Headaches And Snoring Might Indicate Sleep Disorder

Hanover, NH -- Frequent headaches, especially in snorers, could be a sign of a sleep disorder, which in some cases might put sufferers at higher risk of stroke and heart attack.

Frequent headaches and sleep-disordered breathing, or sleep apnea, often are associated, according to a Dartmouth Medical School study and a Johns Hopkins School of Public Health study presented at the 10th International Headache Congress (IHC) June 29 - July 2 in New York City. Snoring may be an indication of sleep apnea, which causes problems in breathing and prevents the sufferer from maintaining the appropriate blood-oxygen levels, potentially leading to changes in brain function and headache.

"Not all snorers are at risk of cardiovascular problems, but snoring and headaches combined put you at higher risk," said Jeanetta Rains, Ph.D., director of the Center for Sleep Evaluation at Elliot Hospital, Manchester, N.H., and adjunct assistant professor of psychiatry at Dartmouth Medical School, Lebanon, N.H. "The good news is there are treatment options. Once the person is breathing normally at night, the headaches often improve or go away, and the risk of heart problems is decreased."

In the Dartmouth study, 289 (35 percent) of 826 patients who were tested for sleep disorders complained of morning headaches; 157 (19 percent) said the morning headaches occurred daily or near-daily. Of those complaining of frequent morning headache, 105 (67 percent) were found to have sleep apnea, or impaired breathing, leading to hypoxemia (low blood-oxygen levels) or hypercapnia (high carbon dioxide levels in the blood) and 132 (84 percent) were snorers. Of people with frequent morning headache who snored, 107 (81 percent) had sleep apnea.

"People whose headaches tend to be at their worst when they wake up should report snoring or sleep problems to their doctors," said Dr. Rains.

The disturbed and fragmented sleep that occurs with sleep apnea and other sleep disorders also can aggravate migraine or chronic headaches, according to the study.

For additional information contact Sonja Sorrel or Teresa Luepke at (312) 558-1770.

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