Why headache in the morning: 5 common reasons

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Sometimes it's not a matter of drinking a few glasses of booze before bed.

1. Sleep problems

Apnea

In this disease, breathing becomes very shallow during sleep or even stops for a short time. Sleep apnea symptoms are snoring and frequent headaches in the morning.

You might have this problem if you:

• wake up often at night;
• feel sleepy during the day;
• sweat profusely during sleep;
• snore.

Sleep apnea can indicate more serious medical conditions, including heart problems and high blood pressure. If you notice these symptoms in yourself, see your doctor.

Lack of sleep

Experts advise adults to sleep 7-8 hours a day. According to the Sleep Disorders and Headache of the American Association for the Study of Headache, pain gets worse if you sleep less than 6 or more than 8.5 hours.

Here are some tips to help you improve your sleep quality.

• Go to bed and wake up at the same time.
• Avoid caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol. They disturb sleep.
• Try not to stimulate your brain before bed: don't watch TV or surf the Internet.
• Do something soothing, such as meditation.
• Keep a list of what helps you sleep well and what gets in the way.
• Create a comfortable sleeping environment. The room should be dark and quiet.
• Take a bath to relax before bed.
• Exercise regularly.

2. Depression and anxiety disorder

Mood disorders often lead to chronic headaches. Naturally, this negatively affects the quality of life. In addition, depression and anxiety are often accompanied by insomnia.

Scientists have discovered Headache, depression and anxiety: associations in the Eurolight project a link between mood disorders and headache. They analyzed data from 6,000 participants from different European countries, and it turned out that abusal (drug) headache is most often associated with depression and anxiety. It arises from overuse of pain relievers. In second place is tension headache, in third - migraine.

Nikita Zhukov is a neurologist-epileptologist, author of the books "Modicina" and "Modicina². Apologia ", creator of the resource Encyclopatia.

It is believed that it is safe to take NSAIDs (Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. - Ed.) For headaches no more than every other day. More frequent use already suggests that such a headache tends to become chronic. Painkillers will not correct this situation in any way, they will only aggravate it by masking the true nature of the pain.

Antidepressants are usually prescribed to treat mood disorders. Many of them help you sleep better and some prevent migraines. Therefore, if you notice signs of anxiety or depression in yourself, be sure to contact a specialist. Don't try to heal yourself.

3. Alcohol and psychotropic substances

Researchers studied the Prevalence and Risk Factors of Morning Headaches in the General Population link between headache and alcohol use by analyzing data from 19,000 participants from different countries. Those who drank more than six drinks a day were more likely to suffer from morning headaches than those who drank only one or two drinks.

Even the head hurts more often in those who take psychotropic drugs - Xanax, Valium, Zyprexu, which are often used to treat depression, anxiety and insomnia. Such study participants experienced morning headache 7-17% more often.

4. Bruxism

People with this condition grit their teeth and grind them while sleeping. Sometimes this is unconsciously repeated during the day. Bruxism is a movement disorder and causes severe headaches. In addition, it increases the risk of apnea.

Usually people do not realize that they are grinding their teeth in their sleep. The following symptoms will tell you that you have bruxism:

• loud gnashing of teeth that wakes up the one who sleeps with you;
• chips and cracks on the teeth that appeared for no apparent reason;
• painful sensitivity of the jaw or face;
• the muscles of the jaw get tired;
• the jaws do not open or close as they should;
• ear pain;
• tooth sensitivity, toothache;
• it is not clear where the damage came from on the inside of the cheeks;
• dull pain in the temples;
• sleep disorders;
• frequent headaches in the morning.

5. Serious health problems

Headache can be a symptom of serious health problems, including brain tumors, trauma, high blood pressure, or stroke. This headache is called secondary.

Here are the situations when you should see your doctor.

1. The headache recurs twice a week or more.
2. Previously, the head did not hurt, but now it often hurts. This is especially dangerous if you are over 50.
3. There is a sharp severe pain and stiffness in the neck.
4. The headache appeared after a head injury.
5. Along with the headache, there is a high fever, nausea, vomiting, and this is not explained by another disease.
6. Headache is accompanied by clouding or loss of consciousness, weakness, diplopia (you have double vision).
7. The nature or strength of pain changes dramatically.
8. Chronic headaches appear in a child.
9. The headache is accompanied by seizures or shortness of breath.
10. Frequent headaches occur in those with HIV or cancer.

conclusions

Many of the factors that cause morning headaches are closely related. Mental health problems like depression and anxiety often lead to alcohol abuse and sleep disorders. This, in turn, causes headaches. Therefore, first you need to identify the cause and try to eliminate it.

Quite often, headaches are simply caused by an inappropriate lifestyle. If you suspect that it is in him, first change something in your habits.

Any sane modern doctor will advise this in the first place, if he traces the connection with the way of life.

Nikita Zhukov

If you're unsure whether to take your headache seriously, look at the 4-3-1-2 NSAID criteria. They signal the possible presence of serious problems. In this case, additional examinations are needed.