Sleep regulates and restores many of our body’s functions. A good night’s sleep regulates our mood, improves our memory, and strengthens our immune systems. A lack of sleep can adversely impact our bodies, leading to physical and mental health issues. Migraines and headaches are some of the most common symptoms stemming from sleep deprivation.
Sleep deprivation may have several causes, including long or odd hours at work, substance abuse, stress, anxiety, or medical conditions.
The connection between migraine and sleep
Research has linked sleep deprivation to numerous headache disorders, including migraines, which most commonly affect individuals when they wake up in the morning.
About 12% of the U.S. population suffers from migraines. Migraines may be characterized as throbbing or pulsing pain on the sides of the head. Migraines may also induce weakness, light sensitivity, and nausea.
RELATED: Sleep Disorders Highly Prevalent in Children With Migraines
Women are three times more likely to suffer migraines than men, and people with a family history of migraines may be more likely to have migraines themselves.
Sleep deprivation increases the risk of migraines but also increases the severity and frequency of migraine attacks. The parts of the brain that regulate sleep also contain neurons involved with regulating pain.
Erratic sleep schedules resulting in too little sleep may disrupt the brain’s sleep-wake cycle, causing migraines and clusters of headaches.
Sleep deprivation is problematic, but oversleeping can also trigger migraines. These “weekend migraines” commonly occur in people who