Can Sleep Apnea Cause Migraines?

We all know the feeling of a poor night of sleep: grogginess, irritability, and inability to concentrate. For those who suffer from untreated sleep apnea, magnify one poor night of sleep by 365. Sleepiness is not the only result of this sleep disorder, though. Sleep apnea can trigger migraines and sleep apnea headaches, too. Here’s what you should know about how can sleep apnea cause migraines and headaches.

What is sleep apnea?

Approximately 25 million people in the U.S. suffer from one of the two main types of sleep apnea.

• Obstructive sleep apnea: Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common form of sleep apnea. When sleeping, the muscles of the throat become so relaxed that they can block or obstruct the airway.
• Central sleep apnea: This form of sleep apnea occurs when the brain fails to send proper signals to the muscles responsible for breathing. This is a malfunction of the central nervous system and is very rare.

Regardless of the kind of sleep apnea, both types have the same pattern. The sleeper stops breathing; the brain notices the lack of oxygen and sends a “wake up” call that makes the sleeper gasp themselves awake. This can happen between five and ten times an hour for up to 30 seconds at a time.

What are common sleep apnea symptoms?

Most sufferers of sleep apnea may not know they have it. In general, a sleeping partner notices the distinctive sudden and abrupt awakening that occurs.

Sleep apnea symptoms vary but can include:

• Daytime drowsiness
• Difficulty concentrating
• Snoring
• Dry mouth
• Increase in cavities (due to dry mouth)

One of the major symptoms that sufferers may not immediately connect with their sleep apnea is sleep apnea migraines.

Can sleep apnea cause migraines?

While there is no clearly identified scientific evidence that sleep apnea (particularly obstructive sleep apnea) actually cause migraines, insufficient sleep and all of the characteristics that come with it can trigger migraine headaches.

Sleep apnea headaches are a different story. An estimated 50% of people who regularly wake with headache pain suffer from sleep apnea.

For patients with moderate to severe sleep apnea, headaches are directly connected to a drop in oxygen levels overnight. Intermittent breathing does not allow the lungs to completely expel trapped air. This trapped de-oxygenated air is in fact carbon dioxide. When it is not expelled, carbon monoxide collects in the lungs and is eventually cycled through the blood stream. Oxygen levels in the blood drop as carbon dioxide levels rise.

So how does this create sleep apnea headaches (also called “awakening headaches”)? Carbon dioxide dilates the blood vessels in and around the head. This vasoconstriction can cause headaches.

Sleep apnea headaches vs. migraines

This is not to say that those who suffer from sleep apnea do not also suffer from migraines. Migraines can be triggered by dilated blood vessels as well as lack of sleep. There are four significant differences between migraines and sleep apnea headaches.

1. Sleep apnea headaches are generally on both sides of the head, while migraines are usually felt only on one side
2. These types of headaches generally resolve themselves as a person gets fresh air, while migraines can last for hours or days
3. Sleep apnea headaches occur fairly regularly (especially if sleep apnea is untreated), while migraines do not usually follow a pattern
4. Migraines are accompanied by symptoms that sleep apnea headaches do not have, such as visual impairments, nausea, and dizziness

Cluster headaches can also be caused by sleep apnea. Sufferers describe this pain as worse than childbirth. Clearly, sleep apnea is a complicated disorder that can have complications.

How to treat sleep apnea migraines

Treating sleep apnea migraines (those triggered by lack of sleep) and sleep apnea headaches start at the beginning by treating the sleep apnea itself.

Since migraines do not typically respond to pain medications, and sleep apnea headaches, although painful, begin to dissipate with fresh oxygen, preventing them by treating their cause (sleep apnea) is key.

Sleep apnea is a highly treatable disorder. Start with lifestyle changes that include weight loss, cutting back on alcohol consumption, and quitting smoking.

Weight loss

People carrying excess weight are both more likely to suffer from sleep apnea, with sleep apnea sufferers also more likely to be obese.

Cutting back on alcohol

Many people have a drink before bed, thinking it will guarantee a restful night’s sleep. The opposite is true. While a drink can help you fall asleep, it does nothing to help you sleep well through the night.

Smoking cessation

Quitting smoking undoubtedly helps improve your overall health. Smoking causes blood vessel dilation, which can lead to headaches. Additionally, smokers are more likely to be overweight and suffer other long-term complications of sleep apnea that include diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and an increased risk of mortality.

Sleep apnea treatments

One of the most well-known sleep apnea treatments is the CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine. The CPAP machine supplies pressurized air that keeps the throat open continually. The BiPAP (bilevel positive airway pressure) and VPAP (variable positive airway pressure) supply air on a variable schedule (or in a different manner). The sleeper wears a snug mask over the mouth and nose and sleeps as normal.

When used correctly, positive airway pressure devices have been proven to dramatically improve a person’s quality (and quantity of sleep). However, to be effective, these machines must be used properly and consistently. Because of the noise, the discomfort of the mask, and the overall hassle of the machine itself, compliance with this treatment can be dramatically low.

If you think you might be one of those people that won’t comply due to the noise of the machine and discomfort of the mask, you do have another option. Dental sleep apnea devices are small, make no noise, and are more comfortable than a mask. This oral device is custom-fitted by your dentist. It repositions your jaw and tongue to keep your airway open all night long.

Treating migraine pain usually relies on a combination of eliminating triggers, making appropriate lifestyle changes, and finding prescription medications that help prevent migraines. Treating your sleep apnea remains the best first step to stopping sleep apnea headaches and addressing this migraine trigger.

If you are looking for a sleep apnea dentist in the Phoenix area, give AZ Sleep a call. Our dentists know how important a good night’s sleep is. We can help.