How CPAP is linked to migraines
Untreated sleep apnea can have a lot of negative consequences on your body, especially your head. Sleep apnea restricts your body from getting necessary oxygen during sleep. Each time you struggle for breath during the night due to your obstructive sleep apnea, you get less oxygen in your system, which can have lasting effects on your mind and body.
Hildegard Hidalgo, MD from the Department of Neurology at Kamillus-Klinik in Asbach, Germany, found that:
- 25% of patients with OSA also have migraines ¹
- 12% in migraine without aura had sleep apnea¹
- 7% in migraine with aura had sleep apnea¹
From these they concluded that sleep apnea occurs for people with migraines about the same as the general population, but that those with sleep apnea had higher rates of migraines, suggesting that the sleep apnea was a source of migraines.
Study findings on CPAP and migraines
Researchers wanted to see if migraines could be alleviated with CPAP therapy for those who suffered from both. They investigated long-term effects of CPAP therapy on chronic migraines, believing reduced oxygen to the brain could lead to daytime migraines. The good news is that they found using CPAP may help both sleep apnea and reducing your migraines at the same time. However, it requires consistent compliance with your CPAP therapy.
Dr. Hidalgo concluded that CPAP is an effective therapy for both OSA and migraine in patients with both conditions, by looking at thirty people over two years. Across those two years, the results were staggering; CPAP users began to reduce both their general sleep apnea symptoms and their migraines thanks CPAP compliance .¹ The longer users were compliant, the less migraines they suffered from.
How to stay compliant and reduce your migraines
By now you’re wondering – how can I make sure my CPAP is treating my sleep apnea correctly? There are a few ways to ensure your CPAP is giving you the best CPAP therapy possible – and therefore reducing your migraines too.
Here are 4 tips for CPAP effectiveness and compliance:
1. Make sure your supplies are fresh so they don’t stress your skull.
When your supplies are old, the therapy will become less and less effective. Because this happens slowly and over time, most folks end up not noticing it. Instead, they will tighten their mask a little more, thinking they just need the seal a little closer.
Eventually this leads to over-tightening that can cause pain, marks, and the annoying “hot mask” feeling. The less comfortable your CPAP supplies are, the harder it is to stay compliant and get your CPAP benefits. You can avoid this by replacing your supplies with fresh ones regularly on the recommended, insurance-backed schedule.
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2. Have a machine that automatically meets your needs to prevent morning migraines.
Your pressure needs vary through the night as you sleep. Newer CPAPs are auto-titrating, meaning they adjust to your needs breath-by-breath to give the most effective pressure needed all through the night. On top of perfecting the pressure for your every breath, they have automatically adjusting comfort settings to keep you compliant every night of the week. ResMed’s AirSense 11 Auto CPAP also offers:
- Humidification: 7 levels of humidity and an optional heated tube ensures you don’t dry out
- EPR: Expiratory Pressure Relief reduces pressure upon exhale, avoiding high pressure mask leaks
- AutoRamp: Starts your sleep therapy at a low pressure so you fall asleep more comfortably
- Humidification: 7 levels of humidity and an optional heated tube ensures you don’t dry out
- EPR: Expiratory Pressure Relief reduces pressure upon exhale, avoiding high pressure mask leaks
- AutoRamp: Starts your sleep therapy at a low pressure so you fall asleep more comfortably
Upgrade to the AirSense today for just $399 down and 0% APR! Just add to cart below.
3. Keep your supplies clean to keep your sinuses clear.
Bacteria buildup on your mask can make you sick or weaken your mask seal. Weak seals and CPAP illnesses are big barriers to compliance, as they make using CPAP much more of a chore. That’s why keeping your mask and hose clean can be the difference between intolerable and effective CPAP therapy. The Lumin CPAP cleaner will keep your supplies sanitary and fresh with:
- Simple and Quick: Lumin kills 99% of bacteria in a one-touch 5 minute cycle
- UV Technology: specialized UV-C light source targets harmful bacteria, viruses, mold, and fungus
- Complete compatibility: No adapter needed
- Simple and Quick: Lumin kills 99% of bacteria in a one-touch 5 minute cycle
- UV Technology: specialized UV-C light source is targeted to kill harmful bacteria, viruses, mold, and fungus
- Complete compatibility: Lumin fits all major mask types and humidifier chambers
Save $70 when you buy the Lumin today! Just add to cart below with code LUMIN70 applied automatically.
If buildup on your mask is a common issue for you, try our Mask Wipes for daily use!
4. Use a mask that doesn’t press on your temples.
Finding the right mask for your face can be frustrating, but newer masks are designed to fit more people every day. If leaks from your mask are giving you trouble, the AirFit F30 mask will be a great change. Unlike other masks that seal up over and around the bridge of your nose, the F30 fits beneath your nose, and puts less pressure on the top of your head. The F30 also boasts:
- Minimal Full Face Design: The F30 fits under your nose and over your mouth, leaving the bridge of your nose untouched
- Universal Headgear Size: The padded headgear contours to every unique face for an accurate, first-time fit, and is designed not to leave marks
- Quick Release Elbow with QuietAir: The elbow allows users to plug/unplug from therapy easily, while the QuietAir vent diffuses exhalation to reduce noise
- Minimal Full Face Design: The F30 fits under your nose and over your mouth, leaving the bridge of your nose untouched
- Universal Headgear Size: The padded headgear contours to every unique face for an accurate, first-time fit, and is designed not to leave marks
- Quick Release Elbow with QuietAir: The elbow allows users to plug/unplug from therapy easily, while the QuietAir vent diffuses exhalation to reduce noise
Save $20 on the AirFit F30 today! Just add your size to cart below and code F30SAVE applies automatically.
Don’t miss out on your insurance coverage! Find out if the F30 is covered today:
Sources:
- ” CPAP improves migraine burden in patients with sleep apnea” by Hidalgo, MD., Hildegard. 23rd Meeting of the European Neurological Society (ENS). Abstract O314. June 10, 2013
