Head Injury Center

Sleep Disorders are among the most observed side effects in a person after a traumatic brain injury. A large percentage of TBI patients have expressed that they are experiencing a change in their sleeping pattern after the head injury. The usual problems of sleep disorders that arise in TBI patients are sleeplessness, difficulty while sleeping, sleeping for longer hours than usual and sleeping at odd times in the day.

Research in this matter has found that as much as 50 percent of the people suffering from head injuries could be having problems in sleeping and the leading problem being sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a type of sleeping disorder in which the person experiences short pauses in breathing while sleeping. The pauses last for one more breaths and continue throughout the time of a person’s sleep. It has also been found that complaints of sleep disturbance are more in patients having a mild traumatic brain injury than those with severe forms of TBI. The major problem of sleep disorders is the decrease in the cognitive functioning ability of the brain. Also, the irritability of the patient increases along with many other problems such as depression and anxiety. Sleep disorders also result in effects that are similar to the symptoms of TBI and if these symptoms are already visible then it tends to increase their intensity. They are known to have an effect on the results of neuropsychological tests that are conducted to assess the changes in behavior and cognition of a TBI patient. Because of all these reasons, sleep disturbances make the recovery of brain injury patients more complicated than before.

It is advised that if sleeping problems are suspected in TBI patients, it should be immediately reported to the doctor or medical professionals so that they can be addressed properly. The detection of problems regarding sleep should be as early as possible so that a line of action can be devised for treatment.

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TBI and Sleep Disorders