People might wake up with a headache for a variety of reasons. You might experience a headache after not sleeping well the previous night or under too much. But in some people, morning headaches are a regular affair. Keep reading to identify the top headache reasons.
- Circadian Rhythm Disorders
If you suffer from circadian rhythm disorders, you are more likely to get morning headaches. Circadian rhythm disorders occur due to misalignment with the standard cycle of sleeping and waking up. An irregular sleep cycle is often responsible for triggering headaches.
- Snoring
People who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea snore. But you might be snoring even when you don’t have obstructive sleep apnea. Snoring is often the leading cause of morning headaches. Psychological stress, insomnia, and a history of migraine trigger headaches associated with snoring.
- Migraine
Migraines are one of the most common causes of headaches after waking up. Women and people with sleep disorders are highly likely to suffer from migraine attacks. Moreover, people with migraines are also prone to inadequate sleep.
- Teeth Grinding
The medical connotation of clenching or grinding teeth during sleep is bruxism. The forceful movement causes tooth wear, gum damage and muscle pain. You will also wake up with an intense headache if you have sleep bruxism. The condition usually occurs because of an ill-shaped jaw, sleep disruption, stress and anxiety. Heavy consumption of caffeine and alcohol also causes this condition.
- Sleep Apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea leads to stopped or disrupted breathing while sleeping. Morning headaches are one of the most visible symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea. A CPAP machine can reduce or help you eliminate headaches associated with sleep apnea.
- Insomnia
Sleep deprivation is a common reason for headaches. Therefore, people with insomnia often wake up with headaches in the morning. Insomnia makes people struggle with falling asleep. It causes people with insomnia to feel sluggish and unrested throughout the day.
- Oversleeping
While sleepless nights are a reason behind headaches, oversleeping can also trigger them. Sleeping for longer periods can often lead to intense headaches. Keeping your eyes shut for extra hours is responsible for an oversleeping headache.
- Strained Muscles
Strained muscles also cause early morning headaches on your neck. Change your sleeping position to get relief from this type of morning headache. Pillows help you maintain a sleeping position that offers adequate support to your neck and spine.
Finding the right pillow is necessary to sleep comfortably. Your pillow must be able to keep your head and neck in a position like standing. Soft pillows are incapable of holding your neck and spine properly.
But hard pillows also make an uncomfortable angle for your body. You should replace your pillow as often as required to find the perfect one. Find a pillow that can support the correct sleeping posture.
- Anxiety and Depression
People with mood disorders are more likely to suffer from migraines. Having one condition increases the likelihood of another. Mental health issues also lead to insomnia and increase the risk of morning headaches.
You must speak to your doctor if you suffer from mental health conditions. Doctors will help you manage these conditions with medication, therapy, and a combination of different treatment methods. Managing these conditions is necessary for minimizing the frequency of morning headaches.
- Certain Medications
Headaches can also be a side effect of several prescription drugs or over-the-counter pills. You might try taking over-the-counter pills for headaches. However, they can contribute to an ongoing cycle of chronic headaches. But overnight withdrawal from drugs can also lead to headaches in the morning. Some medicines that can trigger headaches are as follows:
- Aspirin
- Opioids
- Triptans
- Paracetamol or acetaminophen
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
- Anti-anxiety medications
Consult your healthcare provider immediately if you think any of these medicines are contributing to morning headaches.
- Hangover
Heavy drinking on the previous night often leads to an intense headache in the morning. Even at lower levels, alcohol hampers your sleep and leads to headaches in the morning. When you consume alcohol, you fall asleep faster than usual. But your sleep gets disrupted, and you wake up earlier than usual.
Alcohol also increases the frequency of urination and causes mild dehydration. Dehydration is also a major cause of headaches in the morning. Moreover, alcohol also triggers migraine attacks.
Final Thoughts
Hopefully, you are aware of all the major causes of headaches now. If you are unable to identify the reason behind your headaches, book an appointment with a trained medical practitioner.
