Concussions and Alcohol / / Concussions and Alcohol Concussions are a common type of injury that occurs after any damage to the head. Recovering from a concussion takes time, so it’s understandable that you might start thinking about drinking while you wait to heal.
- However, drinking alcohol with a concussion is a very bad idea.
- To understand why it’s dangerous and find out how long you need to wait before drinking again, it’s helpful to learn more about how concussions affect your health.
- Concussions are a type of traumatic brain injury (TBI) that’s caused by physical trauma to the brain.
Concussions frequently occur after people get punched in the head, fall down and hit their head, or have a car accident that violently shakes their head around. Any time your head is jarred with enough force to stretch, twist, pull, or bump brain tissue, you can end up with a concussion.
Physical symptoms: People often feel dizzy, nauseous, or tired. They may experience headaches and ringing in the ears, and some people have blurry vision. Sensitivity to light or noise is common, and some patients have insomnia. Cognitive symptoms: Concussions make it hard to focus and remember things. Some people may feel like they’re walking around in a fog or feel like it takes longer to think about things. Emotional symptoms: Many experience emotional instabilities, such as irritability and sadness, after a concussion. In some cases, depression and other mood disorders can also occur. Functional symptoms: Some patients may struggle with things like coordination and communication. In severe cases, unconsciousness or seizures may occur. Loss of smell or taste can also occur among some patients.
Concussion symptoms often develop slowly and last for a while. Even if a person feels fine right after bumping their head, they can still have a concussion. On average, it takes seven to 14 days for acute concussion symptoms to resolve. However, patients can still have lingering symptoms for months after a concussion.
- A lot of the symptoms of alcohol use, such as slurred speech, poor memory, and trouble sleeping, are similar to the symptoms of a concussion.
- However, behind the scenes, is affecting your brain in many different ways.
- One of the most noticeable ways that alcohol impacts your brain is by changing neurotransmitter levels.
Imbalance amounts of GABA, adenosine, glutamate, and other neurotransmitters cause issues like decreased caution and increased emotional responses. Even a few sips of alcohol start interfering with usual brain activity. Alcohol is a type of neurotoxin, so it also directly harms the cells of your brain.
- Using alcohol disrupts communication between cells of the brain.
- Repeatedly drinking large amounts of alcohol can also kill brain cells and stop your brain from regenerating tissue.
- Long-term alcoholics end up losing so much brain tissue that their brains are noticeably smaller than non-drinkers.
- Finally, alcohol harms your brain by affecting the rest of your body.
When your body is processing alcohol, it uses up certain vitamins and fails to absorb others. Many alcoholics end up with serious malnutrition that makes it hard for the brain to function. Some may develop Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome which is a type of caused by severe vitamin B1 deficiencies.
Due to the ways alcohol and concussions impact your brain, combining the two can be very dangerous. Drinking during concussion recovery puts you at risk for these issues. The main problem is that alcohol makes it hard for your brain to heal. To recover from a concussion, your brain needs to send nutrients to damaged areas and repair injuries.
However, alcohol is neurodegenerative and directly harms brain cells. So if you drink while recovering from a concussion, the alcohol undoes a lot of your body’s hard work. Patients who drink with a concussion tend to take longer to fully recover. Another issue with alcohol is that it exacerbates concussion symptoms.
When your brain is already dealing with a lot of imbalanced neurotransmitters from the concussion, adding more disruption from alcohol makes the whole situation worse. For example, having a concussion already increases your risk of seizures, and alcohol consumption affects GABA levels and further increases seizure chances.
Alcohol also increases your risk of depression and enhances problems related to memory loss and difficulty concentrating. Many patients with concussions report that they feel more sensitive to alcohol after their injury. Even those with a high alcohol tolerance may find that one or two drinks are enough to make them feel extremely drunk.
- This can be a problem because alcohol impairment is quite risky.
