Headache Management: Sleep Strategies

Sleep and Headaches

What you will learn in Sleep and Headaches:

how sleep problems and headaches are related

How Are Sleep Problems and Headaches Related?

Many people who have headaches also have sleep problems.
People with headaches are 2 to 8 times more likely to have sleep disorders than people without headaches.
This link between sleep and headaches is higher for people with chronic headaches (15 days or more per month) than people with episodic headaches (14 days or less per month).

Research on sleep and headaches shows that:

similar parts of the brain control sleep and pain
too little or too much sleep can trigger headaches (especially migraines)
sleep may help stop a headache attack
poor sleep may change an episodic headache pattern into a chronic one
people who wake up with headaches may have sleep apnea
migraine and cluster headaches often happen during a part of the sleep cycle called rapid eye movement (REM) sleep
people with migraines might have less melatonin than people without migraines
depression is common in people who have headaches and sleep problems can be a symptom of depression
both migraine and sleep problems can worsen in perimenopause

Current as of: July 9, 2018

Author: Calgary Headache Assessment and Management Program, Alberta Health Services

This material is not a substitute for the advice of a qualified health professional. This material is intended for general information only and is provided on an "as is", "where is" basis. Although reasonable efforts were made to confirm the accuracy of the information, Alberta Health Services does not make any representation or warranty, express, implied or statutory, as to the accuracy, reliability, completeness, applicability or fitness for a particular purpose of such information. Alberta Health Services expressly disclaims all liability for the use of these materials, and for any claims, actions, demands or suits arising from such use.

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