Do You Have Morning Headaches?

Morning headaches have many causes, including a bad night’s sleep, hangover, chronic pain, or stress. Early morning headaches can also be a sign of migraines, cluster, and tension headaches. 

A lesser-known cause of morning headaches is obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), a medical condition that affects breathing during sleep. OSA is the most common form of sleep apnoea, a condition in which the airways close up while you’re sleeping -- when throat muscles relax. 

These pauses in breathing (“apnoeas”) occur many times during the night, although you won’t be aware of them. In the morning, the headache from this sleep disruption may last for 30 minutes or so. In addition to morning headaches, these are also symptoms of sleep apnoea:

• Loud snoring

• Waking up gasping for breath or coughing

• Feeling very fatigued every afternoon

• Drowsy driving

Overweight, middle-aged (and older) men are at highest risk for obstructive sleep apnoea. The excessive neck tissue restricts airways whilst they’re laying down, leading to loud, continuous snoring and other symptoms. 

These pauses in breathing take a toll on overall health, over time. When breathing is paused, the brain and body are deprived of much-needed oxygen. This oxygen deprivation has been linked with chronic diseases:

• High blood pressure

• Type 2 diabetes

• Heart disease

Because your health is at stake, it is critical to get tested for OSA -- and there are treatments that are very effective. The Somnowell device has helped many with low-level OSA get a good night’s sleep -- with OSA symptoms under control. This device is worn similar to a dental retainer, and is customised to fit your specific mouth -- so you’ll be very comfortable wearing it.

For those with more severe symptoms, CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) is the gold standard therapy -- and also very effective. A CPAP device can mitigate or even eliminate the effects of sleep apnoea. The unit consists of a pump and a mouthpiece that is placed over your face. By increasing the air pressure delivered to your mouth and lungs, your airways will remain open -- very safely.  

With the proper sleep apnoea treatment, you will finally enjoy a restorative night of sleep -- every night -- without the morning headaches.

Somnowell Can Help

If you snore and have other symptoms of sleep apnoea, speak with our team to learn if you’re a good candidate for the Somnowell Chrome sleep apnoea device. This device helps patients get the rest they need (and their partners as well) as it stops the snoring and other sleep apnoea symptoms. Don’t take a chance with your health, including your brain health. We encourage you to make the call now.

Obstructive sleep apnoea will not go away on its own -- and the symptoms typically become worse over time. Imagine getting a good night’s sleep, every night, and feeling energetic every day-- ready to enjoy your life. When you’re treated for OSA, that’s very possible.