- Patients with concussions can easily underestimate their level of drunkenness and end up doing unsafe things like driving while impaired.
- One of the most essential parts of concussion recovery is avoiding further injury.
- Since the brain is already damaged, even a small fall or light bump to the head can result in another, far more severe concussion.
Therefore, doctors often recommend patients avoid all physical activity in the weeks after their concussion. Since alcohol often causes reduced inhibitions and coordination issues, it’s very risky. Patients can end up tripping, falling, or bumping into things, and that can further harm their brain. 
If you suspect that you have a concussion, the most important thing to do is consult with your doctor right away. They can assess your situation and provide you with personalized advice. Depending on your situation, you might need medication or other,
- Usually, your doctor will recommend that you abstain from alcohol during recovery.
- The general standard of care for concussions includes avoiding alcohol, getting plenty of rest, and taking a break from exercise.
- Patients should only drink alcohol if they are so dependent on alcohol that their doctor has said it will be unsafe to stop using it abruptly.
How long do you need to wait before drinking after a concussion? To be safe, you shouldn’t drink until your doctor clears you. If you want the best recovery possible, you should not have alcohol until all your symptoms are completely healed. For most patients, this will mean waiting at least two weeks to drink after having a concussion.
In some cases, you might need to wait a month or even longer before drinking. Concussion recovery is often an ongoing process. Not only do you have to change your routine and think about what you eat and drink, but you also have to deal with a lot of surprising and unsettling symptoms. For many people, it can take quite a while for them to feel like they are back to their old selves again.
During this time, it’s important to get all the support and care you can. Many people find it helpful to be upfront about their health problems, so their friends and family can provide assistance. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Things like a loved one picking up groceries or a therapist scheduling a session to talk about your concerns can make a big difference.
A concussion can be a stressful, scary time, but it is important to avoid using alcohol. Not only does alcohol slow your recovery, but the concussion also makes alcohol consumption riskier. If you find it hard to abstain from alcohol during concussion recovery, your concussion might also be a good time to rethink your relationship with alcohol.
At Live Free Recovery, we’re dedicated to helping our patients enhance their mental health. Our compassionate, highly-trained professionals can give you the support and advice you need to improve your well-being. If you’d like to learn more about our services, contact our team today,
It’s crucial to consult a healthcare professional for personalized advice on your specific situation. After a concussion, it is generally recommended to avoid alcohol until you have fully recovered and have been cleared by a healthcare professional. Drinking alcohol during the recovery period may potentially delay healing, exacerbate symptoms, and increase the risk of further injury. The recovery time for a concussion can vary from person to person, and it’s essential to follow the advice of your healthcare provider. They will consider factors such as the severity of the concussion, your symptoms, and your overall health before giving personalized recommendations on when it may be safe to consume alcohol again.
: Concussions and Alcohol
Contents
- 1 Can I drink 5 days after concussion?
- 2 Should you drink 3 days after a mild concussion?
- 3 Does alcohol affect post concussion syndrome?
- 4 Does drinking a lot of water help a concussion?
- 5 What should you avoid after a mild concussion?
Can you drink beer after a mild concussion?
Should You Drink Alcohol After a Concussion ? – 
Every brain injury is different. When we use fNCI (a special form of fMRI) to examine patients’ brains, we see some areas of the brain that are hypoactive and some that are hyperactive. The exact combination, along with factors such as balance and blood flow to the liver, determines a person’s symptoms and how they’ll react to alcohol.
- If you experience an increase in symptoms while drinking, we recommend against drinking at all.
- Animal studies suggest that alcohol impairs recovery from mild TBI; as for human patients, it’s inconclusive.
- That said, alcohol can interfere with sleep quality.
- Good sleep is essential for full recovery (whether you’re suffering from acute concussion or post-concussion syndrome).
So if you do decide to drink, do it the right way: Don’t drink right before bed, consume it with food, and don’t drink alcohol shortly after traveling to different time zones (the change to your schedule is hard enough to adjust to without adding alcohol to the mix!).
