Sleep Apnea and Migraines

Being plagued by migraines feels like a curse, as these severe headaches are truly unbearable.

Every year, thousands of men and women rush to the ER or to their family doctors, looking for relief from the intense and relentless pain, as well as the nausea and light/sound sensitivity.

If you can’t quite get a handle on your migraine headaches, no matter how hard you try, there may be an underlying condition that is making your headaches even more frequent.

Sometimes, this underlying health issue is a sleep disorder known as sleep apnea…

This sleep disorder is characterized by gasping and snoring during sleep, as well as by frequent stop-starts in breathing that deprive the brain of precious oxygen during the night.

This type of severe and chronic oxygen deprivation is a prime trigger for severe headaches, some of which have a tendency to strike in the early morning hours.

If your migraines seem to strike more frequently in the mornings, and you can’t quite figure out what is triggering them, you may be experiencing sleep apnea during the wee hours, which sets you up for a host of health problems during the day.

Finding out whether or not you have sleep apnea is extremely important, as it may impact your migraine headaches and it may affect your migraine treatments.

After all, if you’re not treating the root cause of your headaches, the treatments that you are currently using may not do anything but mask the problem for a while.

How to Find Out If You Suffer From Obstructive Sleep Apnea

The best way to find out if you suffer from obstructive sleep apnea is to see your family doctor. Only a trained physician is qualified to order the proper tests and to diagnose your sleep disorder accurately.

If you suspect that your sleeping problems are serious, and that you need professional help to get the deep and restful sleep that you need, it may be time to drop by a walk-in clinic or to book an appointment with your family doctor.

Common Treatments for Sleep Apnea

Most often, doctors recommend CPAP machines to treat sleep apnea. These machines are attached to CPAP nasal masks with soft, supple tubing for a comfortable fit and feel.

Patients who begin treatment for sleep apnea enjoy immediate benefits from their CPAP therapy. These machines regulate airflow to facilitate normal breathing all through the night.

Most times, the cost of CPAP replacement parts, machines, and CPAP nasal pillows will be covered by your medical insurance, so there is really no reason not to try this proven method of curing or alleviating the symptoms of sleep apnea.

The next time you wake up exhausted, headache-y, and primed for a full-blown migraine, remember that your sleeping patterns may play an important role in your general health. Also remember that there is help available…all that you need to do is reach out for it.

To find out more about sleep apnea and its serious side effects and health risks, please browse our archive of articles, or contact a sleep apnea specialist today.