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8 causes of morning headaches
8 causes of morning headaches
Anonim

The headache in the morning makes the whole day unbearable. The causes of ailment can be very different - from alcoholic libations the day before to serious illnesses, so you should not leave this unattended.

8 causes of morning headaches
8 causes of morning headaches

1. You don't sleep enough

Your body needs 7-8 hours of sleep to function properly. If you sleep less, the body thinks that something has happened and switches to emergency mode.

Hormones respond to stress by triggering a fight-or-flight mechanism, resulting in a faster heart rate and higher blood pressure. All this contributes to the occurrence of headaches.

Salvatore Napoli MD and specialist at the New England Neurology Center

“All OTC drugs like ibuprofen or naproxen will help you get through the morning,” says Dr. Napoli. "They will ease the pain by blocking the hormones that cause the pain."

And if after taking the medicine you still feel overwhelmed and sick, then spend 20-30 minutes on naps, which will give your body a rest. Sleeping longer can make you feel worse and your headache worse.

Returning to your normal sleep cycle will save you pain the next morning.

2. You sleep too much

If not getting enough sleep is causing your headache, getting some sleep will help yourself, won't you? It was not so. “A night's sleep of more than 9 hours is associated with a decrease in serotonin levels,” explains Dr. Napoli. "Low serotonin levels reduce blood flow to the brain and cause headaches."

This is one of the reasons why you feel lousy when you get up later than usual. This type of headache tends to happen on weekends when you're more likely to sleep longer.

According to Dr. Napoli, pain relievers will help solve the problem, but it is better to change the regimen and sleep no more than 7-8 hours. Set an alarm for the weekend.

3. Endorphins let you down

In the early morning, the body produces few endorphins, the hormones of happiness. In some people, it causes migraines.

Low endorphins can lower levels of other neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, which decreases production of which leads to vasoconstriction, which in turn leads to insufficient blood circulation in the brain and can cause headaches.

Mark Khorsandi Doctor of Osteopathy and Founder of the Dallas and Fort Worth Migraine Center

However, experts themselves do not know why some people have headaches and others do not. According to Dr. Khorsandi, in this case, morning workouts are the only way to get rid of the malaise. Physical activity stimulates the production of endorphins.

4. You drank last night

Alcohol abuse can lead to severe headaches. You don't have to get drunk to get hungover the next day.

“Even a small amount of alcohol can make you thirsty because blood flow to the brain is reduced. And now you have a headache, says Dr. Khorsandi. "Alcohol can also interfere with a good night's sleep - that's another cause of headaches."

“The best way to feel better is to rehydrate,” advises Khorsandi. - Water or isotonic drinks that athletes use during training will help you. Vitamin C in tablets or in powder form, dissolved in water, will help the liver to remove alcohol from the body faster and more efficiently.

5. You snore

Snoring like a tractor is a sign of sleep apnea. Snoring can cause choking, shortness of breath, and even temporary stopping of breathing at night while you sleep.

“These moments of respiratory arrest last only a few seconds, but lead to a decrease in the amount of oxygen in the brain,” says Dr. Khorsandi.

Experts do not yet have an exact answer why this can lead to headaches. Some experts speculate that a decrease in oxygen may cause blood vessels in the brain to expand, increasing blood flow and pressure in the head. As a result of all this, pain arises.

You may not even be aware that you have sleep apnea if you sleep alone and there is no one to complain about your snoring. If you suspect you have this problem, talk to your doctor, who will recommend additional ways to check for you. If you are diagnosed with this disease, you will have to use a special device that creates constant positive pressure during sleep. This will help end the headache.

6. You are late with a cup of coffee

Caffeine acts as a nervous system stimulant. If you drink coffee regularly and once did not get your dose (for example, overslept or trying to quit drinking coffee), then you may feel a head splitting.

Eliminating caffeine from the diet dilates the blood vessels in the brain, resulting in increased blood flow to the brain and increased pressure, which causes headaches.

Salvator Napoli MD and specialist at the New England Neurology Center

You are more likely to get a headache if you drink a lot of coffee or drink it at the same time every morning. In this case, taking a cup will be the best way to cheer up. If you are trying to break your habit, then gradually reduce the amount of coffee you consume over a week or two, rather than go in one fell swoop.

7. You are depressed

Depression headaches can happen any time of the day. This is due to low serotonin levels.

“But, most likely, the pain will manifest itself in the morning. Depression can disrupt your normal sleep schedule, and sleeping too short, like sleeping too long, can lead to headaches, explains Dr. Napoli. "Pain can negatively affect your mood, thereby triggering a vicious circle."

Over-the-counter drugs can only help for a while. The best solution is to eliminate the cause. If you suspect you are depressed, see your doctor. Antidepressants or special therapy can get you back to normal and help with headache problems.

8. You have high blood pressure

“If you have high blood pressure - 140/90 mm Hg. Art. or higher - your blood actually increases the pressure in your head, explains Dr. Horsandi. "High blood pressure is a common cause of headaches."

A lot of people are unaware that they have high blood pressure until they show symptoms other than a headache, which you may associate with something else.

See your doctor if headaches come on frequently and unexpectedly. If your blood pressure is too high, your doctor will recommend a lifestyle change - diet or exercise - or prescribe medication.

Usually, the causes of morning headaches can be determined independently. In rare cases, pain may indicate a serious internal problem, such as a brain tumor or aneurysm. “Consult your doctor if you are prone to headaches (morning or other time of the day), which you suffer from more than twice a week for 3-6 months,” advises Dr. Napoli.

“You should also see your doctor if a headache is undermining or affecting your life. An MRI or EEG (studies that measure the electrical activity of your brain) will tell you more about what's going on in your brain. You should also check your eyes: headaches can be caused by overexertion,”recommends Dr. Khorsandi.

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