Health News Desk, Almost 1 in every 13 people has a headache as soon as they wake up in the morning. These headaches usually occur more in women than in men. This can happen due to many reasons such as sleep or health disorders, as well as personal habits, which can cause headaches upon waking up. Sleep apnea, migraine, and lack of sleep are common causes of morning headaches. Alcohol consumption and certain medications can also cause you to wake up with a headache. Sometimes morning headaches come from a combination of disorders or habits. As you transition from sleep to wakefulness, parts of your brain also begin to “wake up.”
According to the news published in India TV, our brain becomes more sensitive to changes in our body position, touch and sound. During this period of increased sensitivity, you may be more sensitive to pain. Furthermore, the hypothalamus in the brain is involved in both sleep and pain processes. The hypothalamus regulates your natural circadian rhythm and sleep cycle and controls sensation and pain. Disturbances in the hypothalamus during sleep affect your ability to tolerate pain. As a result, you may not have felt pain while sleeping and may still feel pain in the morning.
Chronic morning headaches are usually either migraines or tension headaches. Migraines often involve severe pain in one location along with symptoms such as sensitivity to light or nausea. Tension headaches are caused by pressure around the head. Individuals suffering from depression and/or anxiety are more likely to experience tension headaches. Migraine is also linked to mental health problems as it can cause fatigue which makes life challenging.
Insomnia and headaches are also linked together. Poor sleep quality can cause headaches, and better sleep quality can help get relief. Oversleeping or sleeping too much can also affect your morning headaches. Both low-quality sleep and prolonged sleep are associated with more intense headaches.
People with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) experience pauses or interruptions in breathing during sleep. OSA affects 2% to 9% of adults. Morning headache is a common symptom of OSA. In one study of people with OSA, 29% reported suffering from morning headaches.
Heavy consumption of at least six drinks in one evening has been linked to morning headaches. However, even at low levels, alcohol affects sleep and can cause morning headaches for a number of reasons. Alcohol also increases urination and fluid loss, leading to mild dehydration. Headache is a common side effect of dehydration. Additionally, alcohol can be a trigger for migraine.
