What are some common sleep problems for people with headaches?
Insomnia
Insomnia is the most common sleep problem for people with headaches. Insomnia is trouble falling asleep and/or staying asleep, waking up too early and not being able to get back to sleep, or not feeling refreshed when waking up.
Simple strategies called sleep hygiene can help people sleep well and stay alert during the day. Research has shown that sleep hygiene helps lessen headaches. You’ll learn more about sleep hygiene in Part 4 of the module.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
OSA is the second most common sleep problem for people who have headaches. OSA is when a person stops breathing for short periods while they sleep. This happens because their airway doesn’t stay open like it’s supposed to. OSA is more common in men than women.
You may have OSA if:
- you snore
- you feel very tired during the day
- someone has noticed that you seem to stop breathing during the night
Some risk factors for OSA are:
- obesity
- long-term use of alcohol, sedatives, muscle relaxants, or medicine with codeine or morphine
When OSA is diagnosed and treated, both OSA and headaches can get better. OSA is usually diagnosed with an overnight sleep study. Many people with sleep apnea have to use a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine at night. The CPAP machine helps keep the airway open. If you think you may have sleep apnea, talk to your doctor, who may refer you to a sleep specialist.
Other Breathing Problems
Other breathing problems at night like snoring and upper airway resistance syndrome (UARS) have also been linked to headaches. With UARS, the airway narrows and the lungs and diaphragm have to work harder. If UARS isn’t treated, it may turn into sleep apnea. Treatments for UARS include mouth splints, surgery, weight loss, and sleeping on the side instead of the back.
