Does Michelle Bachmann Have Sleep Apnea?

July 21, 2011

I know I’m going to be accused again of suggesting that another celebrity or politician has obstructive sleep apnea, but here I go anyway:

An article in the New York Times ran an article about Michelle Bachmann’s ability to run our country if she suffers from chronic migraines. This question seems to be a moot point, since she seems to be doing a good job as a legislator for her home state of Minnesota. I’m sure various other political candidates and current leaders all have various health issues that are just as severe than migraines, if not worse.

The reasons for even bringing up this story is to present my observation that almost everyone that I see who has a history of chronic migraines has small upper airway anatomy, small jaws and dental crowding. Ms. Bachmann may or may not have sleep apnea, but it’s likely that she has upper airway resistance syndrome. This is a condition where you have multiple breathing pauses every hour during sleep, but not severe or long enough to be called an apnea, hypopnea, or RERA. Typically, they’ll show up as spontaneous arousals. Or not even scored at all on a sleep study.

These events don’t lead to low oxygen levels, but do result in severe sleep fragmentation and lack of deep, efficient sleep. This can cause a physiologic state of stress, leading to generalized muscle tension, headaches, TMJ, and various other health ailments. It also causes your nervous system to become overly sensitive. A migraine is essentially an exaggerated nervous system response to poor sleep.

Most migraineurs complains of poor-qualtiy, unrefreshing sleep, cold hands or feet, an inability to sleep on their backs, and a parent that snores heavily. Later on, as they gain weight, migraines will typically fade away slowly, and the typical features of obstructive sleep apnea will present. However, some women (and some men) will persist in having migraines until their 60s or 70s.

Notice the classic features of a migraine: headache, nausea, sensitivity of the senses (light, sound, smell, taste). Typically, it resolves by sleeping. These are also very similar to symptoms of a bad hangover. Severe deep sleep deprivation is known to cause symptoms that are very similar to a hangover, including brain-fog.

As Ms. Bachmann approaches her 60s and past the menopausal years, her migraines will probably subside. Unfortunately, her risk of developing obstructive sleep apnea will increase. But she’ll be in good company. A significant number of her fellow politicians already have obstructive sleep apnea (mostly undiagnosed).

Written by Steven Park · Filed Under Blog | 1 Comment

Ask Dr. Park: Neurologic Complications of Obstructive Sleep Apnea

October 26, 2010

We already know that obstructive sleep apnea can cause stroke, but can it can also cause central sleep apnea or even Alzheimer’s? How can it lead to various other unexpected conditions such as migraines, headaches, dizziness, lightheadedness, various stomach ailments, and even ringing, hearing loss, or vertigo? Hear Dr. Park’s answers and what you can do to prevent it.

Topic: Neurologic Complications of Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Price: $17

Please click here to purchase the MP3 recording.

Written by Steven Park · Filed Under Expert Interviews, Sleep | 1 Comment

The Hangover Dehydration Myth

December 7, 2009

If you’ve ever suffered from a hangover, the pounding headache, facial pressure, sensitivity to lights and loud noises will be familiar. Most people will also have a very dry, raw throat, and this is usually blamed on dehydration that’s caused by drinking too much alcohol. As far as I know, there’s no scientific proof that drinking alcohol causes significant dehydration.

Furthermore, notice that many of the features of a hangover, which usually happen only after waking from sleep after drinking too much, resemble the same symptoms when someone suffers from a migraine headache: pounding headache, nasal and sinus pressure and congestion, light and sound sensitivity, lightheadedness and imbalance, brain fog, and nausea.

Interestingly, there’s another condition that give you headaches when you wake up in the morning: obstructive sleep apnea. Not too surprisingly, you’ll have a pounding headache, sinus pain and pressure, light and sound sensitivity, and mild nausea, and brain fog. Numerous studies clearly document that alcohol can worsen or uncover obstructive sleep apnea.

This is not too surprising, since alcohol is a strong muscle relaxant, causing your throat muscles to collapse and obstruct your breathing every time you go into deep sleep. When your throat obstructs, you’ll create a vacuum effect in your throat, which literally suctions up your normal stomach juices into your throat. This is why your throat is so dry and sore in the morning during a hangover. Not getting any deep sleep will give you pounding headaches, nausea, light and sound sensitivity, and brain fog.

This process also explains why some people are less susceptible to hangovers, no matter how much thy drink. If your throat anatomy is wide to begin with, muscle relaxation and collapse won’t progress to the point of obstruction and arousals as often.

What’s your take on hangovers? Please enter your opinion below in the comments box.

Written by Steven Park · Filed Under Blog | 3 Comments

Take Charge of Your Headaches

November 13, 2009

A Better Way to Treat Your Headaches….

Another of Dr. Park’s Expert Interview Series, where headache and migraine expert, Dr. David Buchholz, reveals his proven and effective methods for stopping your recurring headaches.

Here’s what you’ll learn during this teleseminar:

The biggest mistakes people make when treating headaches and what you can do to avoid them

What causes headaches and what you can do to prevent it

Why most doctors are not properly trained to treat headaches and what you can do to get the best treatment possible

What you can do to prevent headaches without resorting to harmful medications

Which medications, if any, are most effective for treating headaches and migraines

Dr. David Bucholz is a Johns Hopkins neurologist and author of the groundbreaking book Heal Your Headache: The 1-2-3 Program for Taking Charge of Your Pain. Having served as the Director of the Neurological Consultation Clinic at Hopkins, he has had extensive experience in successfully treating hundreds of headache sufferers overcome and take control of their pain.

Dr. Buchholz’s insights on headaches and migraines are enlightening. During this 67 minute interview, Dr. Buchholz and answers your questions. Buy your copy of this special event today, available in 4 easy to access formats: