What causes a headache upon waking up from sleep?
Apr 20, 2023
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Jun
Introduction
Headaches upon waking up may be caused by non-pathological factors such as lack of sleep, or by pathological conditions such as neuralgia or cerebrovascular diseases. There are many possible reasons for headaches after waking, and in addition to the aforementioned causes, cervical spondylosis could also be a contributing factor. If headaches recur frequently, persist despite attempts to relieve them, or worsen over time, medical evaluation and treatment are necessary.
Generally, headaches upon waking up from sleep may be caused by non-pathological factors such as lack of sleep, or by pathological conditions such as neuralgia or cerebrovascular diseases. Specific causes are as follows:
Non-pathological factors
Lack of sleep
Going to bed too late, poor sleep quality, or insufficient sleep duration can prevent the brain from getting adequate, high-quality rest, leading to headaches, dizziness, or sleepiness upon waking. Patients should adjust their sleeping environment for comfort, avoid staying up late, and refrain from drinking strong tea before bedtime.
Pathological factors
1. Neuralgic headache
When nerves remain in a tense state, they cannot fully relax during sleep. This causes contraction of head muscles and spasms of blood vessels, resulting in neuralgic headaches, such as migraines. Patients should work to improve their mental state and maintain relaxation. Medications may be taken under medical guidance when necessary, such as estazolam tablets, indomethacin tablets, or clonazepam capsules.
2. Cerebrovascular diseases
If a patient has conditions such as hypertension or hyperlipidemia, headaches upon waking might be due to cerebral arteriosclerosis. Hardened blood vessels have impaired vasomotor function, which affects cerebral blood supply and leads to headaches caused by brain ischemia and hypoxia. Timely medication intervention is required.
There are many possible causes of headaches upon waking. Besides the factors mentioned above, cervical spondylosis could also be responsible. If headaches recur frequently, persist despite treatment, or worsen over time, medical evaluation and treatment are necessary.
