How To Prevent Headaches And Migraines Through Sleep?

Do you suffer from tension, throbbing, pulsating sensations on one or either side of your head; does the pain affect your everyday life such as work, life, education, mental health, or relationships? Read on to find out about migraine relief as well as the causes, triggers, symptoms, and prevention methods through non-medicinal treatments.

It is important to identify your triggers or symptoms if and when experiencing a headache. An article written and published in the National Library of Medicine found that a migraine affects more than one billion individuals each year across the world and is one of the most common neurologic disorders. Experiencing one every fifteen days or more per month could mean you suffer from chronic headaches.

Fun fact: taking too much medicine can cause more headaches than help treat the symptoms of your headache. 

A small study has shown promise for sleep being a combatant against headache pain. Out of 32 participants with persistent tension-type headaches, 81 percent said going to sleep was their most effective strategy for getting rid of a headache. 3 other studies have noted that sleep is a common migraine relief tactic for some. Read on to find out how the duration of sleep may be contributing to headaches.

What Causes Migraines?

There could be a variety of reasons you are experiencing or suffering from a headache or migraine. According to the Association of Migraine Disorders, migraines or chronic headaches can run in families and therefore be associated with a person’s genetics.

Hormonal changes can also affect the onset of a migraine. For instance, research found girls are more likely to suffer from migraines related to puberty and hormonal fluctuations associated with menopause can also trigger a headache.

The Association of Migraine Disorders also estimates that between 30% to 90% of traumatic injuries to the brain, such as those from sports, military service, car accidents, falls and domestic violence, result in post-traumatic headache.

In 2005, a study carried out by Kelman, L. and Rains, J. C. found half of their participants said sleep disturbances contributed to their headaches. And those who slept only six hours a night on average had more frequent and more severe headaches than those who slept longer. However, they also found the opposite to be true. Too much sleep can trigger headaches as well – particularly migraines and tension-type headaches.

What Is A Headache And What Are The Symptoms?

According to the NHS a headache is usually a pulsating or throbbing pain on 1 side of the head, often accompanied by feeling sick, vomiting, or extreme sensitivity to bright light and loud sounds, which can last for 4 to 72 hours. Similarly, Cleveland Clinic detail a headache as a pain in your head or face that’s often described as a pressure that’s throbbing, constant, sharp, or dull. Mayo Clinic have identified the following signs of a person suffering from a headache:

• Nausea or vomiting
• Exhaustion
• Sensitivity to light or sound
• Pain, tension or pressing feeling on one or both sides of the head

If you are experiencing a sudden agonising headache resulting in a severe pain unlike anything experienced before then it is advised, you contact your doctor or the emergency services immediately. Read the signs and help yourself or someone else relieve the symptoms of a headache or oncoming migraine.

What Triggers Migraines?

According to Healthline, high stress levels, noise, flashing lights, feelings of anxiety or depression could trigger an oncoming migraine or headache. Other triggers include lack of sleep, skipping meals, high caffeine intake or even alcohol. Medication is also a huge trigger as some people can experience negative reactions to certain types of medicine and taking too much medicine over a period time may cause more headaches then cure.

Migraine, How To Treat?

There are a number of medications you can take to help treat symptoms of a migraine, however, please seek further advice from a GP if you require medicinal forms of treatment. Other non-medicinal treatments include therapy, nerve stimulation, acupuncture, massage, or supplement taking.

Additional lifestyle changes include making sure that you get enough sleep. The NHS recommends that during a headache many people find that sleeping or lying in a darkened room can help. Especially if symptoms worsen or become unbearable, some people may find they need to stay in bed for days at a time. So, making sure your bedroom and sleeping environment is an oasis of calmness is of the utmost importance. TEMPUR® offers a range of great quality mattresses and pillows as well as bed bases that help you achieve that true restful sleep. 

In order to improve your sleep even further and prevent an oncoming headache there are other mental and physical changes you can be making or trying. For example, eating meals more regularly, exploring ways to lower stress levels including yoga before bedtime and perhaps incorporate exercise into your weekly routine. As well as, practicing gratitude and mindfulness before bedtime.

Will you be investing in sleep related products with TEMPUR® to help you sleep better and avoid the onset of a headache?