Why do I get a Headache at Night?
Maybe they start right after supper, right when you're getting ready for bed. Perhaps they occur right before you lay down on the pillow. They might even wake you up during the night. No matter when they occur, headaches at night are annoying.
Headaches at night time that keep you up at night can cause further issues the next day, like grogginess and irritation.
What causes a headache at night?
1. Tension headaches
Most people experience a tension headache at some point. The pain associated with them ranges from mild to severe.
Experts aren't sure the exact cause of tension headaches, but they're often caused by stress, exhaustion, and muscle tension. All of this can appear at the end of a long day
For some people, teeth grinding causes tension headaches. If the headache is severe enough, it can wake you up. Muscle strains in the head, neck, and shoulders cause the most common type of headache. Tension headaches can be caused by stress, poor posture, and eye strain.
2. Cluster headaches
A cluster headache is an extremely painful type of headache that occurs in clusters.
People with this condition report feeling like they've been stabbed in the eye by a stone stick. They are called cluster headaches because they tend to happen repeatedly over several weeks or months before disappearing for a while.
They can also include other signs such eye redness, weeping, and nasal congestion. They are characterized by severe pain around one eye.
3. Migraines
Migraines can happen at any time, but are most common in the morning or evening. They are often accompanied by other symptoms such as nausea, sensitivity to light and sound, and visual disturbances.
Migraines are frequently provoked by the following factors:
hormonal changes around your period, pregnancy or menopause
changes in weather and atmospheric pressure
certain foods and food additives
changes in sleep patterns
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sensory stimulation, such as smell, sound, or light
If you're not sure what's causing your migraines, try keeping a record of when they occur. Take note of the time of day, what you were doing, the weather, and anything else that may help you narrow down your triggers.
4. Hypnic headache
The only sort of headache that only happens at night is a hypnic headache. Because it only occurs when someone is asleep, it is frequently referred to as an alarm clock headache.
Moreover, they frequently occur each evening at the same hour.
Hypnic headaches are uncommon and usually start beyond the age of 50.
The pain can be minor to severe and usually affects both sides of the head. Additional signs and symptoms include:
a headache that lasts 15 minutes to 4 hours after waking up nausea and vomiting, in rare circumstances
Experts are unsure what causes hypnic headaches, and there are no identified triggers, like with cluster headaches.
5. Sinus headache
These are caused by inflammation and congestion in the sinuses and can be exacerbated by lying down at night.
6. Sleep apnea
7. Medication side effects
How do I know which type of headache I have?
While certain headaches have distinctive characteristics that make them simple to diagnose, the majority of headaches aren't so simple.
It can be worthwhile to schedule a visit with your doctor if you frequently experience headaches at night but don't know why. They can assist you in identifying the specific sort of headache you are experiencing or help you rule out any underlying disorders that might be to blame.
They'll likely question you in order to accomplish this. They could relate to:
1. Severity of your pain:
Does your headache wake you up at night? Do they keep you awake? How much sleep do you lose because of headaches? Is this the worst pain you've ever felt?2. The type of pain you feel:
Is the pain dull and aching Sharp and stabbed? Do you feel like your eyes are on fire? Does it throb, rhythmically or steadily?3. Location of your pain:
Does it affect one side of your head or both? Does it only affect the forehead, or the back and sides of your head? Does the pain radiate to your neck or shoulder? Is the pain concentrated around one eye?4. Any related symptoms:
Are you nauseated or vomiting? Do you feel dizzy or very sensitive to light and sound?
5. What works and what doesn't:
Are there things that make the headache better or worse?6. Headache Timing:
Does it only happen when you sleep? Do they happen at the same time every night?7. Duration of your symptoms:
How long have these headaches been? When did they first start? Have you ever had a headache in your life?8. All warning signs:
Are there symptoms such as blurred vision or mood swings that precede the headache?9. Possible triggers:
Have you noticed that eating certain foods at night gives you a headache? Do your symptoms match your menstrual cycle pattern?How are headaches at night treated?
1. Painkillers that are available over-the-counter:
For mild to moderate headaches, you can take aspirin, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen. Nonetheless, it's crucial to adhere to the suggested dosage and not go over the daily maximum.
2. prescription medications:
If over-the-counter analgesics are ineffective, your doctor might recommend harsher drugs such triptans or opioids.
3. Changes in lifestyle:
Some lifestyle factors, such as stress, poor sleep patterns, and dehydration, can cause nighttime headaches. Stress reduction, excellent sleep hygiene, and drinking plenty of water are all things that can help prevent headaches.
4. Underlying condition treatment:
If your headaches are caused by an underlying medical condition, such as sleep apnea or sinusitis, addressing the underlying illness may help relieve the headaches.
5. Relaxation techniques:
Stress can cause headaches, therefore practicing relaxation techniques like deep breathing exercises, meditation, or yoga may help lessen the frequency and intensity of headaches.
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