Many people with traumatic brain injury (TBI) are up all night and extremely tired during the day. Having a sleep disorder is a very common problem for TBI victims. Unfortunately, this can also put them at risk of other serious medical problems.
Long-Term Medical Problems for TBI Victims With Sleep Disorders
Getting a good night’s sleep on a regular basis is important to a person’s overall health. People suffering with sleep disorders as a result of TBI also face the risk of developing other serious medical problems including:
- Weight gain and obesity. A person who suffers from lack of sleep could find his decision-making abilities impaired and his desire for unhealthy food increased. It could be harder for him to resist the urge to eat junk food, especially in the middle of the night. The result is that the person could gain weight and become obese, which puts him at higher risk for many other health problems, like diabetes and heart disease.
- Heart disease. Getting six hours or less of sleep at night can result in the body producing more chemicals and hormones that could increase the risk of stroke, heart attack, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.
- Memory loss. A person with TBI already suffers with problems remembering things and staying organized. Long-term difficulties sleeping could result in permanent changes to the brain and life-long memory loss.
- Death. People who sleep less than six hours per night on a regular basis increase their risk of dying younger than those who sleep more.
It is recommended that people sleep for seven to nine hours a night. Sadly, this is a dream for many people suffering from TBI, putting them at risk of even more dangerous medical conditions as well as the challenges of living with TBI.
If you or a family member has suffered a traumatic brain injury in an accident caused by a person or business, order our free book, 7 BIGGEST MISTAKES That Can Ruin Your California Injury Case, to start learning about your legal options.
| Related Links: |
