FROM DEHYDRATION TO a teeth-grinding habit to something as simple as squinting too much, headaches have a wide range of causes. Sleep disorders can also lead to headaches — just one of many reasons healthy sleep is so important to our overall health.
Insomnia and Migraine
Insomnia is the most common sleep problem for people living with migraine headaches, whether they have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, whether they wake up in the early morning or don’t feel refreshed when they wake up. Insomnia can sometimes follow a migraine attack if the patient sleeps it off and throws off their normal sleeping pattern. It’s a good idea to keep a diary of your sleep and headaches to help identify a link.
Teeth Grinding and Dull Headaches
As mentioned above, teeth grinding or bruxism, especially at night, can lead you to wake up with a dull, constant headache or a sore jaw. Bruxism can be linked to stress, and stress reduction techniques can help. To protect your teeth and jaw until you can identify the causes of the grinding, you can use a night guard, which should also reduce the headaches.
Snoring and Sleep Apnea
One risk factor for chronic daily headaches that you might not expect is snoring. That’s because snoring strongly correlates with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a condition that causes temporary interruptions to breathing during sleep. These interruptions can happen many times in a single night, reducing oxygen levels in the brain and severely impacting the quality of sleep.
A symptom of OSA is frequent sore head in the morning. These headaches would be felt on both sides of the head and go away within an hour of waking up and resuming normal breathing.
The Possible Link Between Migraine and OSA
Even though chronic migraines don’t have the same symptoms as the temporary morning sore head that often accompanies OSA, people who live with migraines are between twice as likely and eight times as likely to have a sleep disorder.
This link isn’t currently fully understood, but if you have OSA and migraines, you can minimize both by avoiding heavy evening meals, late workouts, and using bright screens before bed and keeping a consistent sleep schedule.
Dr. Burman Can Help You Fight OSA Headaches
If you have regular headaches linked to OSA, Snoring and Sleep Apnea Therapy LLC can help. Oral appliance therapy is one of the most effective treatment options for OSA and can help eliminate OSA symptoms like a morning sore head. Achieving healthier sleep can help with other headaches linked to sleep problems. Don’t wait to find out if you’re a good candidate for a custom oral appliance; call today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Burman. You can also learn more about us on our business page, and make sure to get directions before you come see us.