Managing Sleepiness After Traumatic Brain Injury

Sleepiness is common in patients who have sustained traumatic brain injuries (TBI). Pharmacologic intervention may be required to help address sleepiness, because problems with sleep regulation have been described in this population. But it is not always appropriate to address sleepiness by initiating such medications, because there are many reasons why a patient may exhibit sleepiness after TBI. In addition, medications commonly used to help with sleep may not necessarily be benign or have the desired outcome. There are no clear guidelines that help clinicians determine when it is appropriate to start medications to enhance sleep. This case scenario and the following point/counterpoint discussion addresses this common problem. (Source: PM and R)

Related posts:

1. The Use of Nasal Trumpet in a Traumatic Brain Injury Patient With Obstructive Sleep Apnea
2. Sleep disturbance and melatonin levels following traumatic brain injury. – Shekleton JA, Parcell DL, Redman JR, Phipps-Nelson J, Ponsford JL, Rajaratnam SM.
3. Do sleep difficulties exacerbate deficits in sustained attention following traumatic brain injury? – Bloomfield IL, Espie CA, Evans JJ.
4. Poster 70: Using Prazosin to Improve Sleep as the Initial Treatment of Operations Iraqi or Enduring Freedom Veterans With Blast-induced Mild TBI
5. What is the role for decompressive craniectomy in severe traumatic brain injury? Re: Decompressive craniectomy: Surgical control of intracranial hypertension may improve outcome

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