Jonesborough, Jefferson City, and Greeneville, TN
Migraines are among the most debilitating health issues worldwide, leading to billions in lost productivity and missed work. Despite their major impact, migraines remain poorly understood and often underdiagnosed or improperly treated. Many sufferers in the Tri-Cities area have spent years cycling through medications and therapies, only to find little or no lasting relief.
At Tusculum Dental Care, we believe in taking a broader approach—especially when it comes to conditions with overlapping symptoms like migraines and sleep apnea.
The Overlooked Connection: Migraines and Sleep Apnea
Emerging research is shedding light on a strong connection between sleep apnea and migraines. Unfortunately, most healthcare providers rarely screen for sleep-disordered breathing when treating patients with chronic headaches. Yet sleep apnea is a common culprit behind frequent morning headaches and unexplained fatigue.
One large-scale study surveyed nearly 13,000 individuals suffering from migraines but with no formal diagnosis of sleep apnea. Researchers used a standard tool called the Berlin Questionnaire to assess sleep apnea risk. The results were surprising—about 37% of participants were identified as high-risk for sleep apnea, far higher than in the general population (typically 25% of men and 10% of women).
What’s more, people experiencing chronic migraines—defined as 15 or more migraine days per month—had even higher rates of sleep apnea risk. In fact, more than half (52%) of chronic migraine sufferers scored as high risk.
Notably, men with migraines had an elevated likelihood of sleep apnea risk (44%) compared to women (35%). These individuals were more prone to common sleep apnea symptoms like loud snoring, fragmented sleep, daytime exhaustion, and difficulty breathing during the night.
Another study conducted in Norway echoed these findings, revealing that people with frequent headaches were nearly three times more likely to report excessive daytime drowsiness.
Migraine Relief Through Sleep Apnea Treatment
If sleep apnea and migraines are linked, can treating sleep apnea reduce migraine frequency and intensity? The answer appears to be a resounding yes.
In one clinical study, individuals undergoing sleep apnea treatment saw dramatic improvement. Their average migraine duration dropped from 22 hours to just 3 hours, and migraine frequency fell from over once a week to barely once a month. These outcomes outperformed many popular migraine medications—without the side effects.
At Tusculum Dental Care, we offer customized dental sleep solutions for patients struggling with sleep apnea. If you’ve already been diagnosed but aren’t getting the results you expected from your current CPAP or other therapy, our team can provide a second opinion and offer alternatives that may work better for your lifestyle.
We understand that not every person with migraines will benefit from sleep apnea treatment—but research shows a large portion might. Given the potential benefits, we strongly recommend migraine sufferers be screened for sleep apnea as part of their care plan.
Why Isn’t Sleep Apnea on Every Doctor’s Radar?
Despite growing evidence, many neurologists, chiropractors, and general practitioners still don’t routinely ask migraine patients about sleep quality or nighttime breathing patterns. Some may not consider sleep apnea a relevant factor, or they may prioritize other potential causes like stress, hormones, or musculoskeletal issues.
However, this oversight could mean missing a treatable root cause of chronic pain. Sleep apnea is often a “silent” condition—it occurs during sleep, and its symptoms can be mistaken for other issues like insomnia, anxiety, or depression.
Take Charge of Your Health in Erwin, Jonesborough, and Greeneville
If you’ve been struggling with migraines and haven’t been evaluated for sleep apnea, now is the time to act. Don’t wait for your provider to bring it up—ask the question yourself. You may even be eligible for a convenient home sleep test to start the process.
Tusculum Dental Care proudly serves the communities of Erwin, Jonesborough, and Greeneville, TN with compassionate, personalized care. If you think sleep apnea could be contributing to your migraines, we’re here to help.
📞 Call us today at (423) 639-4176 to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward better sleep—and fewer migraines.