Friday, May 18, 2012

Use naps to manage headaches.. or not?

I'm guilty. The best way for me to quickly get rid of a headache is to take a small nap. However, a new study links mid-day napping (to relieve tension pressure) to unwanted insomnia effects. 


Lead investigator and  assistant professor of behavioral sciences at Rush University Medical Center, Jason C. Ong, Ph.D, said, “Insomnia is a common complaint among headache sufferers. While napping may relieve pain, it may also result in poor sleep hygiene, thus triggering sleep disturbance or perpetuating an insomnia episode,” said Ong.


The study looked at 65 women; 32 who had tension-type headaches as according to the International Headache Society System and 33 who were used as a control who felt minimal pain. Overall it reported that the connection between day time naps to cope with pain and insomnia is important to look at for developing behavioral sleep interventions.


So, have you ever napped to get rid of a headache? Did you have a hard time falling asleep at night?

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