Alcohol is a toxin. We don’t know if brain injury compromises your body’s ability to process alcohol. Both alcohol and concussion affect neurovascular coupling. NVC is important because brain regions need a certain amount of oxygen at the right times to function. Intoxication can alter your balance and decision making, putting you at risk for multiple concussions, Alcohol affects sleep, which affects the recovery process. We recommend avoiding alcohol if it increases your symptoms.
Ultimately, whether or not to drink alcohol during concussion recovery or while suffering from post-concussion syndrome is up to you and your doctor. But you may set back your recovery in the process. Note: Heavy use of alcohol is common after a TBI, We do not intend to discuss substance abuse in this post. If you need help, try the samhsa.gov helpline,
Can you drink alcohol after brain injury?
In addition, drinking can reduce brain injury recovery. For these reasons, staying away from alcohol is strongly recom- mended to avoid further injury to the brain and to promote as much healing as possible. Recovery from brain injury continues for much longer than we used to think possible.
Is alcohol sensitive to concussion?
The uneasy relationship between alcohol and brain injury Whether we’re on holiday abroad or enjoying the Christmas festivities, an alcoholic drink tends to not be too far from reach for many of us. But after a brain injury, the body’s tolerance to alcohol is greatly reduced, and many survivors find that they are no longer able to enjoy alcohol in the same way as they did before their injury.
- The reduced tolerance to alcohol means that many effects of brain injury are exacerbated after drinking, such as memory problems, mobility issues, speech and fatigue.
- It is clear that there is an uneasy relationship between alcohol and brain injury.
- Survivors are often faced with the challenge of balancing a desire to enjoy the social life they had before they sustained their injury with the acceptance that alcohol now affects them in a different way.
We asked brain injury survivors to tell us about how their relationship with alcohol has changed.
How long after brain surgery can I drink alcohol?
My experience with alcohol after my brain injury I have a few male friends that have and I know that on occasion we all have had a problem with drinking a bit too much booze; not to the point of being violent or the police being called or anything like that, just getting into the habit having a few cans on a night.
- For me, this has easily turned into a habit leading to weight gain, poor sleep and low self-esteem.
- I assume/hope that this is just an issue concerning myself and my friends, but I suspect it isn’t.
- None of us are proud to admit it, especially with there being a stigma around alcohol, but drinking with a brain injury is even worse! It’s true that I know of people that consume a lot more, I look at them and think I don’t even have an issue! As my mother has correctly pointed out in the past, “They don’t have a brain injury though, Brooke!” For us brain injury survivors, our tolerance is far less and in an ideal world, we shouldn’t drink at all.
Nobody wants others to think that they drink too much but I have to admit, there have been times when it has got the better of me, especially when I’ve felt a bit lonely on an evening; it’s easy to open a bottle of red or crack a can open! If we continue to be silent, it can develop into a worse problem.
If nobody wants to talk about it, then it doesn’t get talked about! So I’m going to speak about my experiences in the hope that it might be of help to others. The fact is that alcohol negatively impacts the function of the prefrontal cortex, the frontal part of the frontal lobe, the part of the brain that is specifically responsible for making decisions, processing information and monitoring behaviour.
A very common traumatic brain injury is to the frontal lobe (mine included), making alcohol further exacerbate the problems you already experience. I’m not talking about the weeks and months following my injury, in those earlier days, I was very much focused on doing the best thing for my recovery and had all the hope and enthusiasm of a guy wearing new trainers he got for Christmas and clutching a preplanned workout from ‘Men’s Health’ as he swipes into the gym on the 2nd January.
- The rate at which you improve is rapid at first; I was planning on doing all sorts – I was going to run the length of Great Britain, only eat the healthiest food, climb Mount Everest and goodness knows what else.
- I’m not talking about those positive early days, I mean after some time has passed, maybe more than 3 years later, when those high hopes that I had hadn’t happened and I no longer possessed the same enthusiasm! I remember my neurologist telling me that I should never drink as it is very bad for my brain; I and my family enthusiastically nodded in agreement.
Obviously, nobody was going to argue with that! He was the expert, plus it was the logical thing to do, the brain is very important, I had hurt my brain, so the very thought of purposely engaging in something, like alcohol consumption, that would further damage was just unheard of! This was never a big deal anyway as I found that when I tried it, alcohol affected me in a different way than it did before my injury.
The chances are you will notice the same and may well want to give it up completely, which is exactly what I did for about four years. I would never encourage anybody to drink and if you want to become teetotal for the rest of your life then that is great, you’re a better person than me! I’m just talking about my own experience and that is not something I could commit to.
Every brain injury is different, and every person will have a different experience, but you should certainly STAY WELL CLEAR OF ALCOHOL FOR THREE YEARS POST INJURY as this is the time period when the most natural healing takes place, and it would be so foolish to jeopardise that! For me, the period of time for which I was ‘in recovery’ only lasted so long before I wanted to start doing ‘normal things’ again and besides, I was beginning to find that people having sympathy for me was becoming extremely patronising.
Although the neurologist’s advice made sense in theory, in the real world I didn’t want to be someone that didn’t drink ever again and said things like “I don’t need alcohol to have fun!” (not that there’s anything wrong with that!). My mates and pretty much everyone I knew liked to go occasionally for a drink, the pictures that were constantly posted on social media constantly reminded me of this.
Rightly or wrongly, so much of the social scene, especially in the UK, is centred around nightlife and alcohol consumption. Social media doesn’t help when you see pictures of people you know or used to know, out enjoying themselves – this made it a scene that I wanted to get back to.
There were a few things that I had to be realistic about: that I was now a massive lightweight, that becoming intoxicated in a public place would leave me exposed and very vulnerable and that too much alcohol will really affect my sleep. It’s true that you don’t need it, but upon really thinking about things I realised that it wasn’t the booze I missed so much as the social aspect of having a pint with my mates, all I wanted was to be part of the gang again! I just wanted to have a life again, I was sick of being ‘that guy who had the accident’,
I was so determined to be a part of the social scene again that it was inevitable that I was going to try. Through a lot of trial and (mainly) error I have devised the following rules for going out in bars/clubs:
Can I drink 5 days after concussion?
Drinking with a Concussion: What’s the Problem? – “As a concussion specialist who has worked with thousands of TBI patients, I cannot stress this enough: do not drink alcohol while recovering from a brain injury,” says medical director and founder of Mid-Atlantic Concussion (MAC) Alliance. When it comes to this advice, he’s in good company.
According to, alcohol consumption following a brain injury is known to impair brain injury recovery and is not recommended. After sustaining a brain injury, many people find they are much more sensitive to the effects of alcohol – specifically its negative impact on cognition and an increase in symptoms of depression. recommends that concussed individuals not drink alcohol until they have fully recovered, because alcohol may slow down how quickly someone recovers from a TBI, as well as increase the chance of another injury. It can also make it harder to make decisions. (MSKTC), a resource and information clearinghouse for patients and caregivers run by the American Institutes for Research, recommends refraining from alcohol while recovering from a concussion or TBI in order to give the brain the best chance to heal. The MSKTC also notes that people with TBIs can be at risk for seizures, and that drinking may actually increase the risk of having seizures and can trigger seizures. warn that alcohol and other drugs (not approved by your doctor) may slow your recovery and put you at risk of further injury.
Should you drink 3 days after a mild concussion?
How Long Should You Wait Before Drinking After a Concussion? – The brain is a complex organ, and every injury it sustains heals uniquely, based on the type of injury and severity. Therefore, there’s no standard window of time to wait before drinking after a concussion.
