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.

Should you sleep or stay awake with a concussion?

Dr. Alexander says that a concussion is a head injury that sometimes involves loss of consciousness but is not associated with internal bleeding. Unless a doctor says the person needs further treatment, the injured person should sleep and rest.

How long after a concussion are you safe?

Concussion recovery and treatment. Approximately 80 percent of concussions resolve over seven to 14 days, with an average of 10 days. People with concussions should never return to sports or other physical activity sooner than one week from sustaining the injury.

How long should you wait to nap after a concussion?

Frequent napping may be appropriate in the weeks immediately following a concussion, as long as it does not interfere with nighttime sleep. Talk to your doctor about balancing sleep with a gradual return to activities after resting for three to five days16 after a concussion.

What are the stages of a concussion?

There are three grades: Grade 1: Mild, with symptoms that last less than 15 minutes and involve no loss of consciousness. Grade 2: Moderate, with symptoms that last longer than 15 minutes and involve no loss of consciousness. Grade 3: Severe, in which the person loses consciousness, sometimes for just a few seconds.

What position should you sleep in with a concussion?

Make sure you are keeping yourself positioned as close to neutral as possible. This means keeping your head aligned with your spine, regardless if you’re lying on your side or on your back. If you’re lying on your side, you may need to use two pillows to keep your head elevated to the correct height.

Can you test yourself for a concussion?

Since the symptoms of a concussion may vary, your doctor will likely order tests to determine whether your injury caused a concussion. You may also be able to conduct tests on your own at home while you’re waiting for medical assistance.

Is it normal to sleep a lot after a head injury?

Sleepiness is common following traumatic injury, particularly TBI, with more severe injuries resulting in greater sleepiness. Sleepiness improves in many patients, particularly those with TBI.

How do I check for a concussion?

Headache or “pressure” in head.Nausea or vomiting.Balance problems or dizziness, or double or blurry vision.Bothered by light or noise.Feeling sluggish, hazy, foggy, or groggy.Confusion, or concentration or memory problems.Just not “feeling right,” or “feeling down”.

What happens if a concussion goes untreated?

A: Concussion left untreated can lead to long-term complications. Potential complications of a concussion include chronic headaches, memory problems, vertigo, and post-concussion syndrome, which is headaches, dizziness, mood swings, and brain fog that can continue for months or years after a concussion.

When should you go to the hospital for a concussion?

Should I Go to the Hospital for a Concussion? In general, any head injury associated with loss of consciousness, seizures, prolonged confusion or amnesia, neck pain, vomiting or numbness or weakness in arms or legs should be transported to the emergency room in an ambulance right away.

What are the 4 categories of concussion symptoms?

The signs and symptoms of concussion reported within 1 to 7 days post injury (see Table 3-3) typically fall into four categories—physical (somatic), cognitive, emotional (affective), and sleep—and patients will experience one or more symptoms from one or more categories.

Can doctors do anything for concussions?

Physical and mental rest Your doctor will recommend that you physically and mentally rest to recover from a concussion. Relative rest, which includes limiting activities that require thinking and mental concentration, is recommended for the first two days after a concussion.

Do you need to see a Dr for a concussion?

When should I see my doctor? You should see your doctor after a head injury if you have any of the symptoms listed above. You should see your doctor right away or go to the emergency room if you have bad headaches, repeated vomiting, difficulty using your arms or legs, or worsening sleepiness or confusion.

How do you treat a head injury at home?

People can often treat mild head injuries at home. Applying a cold pack to the area can help to reduce swelling. A person can also take Tylenol but should avoid non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen and aspirin, unless a doctor prescribes them.

Why should you not sleep with 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.

How do you know if a bump on the head is serious?

When to see a doctor for a bump on the head
  1. A bulging soft spot on the top of the head.
  2. More than expected swelling or bruising.
  3. More fussiness or sleepiness than normal.
  4. Vomiting.
  5. Loss of consciousness or ‘fainting’ immediately after hitting their head.

Should you put ice on your head if you hit it?

Applying something cold to the injury for up to 20 minutes will reduce external swelling and pain. When a person has a blow to the head, their brain can be shaken inside the skull as well. This may cause a more serious head injury which may make them feel sick or drowsy.

How long should you stay awake?

Adults should stay awake no longer than 17 hours to meet the CDC’s sleep recommendation. People tend to experience the adverse effects of sleep deprivation within 24 hours.