Sleep and headache

Seo, M W

Abstract

Headaches and sleep problems are common complaints in clinical practice. The relationship of sleep and headache has been extensively studied. Brain systems involved in the regulation of sleep may also play a role in the initiation of vascular headache. Some of the physiological alterations in sleep, particularly REM sleep, are similar to those described in vascular headache. Clinical studies have documented an association between vascular headache and sleep, and headache is a common symptom of sleep disorders. Sleep and headache are known to be interrelated in several ways. It can be summarized as follows : 1) sleep-related headaches, 2) sleep phase-related headaches, 3) length of sleep (excess, lack, and disruption) and headaches, 4) headache related to sleep associated behavior, 5) sleep disorders and headaches, 6) effects of headaches on sleep, and 7) dreams and headaches. Several mechanisms can be proposed to explain the relationship between sleep and headaches.