Individuals diagnosed with cluster headache are at high risk of having undiagnosed sleep apnea, recent studies reveal. Researchers have concluded that there is a strong correlation between the occurrence of obstructive sleep apnea and cluster headaches, since the breathing complications are mostly prevalent among these individuals. At its very basic level, the scientific researches pointed out a possibility of treating cluster headache by treating the obstructive sleep apnea.
The Details Of The Study
The study was conducted by Dr. Chervin and his associates and supported by the Sleep Disorder Center at the University of Michigan. It was an observational study in which 25 individuals with active or inactive cluster headaches participated. No diagnosis for apnea had been taken place prior to the study's start.
The studies findings revealed that over 80% of the participants experienced 5 episodes of apnea or hypopnea (under breathing) during each hour of sleep. 44% experienced 10 or more in that given period. Participants with cluster headaches and sleep apnea showed severe oxygen desaturation in the majority of the cases.
Decreased CO2 Reaction
Scientists spoke about the possibility that a reduced responsiveness to CO2 may develop cluster headaches and since sleep apnea results in minimum oxygen saturation. In other words, your body doesn't get enough air to get the job done. It explains the association with sleep-disordered breathing as linked up with cluster headaches. In reference to other studies that explained the occurrence of numerous rapid physiological changes as a direct consequence of sleep-disordered breathing, it can be surmised that there is a strong correlation between sleep apnea and cluster headaches.
The Speculation And Future Prospect
While speculative hypothesis in this particular aspect emphasizes that the recurring, outsized, adverse intrathoracic pressures occurring as a result of sleep apnea may directly influence intravascular content, leading to headaches. Sleep apnea and other sleep disordered breathing have the high possibility to influence the entire mechanism governing the sensation of aches, however, more research is needed. It's still not been proved whether the breathing pattern caused by sleep apnea actually causes headaches and whether there is any causal relationship between these two variables.
However, there is a strong correlation between these two variables for certain. Further studies are needed to confirm any direct relationship between cluster headaches and sleep apnea. Researchers do not underestimate the possibility of finding out any third variable responsible for both cluster headaches and apnea in addition to what has been already discovered.
This may occur anywhere from 5 to 30 times in an hour, and the reduced amount of oxygen in the blood can be life threatening.
Currently, only one in 25 adults are reported to have sleep apnea, because about 90% of all sleep apnea cases are not reported.
The reason for this is that the sufferer is not aware that these episodes of non-breathing are happening, so he does not know that he already has a medical condition.
Most likely, the sufferer's bed partner or roommate is the one who notices the symptoms.
It's common knowledge that obesity is a cause of sleep apnea (the additional fat around the neck pushes against the airways). What isn't as well-known is the fact that sleep apnea also causes obesity in return - the decreased amounts of oxygen in the blood triggers a "panic mode" in the body, causing it to store more fat to compensate for decreased energy reserves.
The vicious cycle will continue unless it is treated.
If you have these symptoms - overweight, with dry/sore throat, headaches in the morning, and feeling of tiredness during the day, then you may be suffering from sleep apnea.
Most doctors claim that even a 10% reduction in weight will prevent sleep apnea and help you sleep better. Losing weight may be a helpful advice, but it is easier said than done.
That is why I came up with my Snoring Program.
No harsh exercises are used in my Snoring Program. Hundreds of people who used my program have been satisfied with it. It has cured their sleep apnea and has given them a good night's sleep.
By religiously doing the steps in my Snoring Program, you will condition your body to avoid going into "panic mode" during sleep, and the increased energy that you will get from sleep will in turn make it easy for you to maintain a healthy body weight. Two birds with one stone.
But wouldn't it be even better to hit three birds with one stone?
For sleep apnea sufferers, my new Weight Loss Program will tackle the underlying causes of sleep apnea - as well as a host of other problems caused by all that extra cargo.
The exercises outlined in my Weight Loss program are not even workout exercises. They are revolutionary, perhaps no one has ever heard of these exercises before.
Check out my Snoring Program and Weight Loss Program to help you finally cure your sleep apnea and have a better life.
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