Do you suffer from migraines but I have no idea why? Or do you suffer from migraines and have a hard  time getting enough rest? Well did you know that there could actually be a link between your headaches and you are sleep issues?

Individuals living with migraines are between 2 and 8 times more likely to have sleep problems compared to the general public. If you're able to get better sleep, then that may reduce the severity and duration of your migraines and other headaches. On the flip side if you're able to find a root to your headache that is related to sleep then this could lead to better sleep for you. So finding out the link between headaches and sleep can either help you reduce your headaches and/or get better sleep. Continue reading to find out how headaches and sleep are related.

What is a migraine?

A migraine is a type of headache that is chronic. It lasts for several days and is often reoccurring. Sometimes individuals with migraines can experience an aura that happens right before they are about to get a migraine. Sometimes there is a trigger and other times it is just spontaneous.

Either way these headaches can be extremely debilitating for those who experience pain. Migraines tend to Cluster and various parts of the brain and seem to be unrelenting. There may also be a pulsing or a pounding experience as well alongside of migraine. If you have ever had a migraine or known someone who does then you may understand how these symptoms can make it very hard to have a good night's rest. There are some common sleep disorders that are associated with migraines and if you can figure out which one you may have then that will just help health providers help you.

Insomnia

Insomnia is a common sleep problem for individuals with migraines. It includes difficulty falling or staying asleep,  waking up very early in the morning without the ability to go back to sleep, and And Most of the time insomnia can stem from other chronic pain conditions which can make it very difficult to get comfortable enough to get a good night's sleep.

For example taking a nap in the middle of the day to sleep off of migraine May delay your bedtime and lead to a case of insomnia. By using a headache and sleep diary you may be able to help your provider diagnose you with something that links your headache and your sleep.

Snoring and sleep apnea

Regular snoring can be a risk factor for chronic daily headaches, like migraines. Snoring may be the first sign of an abnormal breathing disorder, however not all of those who snore have obstructive sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea is a disease in which the muscles in the back of the throat relax and the body is unable to continue breathing throughout the night. The individual will wake themselves up subconsciously in order to start breathing again and then we'll fall asleep again and continue sleeping.

The problem with chronic obstructive sleep apnea is that most individuals don't know that they have it. It requires a bed partner to be the one to tell them when they stop breathing, or snore really loud, etc.

Sleep apnea can contribute to a poor sleep because patients are often awakened by a headache or just don't feel like they got good rest after sleeping for the entire night. Symptoms of sleep apnea can include pauses in breathing, midnight awakenings,  frequent urination, night sweats and feeling extremely drowsy during the daytime. A significant portion of sleep apnea related headaches will actually improve or stop after the treatment of the apnea.

Teeth grinding

If you've ever woken up with a dull and constant headache or a sore jaw and maybe a symptom of excessive teeth grinding. Teeth grinding can contribute to mandibular Junction disorders because it is a lot of pressure on such a small little joints repeatedly which can cause injury to the tissue. Individuals who grind their teeth in the middle of the night, also known as bruxism, can harm the teeth and this can be a symptom of excessive stress or poor sleep. Use of a mouth guard may help reduce some of these symptoms.

There are also different types of headaches that can impact the way that you sleep. The most common time for a migraine to  occur is in the early morning. This is because people who take a narcotic before they go to bed are experiencing the weakening of the drug after 4-8 hours. Also the best time to take migraine medication is at the very beginning of a headache however most people are asleep during this time and thus unable to take a medication at a time when it would be most effective.

Cluster Headache

A cluster headache is another type of headache that may develop during sleep. These are excruciating attacks that develop within an hour of falling asleep. So you can imagine if you have one of these headaches right before bed how difficult it can be to stay asleep and how tired you may be the morning after experiencing one of these headaches. Cluster headaches last anywhere from 20 minutes to 3 hours and the pain tends to cluster in one area, like right behind one eye.

Headaches and Sleep Deprivation 

It's important if you have a headache or migraine disorder to look into how this can affect your sleep. If you do not get the daily recommended number of hours of sleep then you may be subject to extreme sleep deprivation. Sleep deprivation can be dangerous and lead to a low-quality life. Sleep deprivation can ruin concentration, mood, and any other part of your daily functioning.

Sleep deprivation can also lead to a host of physical problems including hypertension, diabetes, weight gain, obesity, and any other chronic diseases due to the inability of the body to give you adequate number of hours of rest that it needs for optimal function.

If you are having trouble going to sleep do the migraines then it is very important for you to be able to seek treatment that works for you. You can either work with your primary care physician or you can even work with a sleep doctor who has experience working with individuals who have migraines. By working with either one of these individuals you may find the perfect pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical approach to your migraines.

If you feel a migraine coming on before bed or you think one may come on before bed the best thing you can try is to drink water, meditate, de-stress, keep a sleep routine, and practice going right back to sleep.

If you or someone you know is still having trouble going to sleep or staying asleep and you think headaches maybe the reason then please click the button below to take the free online sleep test and speak to one of our sleep professionals.

https://americanmigrainefoundation.org/resource-library/sleep/