2006-09-30 19:29:03 · 5 answers · asked by matt s 1 in Health ➔ Other - Health
A concussion is a head injury that causes neurological changes (confusion, etc) without serious structural brain damage such as bleeds.
When you are advised not to go to sleep, you are also advised to be around others and have them take you to the ER or call 911 if you exhibit certain changes such as decline in mental status, unequal pupils, etc. These are all signs of a more serious head injury. The reason that you are not supposed to sleep is that your mental status cannot be accurately and easily assessed while you are asleep.
For this reason, YES, going to sleep after sustaining a head injury can kill you. This is because you could be suffering from a slow bleed in your brain that brings symptoms about gradually. If the signs of this cannot be immediately recognized because you were asleep, the bleed could very well kill you.
Be careful and ALWAYS follow the advice of your physician.
DO NOT TAKE MEDICAL ADVICE FROM THE INTERNET!
IF YOU HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT YOUR HEALTH, TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR OR CALL 911 IF YOU FEEL THAT YOUR PROBLEM IS POTENTIALLY LIFE THREATENING.
2006-09-30 19:52:59 · answer #1 · answered by EMT Geoffrey 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, there is no correlation between falling asleep with a concussion, and suffering permanent damage as a result:
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/concussion/page4_em.htm
2006-09-30 19:32:43 · answer #2 · answered by Jared Bachman 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You know, I've always heard that you can.. So I guess I've just always assumed that it's true. I don't know if I have ever actually heard a doctor say those words though. Hmm?
2006-09-30 19:32:20 · answer #3 · answered by controlless_poet 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Rarely. Concussions can be serious but in most cases they don't cause death.
2006-09-30 19:31:28 · answer #4 · answered by nquizzitiv 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes. usually they tell you to stay awake for at least 24 hours afterwords
2006-09-30 19:31:21 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