It takes time and the right help to get over a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Good sleep is one of the most helpful things you can do to get through this. Sleep is even more important than usual when the brain gets hurt in a fall, car crash, sports hit, or other event. When you sleep deeply, your brain cleans itself, fixes damaged areas, and makes new connections. If you don’t get enough good sleep, it takes longer to heal, your symptoms get worse, and daily life gets harder. (by Dr. Alexander Jimenez DC, APRN, FNP-BC, IFMCP, CFMP, ATN)
The brain needs sleep to heal itself after an injury. When we sleep, especially during the deep stages of slow-wave sleep, the brain undergoes important repair work. One key process is the glymphatic system, which acts like a cleaning crew. It flushes out waste products and harmful proteins that accumulate throughout the day. After a TBI, these wastes can include things linked to long-term problems, such as tau proteins or amyloid-beta. Sleep also helps control brain swelling and inflammation. TBI can cause neuroinflammation that can last for months or years. Good sleep lowers this inflammation and supports the body’s natural balance. (by Dr. Alexander Jimenez DC, APRN, FNP-BC, IFMCP, CFMP, ATN)