Migraines are strong and painful headaches that cause severe throbbing pain or a pulsating sensation on the side of the head. These headaches are often debilitating and can last for a few hours to several days, placing a strain on daily activities, including sleep.
Most migraine sufferers tend to experience sleep problems, such as trouble falling or staying asleep. Getting too little sleep or too much of it can trigger migraines in some people. The right amount of high-quality shut-eye, though, is one of the keys to preventing a strong migraine attack.
If you experience migraines regularly, tweaking your nightly sleep schedule.
How Are Migraines and Sleep Linked?
While a correlation between sleep disorders and migraines seems to exist, how the two are related is somewhat complex. We do know that a common region of the brain controls headaches, sleep, and moods. Recent lab research and imaging have shown that structures in the central nervous system involved in the function of both migraines and normal sleep patterns somehow malfunction, leading to deregulation of both.
A migraine can be the result of sleep interruption. Similarly, sleep interruption can be caused by the onset of a migraine. Also, sleep problems and migraines can be caused by different medical issues.
What Other Medical Problems Affect Sleep and Migraines?
Doctors are constantly finding that migraine sufferers have poor sleep habits. Whenever a person is not getting at least eight hours of sleep a night, these rest patterns are interrupted and a migraine can be triggered. This is often referred to as insomnia, or trouble staying asleep. The following sleep problems can lead to insomnia and constant pain from migraines:
- Restless leg syndrome
- Snoring
- Sleep apnea
- Sleepwalking
- Body clock disorders
How Can I Ease My Migraines With Sleep?
Adequate sleep can help ease your migraines. Here are a few things you can do to make sure you get at least eight full hours of sleep:
- Create a regular sleep schedule by keeping the same bedtime every day of the week, maintaining a natural sleep rhythm
- Don't eat a huge meal before bedtime to avoid causing heartburn symptoms and cramping
- Take all medications on time, especially if they involve pain management — disruption in sleep patterns can cause a drop in your pain threshold
- While lying in bed, don't watch TV, complete office work, or don't snack on anything there — only use your bedroom for sleep and intimacy
