![]() ![]() Unfortunately, TBI patients’ sleep disorders often go undiagnosed, which means they might not be properly treated. DIAGNOSING SLEEP DISORDERS IN PATIENTS WITH HEAD INJURIES Anxiety and other changes in mood present a sort of “chicken or the egg” dilemma-does the change in mood cause the sleep disturbance, or does the sleep disturbance cause the change in mood? Regardless of which comes first (or if it’s really even that simple), it’s important to talk to Instant Consult’s web doctor about the ways in which you can address any of the symptoms you’re experiencing related to changes in your mood and/or your sleeping habits. In some cases, patients may experience a lot of anxiety following a TBI, which can also be a sign of a sleep disturbance. Aside from the exhaustion, sleep disturbances can cause you to feel irritable, affect your brain’s functioning and ability to concentrate, and take a toll on your emotions. It may seem obvious, but these types of sleep disturbances can be, well, tiring. There are several common sleep disorders that TBI patients may experience, such as insomnia (difficulty falling and staying asleep), sleep apnea (interrupted breathing during sleep), and hypersomnia (excessive daytime sleepiness or prolonged nighttime sleep). In fact, several studies have shown that disrupted sleep impairs the rehabilitation process and has a negative impact on a patient’s quality of life. However, because sleep disturbances can interfere with your ability to sleep, they can interfere with your brain’s healing process following your injury. After a TBI, sleep is especially important because it helps the injured part of your body heal. In general, sleep is necessary for the body and brain to recharge. Why is this the case? Because as your body’s boss, your brain serves as an “internal clock” that tells you when to sleep and when to wake up, which means an injury to your brain can change how well it regulates your sleep schedule. In fact, researchers believe that 30% to 70% of TBI patients experience a sleep-wake disturbance in some form or fashion. It is not abnormal for traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients to experience some type of sleep disorder. ![]() By jasonmaddox On August 1st, 2011 Sleep Disturbance and TBI ![]()
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