Sleep Disorders Trigger Migraine

Sleep is important to our nervous system daily functioning. It reduces stress and revitalizes our nervous system. Migraineurs report that sleep problems and disorders are one of the most common migraine triggers. Too much sleep or too little sleep triggers migraine attacks for most migraineurs. Also interrupting sleep abruptly or interrupting it during the deep sleep phase causes migraine attacks. You may note that there is a special alarm clock that can be attached to the wrist for waking up outside the deep sleep phase. It is concluded in some research that waking up in the deep sleep phase triggers a migraine attack. Moreover, sleep problems are often associated with migraine as the pain and suffering of migraine may cause the migraineur to take naps during the day or feel unable to fall asleep at night. Sleep-disordered breathing has also been strongly associated with cluster headaches in some research study.

The major types of sleep disorders related to migraines

• insomnia: is the inability to fall asleep or maintain a deep sleep for the normal number of hours. I get around three days of insomnia about once every two to five weeks. I still don’t understand the cause, but I link it to my migraine problem. Sometimes I felt it was caused by anxiety, but many times while having insomnia, I was relaxed (I feel that I am about to fall asleep, yet unable to fall asleep). While on other times, I felt the cause behind insomnia was being not fully active. Sometimes I tried to cope with migraines by keeping myself drowsy and heedless to keep my excitation low. Stay away from sleep aid medications as they trigger a severe migraine attack!
• Delayed sleep phase syndrome (DSPS): It is when people sleep time is delayed by a few hours after midnight, and they have a hard time waking in the morning. Migraineurs sometimes find themselves forced to delay their sleep time due to the fact they get naps during the day or they have a strong pain interfering with their ability to initiate sleep.

Fight sleep Problems for Better Health!

You may help yourself fight against sleep problems by following some the methods below:

• avoid taking naps: naps may cause migraine attacks, and they cause you to delay your night time sleep.
• try to relax yourself a few hours before your sleep time (e.g. 11pm): whenever you feel excited or agitated at night, watch a cartoon, a funny movie, or your favourite program.
• avoid doing any physically-involving or mental activities such as playing sports or studying a couple of hours before the expected sleeping time.
• get yourself a comfortable bed and pillow! It makes a huge difference in sleep to try a comfortable bed. Sometimes, I had to sleep at friends’ place. The mattress was not comfortable enough for me, so my sleep was shallow and not satisfying.