Migraines are brutal. Your head is pounding, you feel nauseous, and you can’t be around any light. You can’t function, work, or be there for your family.
Having frequent migraines can result from a variety of causes. Unfortunately, beyond the immediate pain, migraine sufferers are more likely to struggle with sleep as well. This can cause a vicious cycle where a lack of sleep leads to more headaches.
The Importance of Routine
Having a clear sleep schedule and routine can help reduce headaches and headache days lost to migraines. Getting too little sleep — as well as too much — are common triggers for headaches.
The better your routine, the less likely you are to hit a migraine trigger. Make sure you go to bed and get up at the same time every day, even on weekends. You don’t want a weekend migraine to ruin your plans!
Also, know how much sleep you need. It can be tempting to sacrifice sleep for other priorities, but if you struggle with migraines that’s the last thing you want to do.
How Can Jaw Pain Impact Headaches?
If you struggle with stress or TMJ, the tight muscles in your jaw may be a trigger for headaches. You may want to see a dentist and see about oral appliances that can help, such as a mouthguard.
Mouthguards and other devices can help you avoid grinding your teeth and over-tightening your jaw muscles. This can relieve tension throughout your head and help prevent headaches.
You might not think about dental issues as being a source of migraines, but they are more related than you think. If you’re a dentist with a patient complaining of headaches, consider what you can offer to help them relax their jaw at night.
Migraines affect sleep, and how much sleep you get can be impacted by headache pain. It’s essential to find a good solution and sleep well!
Source: Texas TMJ & Pain Management
