Migraines and Sleep Apnea: What’s the Connection?

Louisville, KY

Migraines are among the most debilitating health conditions in the world. They result in billions of dollars lost in work hours and productivity each year. Yet despite their impact, migraines are still widely misunderstood and often go under-treated. Many migraine sufferers have tried numerous remedies—often with limited or no success.

At Exceptional Dentistry of Louisville, we believe in getting to the root cause of health issues, especially when traditional treatments fall short. One often-overlooked factor in chronic migraines is sleep apnea, a serious sleep disorder that may be a hidden contributor to your headaches.

Why Screening Migraine Patients for Sleep Apnea Matters

Emerging research shows a strong link between migraines and sleep apnea. One large survey of nearly 13,000 migraine sufferers—none of whom were previously diagnosed with sleep apnea—found that about 37% were at high risk for the condition using the Berlin Questionnaire, a reliable screening tool.

This is significantly higher than sleep apnea estimates in the general population (approximately 25% of men and 10% of women). Even more striking, 52% of people with chronic migraines (defined as 15 or more migraine days per month) were classified as high risk for sleep apnea.

Common symptoms among those with both migraines and sleep apnea include:

• Disrupted sleep
• Loud snoring
• Shortness of breath during the night
• Excessive daytime sleepiness

Men with migraines were also more likely than women to be at high risk for sleep apnea (44% vs. 35%).

These results are echoed in international studies, such as one from Norway that found people experiencing 15 or more headache days per month were 2.74 times more likely to suffer from excessive daytime fatigue—a hallmark symptom of sleep apnea.

Can Sleep Apnea Treatment Reduce Migraine Frequency?

Yes—and in many cases, dramatically.

One study showed that treating sleep apnea led to a reduction in migraine attack duration from 22 hours to just 3. Even more impressively, the frequency of migraine attacks dropped from 1.2 episodes per week to just 0.1.

These improvements exceed the results of many conventional migraine treatments and highlight the importance of exploring sleep apnea as a possible cause of chronic headaches.

At Exceptional Dentistry of Louisville, we offer comprehensive screening and alternative treatments for sleep apnea—especially for patients who haven’t found relief through CPAP machines or other traditional options. If you’ve already been diagnosed with sleep apnea but aren’t seeing results, we can provide a second opinion and help you explore more effective, comfortable solutions.

Why Sleep Apnea Is Often Missed in Migraine Care

Despite the proven benefits of treating sleep apnea, it’s not always on the radar of neurologists or migraine specialists. If you’re being treated at a pain management clinic or seeing a headache specialist, it’s possible your provider has never assessed your sleep quality.

There are several reasons for this:

• Some research suggests the connection between migraines and sleep apnea isn’t universal.
• Sleep apnea symptoms often mimic or overlap with other conditions, making it easy to overlook.
• Many doctors focus only on daytime symptoms, ignoring potential nighttime causes.

Unfortunately, this can leave migraine sufferers stuck in a cycle of pain without ever addressing a potential root cause.

Take Control of Your Migraine Relief in Louisville

If your current doctor hasn’t explored the possibility of sleep apnea as a trigger for your migraines, it may be time to take matters into your own hands.

You can:

• Ask your provider about sleep apnea screening
• Request a home sleep test
• Schedule an evaluation with a provider who understands the link between sleep and head pain

At Exceptional Dentistry of Louisville, we help patients just like you discover the true source of their symptoms—and finally get lasting relief.

📞 Call us today at (888) 918-3336 to schedule your consultation and take the first step toward better sleep, fewer migraines, and a healthier quality of life.