Royal Oak and Birmingham, MI
Migraines are among the most disabling health conditions worldwide, costing billions in lost work and productivity. Despite this, migraines remain poorly understood, and many sufferers find their treatments inadequate. Often, underlying causes like sleep apnea are overlooked, delaying effective relief.
At Hartrick Dentistry in Royal Oak and Birmingham, MI, we recognize the strong link between migraines and sleep apnea. Our goal is to help patients find lasting relief by addressing all potential contributing factors, including sleep disorders.
Screening Migraine Patients for Sleep Apnea
Research shows a significant connection between migraines and sleep apnea. In a large survey of nearly 13,000 migraine sufferers who hadn’t been diagnosed with sleep apnea, about 37% were at high risk for the condition — much higher than average estimates for the general population.
This risk is especially high for those with chronic migraine (15 or more migraine days per month), with over half (52%) scoring high risk for sleep apnea. Those at high risk often report disrupted sleep, snoring, breathing difficulties, and daytime fatigue.
Men with migraines were more likely to be at high risk (44%) compared to women (35%), reinforcing the importance of screening all migraine patients for sleep apnea symptoms.
How Sleep Apnea Treatment Can Reduce Migraines
Understanding the connection between migraines and sleep apnea is vital because treating sleep apnea can significantly reduce migraine frequency and severity.
One study found that after treating sleep apnea, migraine attack duration dropped from an average of 22 hours to just 3 hours, and attack frequency decreased from 1.2 per week to 0.1. These improvements often surpass those achieved with many traditional migraine medications.
At Hartrick Dentistry, we tailor sleep apnea treatments to each patient’s unique needs. If you’ve been diagnosed with sleep apnea but feel your current therapy isn’t effective, we offer second opinions and alternative treatment options to help you get the relief you deserve.
Why Some Migraine Specialists Don’t Screen for Sleep Apnea
Despite the strong evidence, many migraine doctors may not ask about sleep apnea or sleep quality. Some clinicians may focus only on neurological or pain-related causes without considering sleep disorders. Others may be unaware of the overlap between these conditions.
Sleep apnea symptoms often occur during sleep, making them less obvious, and many symptoms overlap with other health issues. This contributes to frequent underdiagnosis, especially among headache specialists who may not prioritize sleep evaluations.
Take Charge of Your Migraine and Sleep Health
If your healthcare providers haven’t addressed your risk for sleep apnea, it’s important to be proactive. Talk to your doctor about sleep apnea screening, and if necessary, seek evaluation from a sleep specialist.
At Hartrick Dentistry in Royal Oak and Birmingham, MI, we help patients access convenient and accurate sleep testing, including home sleep studies, to identify sleep apnea. Early diagnosis and treatment can make a major difference in reducing migraines and improving your quality of life.
Schedule Your Appointment Today
If migraines are affecting your life, and you suspect sleep apnea might be a factor, contact Hartrick Dentistry to learn about our comprehensive sleep apnea screening and treatment options.
Call us at (248) 712-1149 to schedule your consultation and take the first step toward fewer migraines and better sleep.