Naked Science Forum
Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => Topic started by: Karen W. on 06/08/2009 14:44:08
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You see.. I have noticed on the occasions when I fall asleep without my C-PAP machine on, that If I have a successful night of sleep without waking, that I wake with a mind numbing horrific headache! Not only that, but I feel sluggish, tired and worn out!
Is this normal?
Can simple lack of oxygen or the difficulty getting enough air cause Headaches and symtoms like that?
I know I need my machine but there are nights when I am so comfy that I nod off before my application of mask and machine paraphernalia. At that point I am out cold.. does not happen often but when it does it seems the same every time!
Well do you think its possible?
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Hi Kareny Mam,
I can imagine that a lack of oxygen would indeed manifest as a headache....and would also contribute to a severe lack of energy.
Are you only supposed to use this machine when asleep ?..I gather it's not a portable device ?
I am asking because I wondered if the tirednesss and headaches go away if at the point of waking up, you then use your machine !
As ewe know, I am not an expert at this so I hope some expert advice comes along !
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Hi Kareny Mam,
I can imagine that a lack of oxygen would indeed manifest as a headache....and would also contribute to a severe lack of energy.
Are you only supposed to use this machine when asleep ?..I gather it's not a portable device ?
I am asking because I wondered if the tirednesss and headaches go away if at the point of waking up, you then use your machine !
As ewe know, I am not an expert at this so I hope some expert advice comes along !
It is portable but used only during sleep although It was outfitted with added oxygen for a while when I was having so much trouble getting air..but that is no longer the case.. That has been removed...
I wonder if that would do any good after waking...? Good point.. a nice stroll outside might be effective also for filling up the lungs I might try that.. maybe my headache will go away faster that way.. usually takes a while after being up and about before it goes away.
Thank you I will try that!
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if your oxygen levels dip your brain will wake you up so you start taking deeper/bigger breaths for a while, you wont remember being woken up but it does happen. Consequently, you lack the decent deep sleep that we need to rest properly and thus feel tired and worn out int he morning as well as a headache.
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Sleep apnea (or sleep apnoea in British English) is a sleep disorder characterized by pauses in breathing during sleep. Each episode, called an apnea, lasts long enough so that one or more breaths are missed, and such episodes occur repeatedly throughout sleep … other indicators include … morning headaches, irritability/mood-swings/depression, learning and/or memory difficulties ...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sleep_apnea
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if your oxygen levels dip your brain will wake you up so you start taking deeper/bigger breaths for a while, you wont remember being woken up but it does happen. Consequently, you lack the decent deep sleep that we need to rest properly and thus feel tired and worn out int he morning as well as a headache.
Well Bingo.. Thats probably the trouble then.. Gotten so used to wearing the mask that I forgot about the fact that I used to wake with a headache most mornings but they were migraines...I must say though that they stopped after my machine usage and I did not even associate them with sleep apnea!
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Can I throw a spanner in the works. I agree with views above and yes lack of decent deep sleep along with poor oxygenation can cause headaches. Am assuming you've had a sleep study to get the CPAP so tell your consultant of this in case there is something else going on.
Spanner bit. Could be a postural element too. If you are falling asleep before you've lain down properly and then spend the night with your head unsupported and in an awkward position, can really put the back out of joint and cause a headache. Maybe part of the ritual of settling in with the oxygen machine is also finding an optimal sleeping position. Just throwing another thing to think about....
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I do know there are times I wake and my head has dropped backwards a bit and it is usually those times when my headaches are at their worse.. and some of those last for days... they are horrible! So you make a good point. I can not sleep laying flat I am betterin a semi erect position it is just that my body needs to stretch out more reclined and on those occasions I usually end up awake most all night but it allows my body to relax in a better position even though the sleep is not there or very much less restful. There is no need for oxygen at this point my airways are better and my cpap seems to be doing better. It was adjusted a second time when my sleep was getting patchy again.
Yes I had a couple different sleep studies and the consultants were great!
Thanks for your advice.. I probably need to have it all checked again anyway!
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You see.. I have noticed on the occasions when I fall asleep without my C-PAP machine on, that If I have a successful night of sleep without waking, that I wake with a mind numbing horrific headache! Not only that, but I feel sluggish, tired and worn out!
What is C-PAP machine?
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What is C-PAP machine?
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=cpap
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CPAP Machines. CPAP is an acronym for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure; a device that provides a fixed amount of pressurized air and is used for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea, sleep disordered breathing and snoring.
And the answer to the original question is "yes". Been there.
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Thanks Alan, I am sorry I had not seen this in september... I am still having headaches upon waking but no relief on a regular base. I have found that after buying a small travel pillow that fits around back of my neck in a "U" shape, that I have headaches with far less pain intensity..I believe it keeps my head from dropping backwards too far at night. It has not eliminated them, but helped ease them a bit.