There could be a few things going on if you keep waking up with a headache. For starters, a lack of sleep can result in a headache the next day. So the first step is to determine what, if anything, is interfering with your sleep. Continue reading to learn about other causes.
1. Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea, a condition in which you stop breathing periodically during the night, is a common cause of morning headaches. Your body then wakes you up and you resume breathing. You may be unaware that this is happening. Ask your partner or a friend if you snore loudly—this is often a red flag.
However, according to the National Library of Medicine's MedlinePlus resource, snoring does not always indicate sleep apnea. In either case, your doctor can refer you for a sleep study, which is the most accurate way of diagnosing sleep apnea.
2. Insomnia
According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, insomnia is a common sleep disorder that can cause difficulty falling or staying asleep or prevent good sleep (NHLBI). One of the health problems caused by the condition, according to the NHLBI, is headaches.
According to the NHLBI, symptoms of insomnia include taking a long time to fall asleep, sleeping for short periods of time, and waking up too early. You may also wake up sleepy and feel tired throughout the day.
3. Teeth Grinding
Overnight teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, can cause soreness in the jaw muscles and temporomandibular joint (or TMJ, which is also the commonly used name for the jaw disorder that sometimes involves grinding). That ache can turn into a headache.
You might not realize you're grinding your teeth, but symptoms include earache, muscle tenderness, tooth sensitivity, and a sore and painful jaw. According to MedlinePlus, these are all symptoms of bruxism. If the problem exists, your dentist will be able to detect it and help you treat TMJ.
4. Allergies
Your morning headaches could also be caused by bothersome allergens. Dust mite exposure while sleeping (they love to live in your sheets and mattress) can also cause sinus congestion, resulting in an aching head.
If you have allergies, try using allergy-proof bedding (special pillowcases, mattress covers, and duvets designed to keep mites at bay) and washing your sheets more frequently. If you've never seen an allergist before, they can help you find additional ways to relieve symptoms so you can wake up without a headache and sneeze for the rest of the day.
5. Migraines
According to MedlinePlus, although these recurring headaches can occur at any time, migraines are more common in the mornings. They frequently appear with moderate to severe pulsing or throbbing pain on one side of the head.
Other migraine symptoms include nausea, weakness, and sensitivity to light and sound. Auras are another potential symptom that can appear up to 24 hours before the headache.
6. Lack of Sleep or Oversleeping
According to a March 2019 paper published in the journal Neurological Sciences, sleeping too much or too little can be triggers for tension headaches. According to MedlinePlus, these often feel like a band squeezing your head. You might also experience pain or discomfort in your head, scalp, or neck.
7. Depression and Anxiety
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, depression and anxiety can also cause morning tension headaches. If you notice that your headaches occur when you are stressed or anticipate stress (for example, in the mornings before work), consult your healthcare provider to rule out a mental health condition as the cause.
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