As we saw in our last post the very first thing recommended by doctors after a concussion is "rest and recovery," including getting as much sleep as possible.  Indeed, the best course of action for someone who has suffered a blow to the head and has concussion symptoms is to be evaluated by a brain injury specialist immediately and to implement a plan designed to give some the best chances for a successful recovery which starts off with maximizing sleep and restful activities.

Enhance Brain Injury Recovery

It's well known that many mild traumatic brain injury and concussion patients suffer from disruptions of their normal sleep/wake patterns and can develop long-term sleep disorders.  Now, many experts are in agreement that how well someone's brain recovers after a concussion may depend on the quality of sleep they get in the days and weeks following their injury.

Another thing they agree on is that additional study is needed to test and develop sleep-related treatments to improve patient outcomes.  One thing in particular that they hope to study is whether a chemically induced sleep (compared to natural sleep) can be an effective treatment option to enhance brain recovery.

One NFL player who believes in the importance of getting a good night's sleep is Tom Brady.  In addition to religiously going to bed around 9.00 P.M. and waking up without the assistance of an alarm, he also does brain exercises geared at winding down, preparing for and enhancing the quality of his sleep.

According to Brady, "The body is a whole system and that includes the brain."  Adding, "I'm building resiliency and staying sharp. I feel like that's really where my edge is."

Brain Injury Attorneys

The attorneys at Heintz Law know that concussions and other traumatic brain injuries are very serious and can have long-term adverse effects.  The seriousness of such an injury is the same whether you are a well-known NFL player, a kid playing youth sports, or an average person who has been hurt in a traffic accident.

If you, your child or a member of your family has suffered a concussion or other traumatic brain injury due to the negligence of someone else, please call us to discuss your claim.