Morning headaches: A sign of obstructive sleep apnea

Waking up with a headache is an unpleasant start to the day. Although headaches are typically harmless, frequently waking up with them can signal a more serious issue. But what could that be?

One condition known to cause unbearable morning headaches is obstructive sleep apnea.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a disorder characterized by repeated episodes of partial or complete blockage of the airways during sleep, causing one to temporarily stop breathing.

During an OSA episode, the throat and tongue muscles, which normally stay tense to keep the airways open, suddenly relax. This tension release causes partial or complete blockage of air flow. Interestingly, some people may stop breathing up to 60 times within one hour of sleep. Many remain unaware of this fact until someone else observes their sleep pattern.

This alarming condition can be identified by morning headaches.

Other symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea may include excessive daytime sleepiness, loud snoring, waking up choking or gasping for air, daytime energy depletion, dry mouth or throat upon waking, mood changes including irritability, and difficulty concentrating.

Research reveals that sleep apnea-related headaches occur more frequently in women than in men.

Long term, individuals with sleep apnea are more susceptible to serious conditions such as coronary artery disease, depression, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and the early onset of dementia. Their risk of heart failure is even reported to be 140% higher.

The diagnosis of sleep apnea primarily relies on the analysis of symptoms and physical examinations. In some cases, it may also require a polysomnography test.

However, it's important to note that a morning headache doesn't always indicate sleep apnea. Routine disturbances, like poor sleep habits such as oversleeping or improper sleeping position, could also be the root.