Should Individuals with Serious Head Injury Be Kept Awake?

Last updated 11 months ago

Concussion is the most common form of head injury and can occur from a blow, jolt, or bump to the head. Although these injuries can sometimes be considered less severe than other forms of head trauma, they can still lead to long-term cognitive problems and should always be taken very seriously. If you have ever inquired about first aid procedures for head injuries, you may have heard that you should keep the victim from falling asleep at all costs. This is actually a misunderstanding, as it is generally safe for victims of head injury to fall asleep.

In some cases, the medical professional evaluating the head injury may recommend that the victim be awakened at regular intervals to make sure that their condition has not worsened, as sleep can mask symptoms that arise long after the injury. For the most part, however, sleeping is completely safe and may even assist in the natural healing process. If you do witness a person suffering from a head injury, it is most important to monitor their symptoms closely for the following dangerous signs:

Severe or progressively worsening headache
Abnormal changes in behavior, including lethargy or irritability
Pupils of different sizes
Seizures or convulsions
Difficulty arousing from sleep
Persistent nausea and vomiting
Weakness, tingling, or numbness in the legs or arms
Bleeding from the ears or nose

When any of the above symptoms occur, consider contacting your local emergency medical services immediately. From that point, the physician will provide you with advice for monitoring the patient at home. If you or a loved one is ever in need of emergency medical care, consider seeking treatment at Good Samaritan Hospital of San Jose. Our emergency room is open all hours of the day and night to provide care for any medical emergency. Learn more about our emergency and general healthcare services by contacting us at (888) 724-2362.