5 Frequent Causes of Headaches Upon Waking

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Waking up with a headache? Yeah, it’s more than just an annoying way to start the day. It could mean something bigger is going on. Sure, everyone gets a headache once in a while, but if it’s a regular thing first thing in the morning, that’s a whole new level of concern. The problem? It’s not always easy to figure out why this is happening because there’s a ton of potential causes. But don't stress, you can get to the bottom of it. If these headaches are ruining your mornings (and possibly your whole day), it’s time to talk to a doctor. They’ll go over your medical history, run some tests, and help you figure out what’s really going on.

Here are five common reasons for waking up with a headache and what you can do about it:

1. Primary Headache Disorder

The most common cause of morning headaches is a primary headache disorder, which means that a person gets the same sort of recurring headache with no clear explanation. Your morning headaches can be caused by primary headache disorders like:

- Migraine. Over 39 percent of Americans have migraine headaches. Migraine symptoms include moderate to severe pain, nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light, and sensitivity to sound. While some people get migraines throughout the day, others may experience them during sleep or in the morning. 

- Cluster headache. Cluster headache is the next most prevalent type of headache that affects people in the morning. It is commonly referred to as an alarm clock headache since it occurs at the same time every night. The pain is often terrible and acute and usually occurs on one side of the face, head, or behind the eye. It lasts from 15 minutes to 3 hours.

While migraine and cluster headaches are the most common causes of morning headaches, you may also have a hypnic headache or turtle headache. Hypnic headache is another type of alarm clock headache that usually affects people after the age of 50. The pain from this type of headache may last up to 3 hours. Turtle headache is a rare sleep-associated headache with a repetitive pattern that occurs at the same time every night. 

2. Sleep Disorders

Sleep problems can be behind those morning headaches. Take sleep apnea, for example, where your breathing stops and starts while you sleep, messing with the oxygen your brain needs, and leading to a headache. Poor sleep quality or oversleeping can also trigger them.

These headaches are usually mild and affect both sides of your head, without nausea or light sensitivity. If you think sleep apnea or another sleep issue might be the cause, talk to your doctor. Untreated sleep problems can lead to bigger issues, like heart disease.

3. Medications

Some medications—especially pain relievers—can be behind those morning headaches. If you're popping too many pills to relieve headaches, whether prescription or over-the-counter, your body might start craving them after a few hours. That craving can kick off a headache when you wake up.

Other meds, like diuretics or sleep aids, might also be playing a role. They can mess with your hydration levels or mess up your sleep, both of which can leave you with a headache in the morning.

4. Teeth Grinding

Bruxism is a term used to describe tooth grinding or jaw clenching. If you clench or grind your teeth, the muscles surrounding the jaw may become quite sore, leading to TMJ disorder. If you experience a lot of tension and pain in your jaw muscle, it can aggravate the underlying headache you have. That means that if you are already prone to migraines and have low-grade discomfort in the temple area, it can reduce the threshold for migraines and increase their frequency. 

If you regularly wake up with jaw pain and headaches, you need to seek medical help. You need to get TMJ treatment to relieve morning headaches and reduce the frequency of migraines.

5. Stress

Stress? Yep, it’s a big one for those morning headaches. It messes with your hormones, tightens up your muscles, and messes with your sleep—all the stuff that can trigger a headache. Plus, stress can make anxiety or depression worse, and both of those are headache culprits, too.

Stress-induced headaches can feel like tension headaches or migraines, especially if you’re not getting enough sleep. The good news? Managing stress can really help. Try relaxing, getting some exercise, or even talking to a professional. It can cut down on how often and how bad those morning headaches get.