Are morning headaches part of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome?

Article Abstract:

Sleep apnea is an intermittent cessation of breathing which occurs during sleep. Although the medical literature reports that morning headaches are associated with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, there was no evidence that the headaches were associated with this specific disorder, rather than merely being linked to breathing difficulties during sleep. To make this determination, sleep recordings and clinical data from the following groups were studied: 304 patients with sleep apnea; 24 patients with other sleep-related respiratory disorders; 227 patients with sleep disorders but at most moderate apnea; and 37 patients with no apparent sleep disorders (controls). The results indicate that morning headaches are common among patients with sleep disturbances, but are not especially frequent among patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. Headaches occurred in 6 percent of control subjects, and while headaches were found in 18 percent of the subjects with obstructive sleep apnea, frequent morning headaches also occurred in 21 to 38 percent of patients with other sleep disorders. Therefore, despite previous reports, morning headaches cannot be regarded as specific indicators of obstructive sleep apnea. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Diagnosis, Causes of, Complications and side effects, Sleep disorders, Sleep apnea syndromes, Sleep apnea, Headache, Apnea

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Sleep Terrors in a 5-Year-Old Girl

Article Abstract:

A 5-year-old girl began awakening 40-50 times per night in a highly agitated state characteristic of sleep terrors. Sleep terrors commonly occur in stage 3 or 4 of sleep, when sleep is deep and dreaming is not occurring, and patients do not recall the episodes. A sleep study revealed that the child was in stage 3 or 4 of sleep 82% of the night. A trial of benzodiazepine sedative medication markedly reduced the incidence of sleep terrors. The child was treated with diazepam at bedtime, which was gradually withdrawn over four weeks. Although she continued to have restless sleep, the incidence of sleep terrors was substantially reduced.

United States, Health aspects, Care and treatment, Sleep disorders in children, Childhood sleep disorders, Benzodiazepines, Diazepam

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