It’s best to avoid alcohol until all head injury symptoms have resolved and then consult your doctor for a final assessment. They can advise you if you should continue being extra-cautious or if you can begin to resume normal activities. To be safe, when you start drinking again, you should do so gradually.
Try not to exceed a safe amount, and track how you’re feeling when you drink. It’s possible for the effects of a brain injury to linger without noticeable symptoms.
How long does a mild concussion last?
Getting Better After a Mild TBI or Concussion There are steps you can take to feel better after a mild TBI or concussion. If you do not think you are getting better or your symptoms are getting worse, tell your healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider may refer you to a specialist.
Older adults Young children Teens People who have had a concussion or other TBI in the past
The first few days
Take it easy the first few days after a mild TBI or concussion when symptoms are more severe. You may need to take a short time off from work or school, although usually no more than 2 to 3 days. Ask your healthcare for written instructions about when you can safely return to work, school, or other activities, such as driving a car.
As you start to feel better
As you start to feel better after the first few days of your injury, you can gradually return to regular (non-strenuous) activities, such as taking a short walk. Avoid activities that make your symptoms come back or get worse.
When symptoms are nearly gone
When your symptoms are mild and nearly gone, you can return to most of your regular activities. If your symptoms do not get worse during an activity, then that activity is OK for you. If your symptoms get worse, you should cut back on that activity.
Taking these steps may help speed your recovery:
Avoid activities that can put you at risk for another injury to your head and brain. Stay connected to friends and loved ones and talk with them about how you are feeling. Having support from family and friends can help with your recovery. Ask your healthcare provider about medications that are safe to take during recovery to help with symptoms (for example, ibuprofen or acetaminophen for headaches). Limit screen time and loud music before bed, sleep in a dark room, and keep to a fixed bedtime and wake-up schedule.
Talk to your healthcare provider if symptoms don’t go away While most people with a mild TBI or concussion feel better within a couple of weeks, some will have symptoms for months or longer.1 Talk with your healthcare provider if symptoms:
Do not go away, or Get worse after you return to your regular activities
Anxiety and depression may make it harder to adjust to the symptoms of a mild TBI or concussion 2 If you have one or more symptoms that last months after the injury, your healthcare provider may talk to you about post-concussive syndrome. Post-concussive syndrome is believed to occur most commonly among people with:
A history of multiple mild TBI or concussions, or Prior health conditions, such as depression and anxiety 2
Stay connected to others during recovery There are many organizations who can help you and your family as you recover. You do not have to do it alone. Keep talking with your healthcare provider, family members, caregivers, and loved ones about how you are feeling. If you do not think you are getting better, tell your healthcare provider. See webpage for more information on organizations that can provide support for persons living with a TBI and their families. : Getting Better After a Mild TBI or Concussion
How long does a concussion last?
After a concussion, it is extremely important to take the time to recover properly. This is because concussions are classified as traumatic brain injuries. They occur as a result of the brain hitting the inside of the skull due to a sudden, strong impact.
Concussions can range from mild to severe, however even mild concussions require a recovery period. On average, it takes approximately 7-10 days to recover from a concussion. However, this can vary from individual to individual and you may continue to experience concussion symptoms for longer than 7-10 days.
Some concussions may take longer to heal and symptoms can last for 2-4 weeks. In some cases, post-concussion syndrome may also develop. Post-concussion syndrome is the occurrence of lingering concussion symptoms for weeks or months after a concussion. Generally speaking, three or more of the following symptoms must be present to diagnose post-concussion syndrome: 
HeadacheDizzinessVertigoFatigueSleeping problemsTrouble concentratingMemory problemsRestlessnessPersonality changesDepression AnxietySensitivity to light or sound
Here is what you should do while recovering from a concussion:
How long should you rest after a minor concussion?
