BrainLine Military
A Service of brainline.org
Turn off text only
Page Utilities
Could My Husband’s Sleep Problems Be Related to Earlier Concussions?
When my husband was in his early to mid-twenties, he sustained three concussions in combat. Two were from incidents involving improvised explosive devices, the third was from a parachute jump that left him unconscious for less than thirty seconds.
He appears to function rather normally, but his sleep is disrupted and he remains agitated more often than prior to his concussions. He worries that his superiors may think that he is attempting to renege on his deployment obligation if he seeks medical advice regarding TBI. He has not been thoroughly evaluated for his concussions, nor can I compel him to visit a doctor for advice. What can be the consequences of delaying or foregoing treatment for someone like my husband? ?
Your husband should be evaluated by a neuropsychologist to assess his neurocognitive and neurobehavioral status. There are a number of behavioral treatments for both sleep problems and neurobehavioral disorders, as well as medications that could be useful. The neuropsychologist should also take a more detailed sleep history to determine further assessment of his problems. The neuropsych evaluation should also assess the possibility that your husband is having some persistent issues with post-traumatic stress disorder.
If your husband is concerned about the impact of any diagnosis on his work status, he could see consultation from sources outside of the military. Delaying assessment and/or forgoing treatment for non-restorative sleep pattern could negatively impact both cognitive and behavioral functions.
Nathan D. Zasler, MD, FAAPM&R, FAADEP, DAAPM, CBIST is an internationally respected physician specialist in brain injury care and rehabilitation.
He is CEO and Medical Director of the Concussion Care Centre of Virginia, an outpatient neurorehabilitation practice, as well as, Tree of Life, a living assistance and transitional neurorehabilitation program for persons with brain injury in Glen Allen, Virginia. He is board certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and fellowship trained in brain injury.
Dr. Zasler is a Clinical Professor of PM&R at VCU in Richmond, Virginia, as well as a Clinical Associate Professor of PM&R at the University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia. He also serves as a consultant in neurorehabilitation to the Northeast Center for Special Care in New York. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Disability Evaluating Physicians, and a diplomate of the American Academy of Pain Management.
Dr. Zasler is a practicing clinician who is involved with community-based neurorehabilitation and neuromedical assessment and management of persons with brain injury, neurodisabililty, as well as chronic pain. www.tree-of-life.com.
The contents of Brainline (the “Web Site”), such as text, graphics, images, information obtained from the Web Site’s licensors and/or consultants, and other material contained on the Web Site (collectively, the “Content”) are for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for medical, legal, or other professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Specifically, with regards to medical issues, always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the Web Site. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately. The Web Site does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, physicians, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned on the Web Site. Reliance on any information provided by the Web Site or by employees, volunteers or contractors or others associated with the Web Site and/or other visitors to the Web Site is solely at your own risk.
