Is It True That You Should Keep Someone Awake Who Has Sustained a TBI?

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Comments (60)

Please remember, we are not able to give medical or legal advice. If you have medical concerns, please consult your doctor. All posted comments are the views and opinions of the poster only.

I went to ER. The only thing they did was address all the cuts on my face! It was weeks before a CT was done! A year later things got very crazy for us when a MRI was done and they could see the damage!! This also was done at another Hospital!! So don't just say "ok" if you feel something is wrong!! If you see changes in the person after the fall keep looking for the "why"!!

It can take time for these things to show up on a CT scan , so doing one right away may not have shown anything anyways. As far as an MRI, this is usually not done right away in the ER unless there are severe concerning neurological symptoms

If someone just wrecked on a bike, fell when they were playing, or just had a big spill and hit their head, it hurts and scares them to the point their adrenaline level spikes very high. I've noticed when someone is scared to the point of crying in a traumatic incident they tend to fall asleep soon after they come down from that adrenaline rush. Couldn't this be the reason why someone might fall asleep soon after they experience a hit to the head during a somewhat traumatic experience and not just the hit to the head?

That's exactly what happened to me. I have really bad anxiety and I hit my head, thinking it was bad I freaked out. My adrenaline kicked and then afterwards I was sleepy. I went to the E.R. and they said I was fine so they didn't run a CT scan. This all happened tonight... Go figure

You obviously won't know if they sustained a "brain injury" as you can't directly see the brain (hopefully!). To state what he said another way, "within six hours of a head injury". The terms head injury and traumatic brain injury are often used interchangeably as somebody who sustains a good-sized head injury will often have a brain injury as well. However, "brain injuries" present on a wide spectrum from "really no injury at all" to "concussions" to "brain bleeds". That being said, not everybody who gets knocked in the noggin needs to be evaluated in an emergency department. Concussions in and of themselves are NOT life-threatening, and no treatment is needed (other than rest). However, one cannot tell if the patient has a more serious brain injury (such as a bleed). This is why it is important to pay attention to symptoms. Somebody who becomes very lethargic, difficult to arouse or awaken, may have a severe concussion, but more seriously, may have a brain bleed. A CAT scan is the only way to tell. Symptoms to worry about: excessive vomiting, significant confusion, lethargy, inability to stay awake or awaken, significant difference in pupil size, numbness/tingling or muscle weakness on one side.

What about dizziness?

Have to agree it is terrible idea keeping someone awake with brain injuries. For some one with brain injury it's not only should they go to bed early but also only watch 3 hours of tv a day. If you go against it it can make the person with brain injury very craby and tiered next day or even worse by having an over load witch is like a adrenaline shot.

Yes. Anyone who has had a tbi should go the the emergency room right away

In your article you said anyone getting very sleepy within six hours of a brain injury should be brought to the hospital for a CAT scan immediately. Maybe I don't understand the term brain injury. How would I determine the person had a brain injury? Shouldn't anyone sustaining a hard blow to the head be checked at a hospital?

Checking dilation of their pupils is how you can tell if they’ve suffered from traumatic brain injuries. Simply turn off the lights, lift a flashlight near their eyes. If their pupils dilate, they’re ok. If they don’t, that’s when they should be checked out at the ER.

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