Phase 1: Acute Symptomatic Phase – The acute symptomatic phase is defined as the time from injury, through maximum symptoms, to the beginning of when the symptoms resolve. Typically, this phase lasts less than three days. If you experience any of the following “Red Flag Symptoms during this phase,” you should go to the emergency room:
- Loss of consciousness for more than one minute
- Increasing confusion or inability to stay awake
- Repetitive vomiting
- Seizure or convulsion
- Severe or increasing headache
- Severe neck pain
- Weakness, tingling, or burning in arms or legs
- Persistent double vision or loss of vision
- Increasingly restless, agitated, or combative
In the first one to two days after suffering a concussion, near complete rest is important. Even though symptoms during the acute symptomatic phase may be quite limiting, returning to light thinking and physical activities should start after the first couple of days. Examples of light thinking activity include:
- Watching TV
- Pleasure reading (if tolerated)
- Listening to music
- Short periods of schoolwork
Examples of light physical activity include:
- Light chores around home
- Short walks
During the acute symptomatic phase, it is typical that thinking and physical activity can make symptoms worse. Exposure to bright lights, loud sounds, and movement may also worsen symptoms. During the acute symptomatic phase, any activity that worsens symptoms should be avoided or limited.
What helps a concussion recovery?
Physical and mental rest – In the first few days after a concussion, relative rest is the most appropriate way to allow your brain to recover. Your doctor will recommend that you physically and mentally rest to recover from a concussion. Relative rest, which includes limiting activities that require thinking and mental concentration, is recommended for the first two days after a concussion.
- However, complete rest, such as lying in a dark room and avoiding all stimuli, does not help recovery and is not recommended.
- In the first 48 hours, you should overall limit activities that require high mental concentration — such as playing video games, watching TV, doing schoolwork, reading, texting or using a computer — if these activities cause your symptoms to worsen.
You also should avoid physical activities that increase any of your symptoms, such as general physical exertion, sports or any vigorous movements, until these activities no longer provoke your symptoms. After a period of relative rest, it’s recommended that you gradually increase daily activities such as screen time if you can tolerate them without triggering symptoms.
You can start both physical and mental activities at levels that do not cause a major worsening of symptoms. Light exercise and physical activity as tolerated starting a few days after injury have been shown to speed recovery; however, you should avoid any activities that have a high risk of exposure to another head impact until you are fully recovered.
Your doctor may recommend that you have shortened school days or workdays, take breaks during the day, or have modified or reduced school workloads or work assignments as you recover from a concussion. Your doctor may recommend different therapies as well, such as rehabilitation for vision, rehabilitation for balance problems, or cognitive rehabilitation for problems with thinking and memory.
Does alcohol affect post concussion syndrome?
Quality of sleep decreases – While recovering from post-concussion syndrome, a stable sleep cycle and the quality of sleep are of the utmost importance. While you sleep, your brain is able to do work innumerable repair processes. Another benefit of sleep is that you don’t eat for many hours on end, so that your cells have a chance to regenerate.
Can alcohol cause a brain bleed?
Chronic alcoholics have decreased concentrations of liver-produced coagulation factors and platelet abnormalities that predispose them to hemorrhagic stroke.
Is concussion a brain injury?
What Is a Concussion? A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury—or TBI—caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or by a hit to the body that causes the head and brain to move rapidly back and forth. This sudden movement can cause the brain to bounce around or twist in the skull, creating chemical changes in the brain and sometimes stretching and damaging brain cells.
What to do 48 hours after concussion?
Returning to sports – You should rest for at least 24 to 48 hours after a concussion. Following this, you can gradually return to normal life and then sport using a step by step approach. In the first 24 to 48 hours you can continue to do things like reading and walking. You should carefully and slowly return to normal life to lower the risk of:
- making your symptoms worse or
- causing new symptoms.
You should only move to the next step if the activity isn’t making symptoms worse or causing new symptoms. If the activity makes your symptoms worse, then you should rest and try again the next day if you feel ready. After the initial rest period, doing some light physical activity can be good for your recovery.
