Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 5, 2026

Association Between Sleep Quality and Cognitive Symptoms in Patients with Major Depressive Disorder
Published on: April 26, 2024
Sleep and headaches
Jeanetta C Rains1, J Steven Poceta, Donald B Penzien
1Center for Sleep Evaluation, Elliot Hospital, One Elliot Way, Manchester, NH 03102, USA. jrains@elliot-hs.org
Abstract:
Sleep has long been recognized to both provoke and relieve headache. Epidemiologic research has associated sleep disorders with more frequent and severe headaches. Chronic daily, awakening, and morning headache patterns are particularly suggestive of sleep disorders, including sleep-related breathing disorders, insomnia, circadian rhythm disorders, and parasomnias. Snoring and other indicators of sleep-disordered breathing are the most commonly studied and are particularly salient because of the potential for headache to improve or resolve with treatment of sleep. In addition to sleep disorders, clinical research correlates specific headache diagnoses (eg, migraine, tension-type, and cluster) with chronobiologic patterns and sleep processes, implicating common anatomic structures and neurochemical processes involved in the regulation of sleep and headache. Evidence strongly supports screening for sleep disorders by headache practitioners. Headache management should identify and treat sleep disorders that may improve or resolve headache.
Related Concept Videos
Sleep-Wake Cycles
NREM Sleep
NREM sleep comprises four progressive stages that seamlessly merge:
Insufficient Sleep and Sleep Deprivation
Sleep deprivation is a more severe form of sleep loss...
Sleep Apnea
The condition is more prevalent among...
Insomnia
Multiple factors contribute...
Narcolepsy
Sleepwalking and Sleep Talking
Factors that increase the likelihood of sleepwalking include sleep deprivation and alcohol consumption. Contrary to common beliefs, it is safe...

