Altered Sleep Patterns: A Common Symptom of Traumatic Brain Injury
A lot of people who suffer a traumatic brain injury, or TBI, also experience an altered sleep pattern.
If you’re wondering whether your sleeping disturbances are due to something besides your resting routine and have recently experienced a significant blow to the head, a brain injury may be at the root of your sleep problems.
Let’s go over everything you need to know about altered sleep patterns due to a TBI, why they occur, and what you can do to improve your symptoms. Check the traumatic brain injury symptoms.
Page Contents
Can TBIs Cause Sleep Problems?
Many TBI victims experience difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or feeling rested upon waking.
Since the brain regulates sleep patterns, any trauma and damage to the areas that control this biological function can cause disruptions. This, in turn, can lead to chronic sleep problems that affect overall health, mood, and quality of life.
Why Do TBIs Sometimes Cause Sleep Issues?
Traumatic brain injuries can interfere with the brain's ability to regulate sleep-wake cycles if they damage specific areas.
Injuries to the hypothalamus and brainstem, for instance, may reduce melatonin production, alter circadian rhythms, and cause fragmented sleep, insomnia, or excessive daytime drowsiness.
Sleep Disorders Associated with TBIs
TBIs are linked to a range of sleep disorders, including:
- Chronic insomnia
- Hypersomnia
- Narcolepsy,
- Sleep apnea
These conditions can cause exhaustion, brain impairment, and emotional instability, so it’s necessary to seek medical attention for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Treatment Options for Sleep Disorders Caused by TBIs
Identifying the root cause of sleep disturbances is key to restoring a healthy and consistent sleep pattern.
Treatment varies depending on the severity of the TBI but may include cognitive behavioral therapy, medication, lifestyle changes, and sleep hygiene improvements.
How to Seek Compensation for Your Injuries
If you have had irregular sleeping patterns since experiencing a potential brain injury, it’s best to be safe and make sure your injuries are treated. Medical care can be expensive, especially when your condition requires a lot of tests, as do TBIs.
Here, your best alternative to restore your sleep pattern is to hold the party responsible for your injuries accountable for their actions.
Filing a personal injury claim against a person or entity can help you get the resources you need to make a full recovery. Here’s what you need to do.
1. Medical Attention
The first thing you need to do after a blow to the head is to seek medical attention.
If the traumatic blow to the head just occurred, you should go to the emergency room. In case the blow was a while ago, but you’re still experiencing a disturbed sleep pattern, your best bet is to consult with your GP and take it from there.
During your consultation, make sure to describe the symptoms in detail and highlight that these emerged after a blow to the head.
2. Evidence
Next, it’s important to collect evidence if your injuries allow for it.
In the case that you’re still at the scene of the accident, take note of the weather conditions, whether there are ATMs or security cameras around, and other information that may be important when building your case.
It’s also a great idea to collect witness information, which you can then provide to our lawyers and legal experts to reach out and discuss the accident with eyewitnesses.
3. Legal Representation
Now, it’s time to seek legal representation from a law firm you can trust.
At Brain Injury Law of Seattle, we specialize in helping victims who have suffered from brain injuries because our team has handled countless cases, so we understand the minute details that can ultimately swing a court case in your direction.
Contact the Brain Injury Law of Seattle Today
Altered sleep patterns can be a symptom of an untreated TBI, so it’s important to seek medical attention and run a few tests to help identify persisting damage. Depending on the area that’s damaged, a brain injury can disrupt your sleep patterns and cause insomnia, excessive tiredness during the daytime, narcolepsy, and similar conditions.
There are a few different treatment options for interrupted sleep, but every individual is unique. It’s important to get adequate tests, identify the damaged area, and create a personalized protocol to eliminate your TBI sleep issues.
At Brain Injury Law of Seattle, we’ve helped countless victims obtain compensation for their injuries and overcome sleep issues they developed after a bad blow to the head. Contact us today to book a consultation, discuss your injuries, and determine if you are owed any compensation for your injuries.
Other Areas of Practice in Seattle
Seattle Personal Injury Lawyer | Brain Injury Lawyer | Seattle Bicycle Accident Lawyer | Slip and Fall Accident Lawyer | Seattle Truck Accident Lawyer | Seattle Motorcycle Accident Lawyer | Seattle Pedestrian Accident Lawyer | Seattle Catastrophic Injury Lawyers | Seattle Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer | Seattle Bus Accident Lawyer | Seattle Premises Liability Lawyer | Seattle Product Liability Lawyer | Seattle Wrongful Death Lawyer | Seattle Car Accidents Lawyer | Seattle Maritime Injury Lawyer
Client Story
M.W., Kent, WA
"M.W. was riding his bicycle in a bike lane in Kent. He was a 24 year old elite cyclist in excellent shape. A driver of a truck in the lane next to him suddenly turned right and nicked M.W., making him fall off his bike. He was wearing his helmet. However, when he fell to the ground, his head struck the pavement along with his left shoulder. "
Contact Brain Injury Law
Call or email us for a free consultation, and find out how we can help you get your life back following a brain injury. We are here to help, answer questions, and educate you about what you have to look forward to. We have the medical and legal knowledge to tell you what you are facing and how you can be helped. We pledge to always tell you like it is so you can make informed decisions about your brain injury and how best to help yourself. This is what we do.