- Relative rest for 24 to 48 hours – minimise screen time and do some gentle exercise.
- Gradually introduce daily activities like reading and some light physical activity like walking.
- Increase study or work-related activities with rest periods, increase the intensity of exercise.
- Part time return to study or work and sports training – you should not take part in any activities that risks impact to your head.
- If you’re not experiencing symptoms after resting for 14 days, you can consider returning to full sports training.
- After 21 days, you can consider competitive sports again, as long as you’re symptom free after 14 days of rest and during training in stage 5.
You should stop experiencing symptoms after about 2 to 4 weeks. Sometimes it can take longer. Everyone’s recovery is different. It’s important to gradually return to your normal activities to reduce the risk of a further brain injury or longer-term problems.
Can you fly with a concussion?
Reading Time: 3 minutes Flying with a concussion, especially a severe one, can be fatal if adequate and immediate medical attention is not provided. By hiring a dedicated air ambulance, you can stack the deck in your favor. The key points to remember about flying with a concussion: A concussion is a minor traumatic brain injury that usually resolves within 10 days.
Does drinking a lot of water help a concussion?
We can replenish these fluids through water. Being dehydrated can lead to impaired performance and slowed recovery. We also know that dehydration can trigger headaches, a common concussion symptom. Remember to drink up!
What should I drink after a concussion?
Water – Water is one of the most important things to consume after a traumatic brain injury. Your brain uses water to digest and absorb all the other nutrients you consume. Drinking plenty of water during your recovery can help your body and brain make the most of the other nutrients you’re taking in. Water can also help regulate your temperature, which is important for post-concussion recovery.
What should you avoid after a mild concussion?
How Do I Recover From a Concussion? – Healing from a mild concussion involves a gradual return to activities that finds a balance between doing too much and too little. For the first day or two, cut back on physical activities and those that take a lot of concentration (such as schoolwork).
- Just relax at home.
- You can sleep if you feel tired.
- No need to have someone wake you up to check on you unless your health care provider told you to.) Calm activities such as talking to family and friends, reading, drawing, or playing a quiet game are OK.
- Avoid all screen time (including TVs, computers, and smartphones) for the first 2 days after the concussion.
If symptoms get worse with an activity, take a break from it. You can try it again after a few minutes or longer, or try a less intense version of the activity. Usually within a day or so, you can start to do more, except for sports and other activities that could lead to another concussion.
Symptoms don’t have to be completely gone for you to add activities. But if symptoms get worse when you do something, take a break from it. You can try again later that day or the next day, or try a less intense version of it. Stay out of all sports and any activities that could lead to head injury (like rough play, or riding a bike or skateboard) until your symptoms are completely gone and you’re cleared by a health care provider.
It’s important to prevent another concussion because repeated concussions can have long-lasting, serious effects on the brain. After a few days, you should feel well enough to return to school, Work with your parents, health care provider, and school staff to create a plan for your return.
Avoid or cut down on screen time. Video games, texting, watching TV, and using social media are likely to cause symptoms or make them worse. Don’t drink alcohol or use drugs. Get plenty of sleep:
Keep regular sleep and wake times. Avoid screen time or listening to loud music before bed. Avoid caffeine.
For the first few days after the injury, if you have a headache, you can take acetaminophen (Tylenol or a store brand) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, or a store brand). Follow the directions on the label for how much to take and how often.
How long does a mild concussion last?
Getting Better After a Mild TBI or Concussion There are steps you can take to feel better after a mild TBI or concussion. If you do not think you are getting better or your symptoms are getting worse, tell your healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider may refer you to a specialist.
Older adults Young children Teens People who have had a concussion or other TBI in the past
The first few days
Take it easy the first few days after a mild TBI or concussion when symptoms are more severe. You may need to take a short time off from work or school, although usually no more than 2 to 3 days. Ask your healthcare for written instructions about when you can safely return to work, school, or other activities, such as driving a car.
