate sleep. After a blow to the head, a person may have trouble falling asleep or find themselves waking up throughout the night. In more serious cases, they may even develop a sleep disorder. Addressing and treating any sleep problems after concussion can help reduce the risk of developing additional problems such as depression Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source .

Speaking to a Doctor After Hitting Your Head 

If you experience a head injury, even if it doesn’t seem serious, seek a medical opinion. Eighty percent or more of people who have a concussion do not recognize it for what it is. Not all concussions cause a loss of consciousness. Additionally, sometimes concussion symptoms don’t show up until later. A trained professional knows what symptoms to look for and what questions to ask.

Doctors generally begin diagnosing a concussion by asking questions about how the head injury occurred. They also ask questions to assess a person’s mental status and determine if memory or concentration have been affected. Then, a neurological exam is conducted and may involve checking a person’s pupil size, eye movements, ability to feel sensations, coordination, and muscle strength. In some cases, a doctor may also order brain imaging in the form of a computed tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In the weeks following the accident, it’s a good idea to visit the doctor again if any new symptoms appear.

“Sleep is an important part of recovery after significant head trauma, and its safety can be ensured after being cleared by a medical professional.”

Dr. Brandon Peters

Sleep Physician, Sleep Psychiatry Expert