As you start to feel better
As you start to feel better after the first few days of your injury, you can gradually return to regular (non-strenuous) activities, such as taking a short walk. Avoid activities that make your symptoms come back or get worse.
When symptoms are nearly gone
When your symptoms are mild and nearly gone, you can return to most of your regular activities. If your symptoms do not get worse during an activity, then that activity is OK for you. If your symptoms get worse, you should cut back on that activity.
Taking these steps may help speed your recovery:
Avoid activities that can put you at risk for another injury to your head and brain. Stay connected to friends and loved ones and talk with them about how you are feeling. Having support from family and friends can help with your recovery. Ask your healthcare provider about medications that are safe to take during recovery to help with symptoms (for example, ibuprofen or acetaminophen for headaches). Limit screen time and loud music before bed, sleep in a dark room, and keep to a fixed bedtime and wake-up schedule.
Talk to your healthcare provider if symptoms don’t go away While most people with a mild TBI or concussion feel better within a couple of weeks, some will have symptoms for months or longer.1 Talk with your healthcare provider if symptoms:
Do not go away, or Get worse after you return to your regular activities
Anxiety and depression may make it harder to adjust to the symptoms of a mild TBI or concussion 2 If you have one or more symptoms that last months after the injury, your healthcare provider may talk to you about post-concussive syndrome. Post-concussive syndrome is believed to occur most commonly among people with:
A history of multiple mild TBI or concussions, or Prior health conditions, such as depression and anxiety 2
Stay connected to others during recovery There are many organizations who can help you and your family as you recover. You do not have to do it alone. Keep talking with your healthcare provider, family members, caregivers, and loved ones about how you are feeling. If you do not think you are getting better, tell your healthcare provider. See webpage for more information on organizations that can provide support for persons living with a TBI and their families. : Getting Better After a Mild TBI or Concussion
How long should you rest after a minor concussion?
Phase 1: Acute Symptomatic Phase – The acute symptomatic phase is defined as the time from injury, through maximum symptoms, to the beginning of when the symptoms resolve. Typically, this phase lasts less than three days. If you experience any of the following “Red Flag Symptoms during this phase,” you should go to the emergency room:
- Loss of consciousness for more than one minute
- Increasing confusion or inability to stay awake
- Repetitive vomiting
- Seizure or convulsion
- Severe or increasing headache
- Severe neck pain
- Weakness, tingling, or burning in arms or legs
- Persistent double vision or loss of vision
- Increasingly restless, agitated, or combative
In the first one to two days after suffering a concussion, near complete rest is important. Even though symptoms during the acute symptomatic phase may be quite limiting, returning to light thinking and physical activities should start after the first couple of days. Examples of light thinking activity include:
- Watching TV
- Pleasure reading (if tolerated)
- Listening to music
- Short periods of schoolwork
Examples of light physical activity include:
- Light chores around home
- Short walks
During the acute symptomatic phase, it is typical that thinking and physical activity can make symptoms worse. Exposure to bright lights, loud sounds, and movement may also worsen symptoms. During the acute symptomatic phase, any activity that worsens symptoms should be avoided or limited.
Can you sleep after mild concussion?
Frequently Asked Questions –
Why can’t you sleep with a concussion? Actually, you can sleep after a concussion. It’s a mistaken belief that you have to stay awake for the first 24 hours. However, it’s important to see a healthcare provider first to monitor for any severe symptoms. How long should you wait to sleep after a concussion? There’s no set time that you should wait to sleep after a concussion. However, it’s a good idea to stay awake long enough to get checked out by a healthcare provider. It is important to catch signs of serious brain damage quickly, and that can’t happen while you’re asleep.
By Adrienne Dellwo Adrienne Dellwo is an experienced journalist who was diagnosed with fibromyalgia and has written extensively on the topic. Thanks for your feedback!