Research shows that around one in every 13 of us experience headaches in the morning.
Morning headaches are more common in women and in people between the ages of 45 and 64, but they can affect anyone.
There are many reasons why you might wake up with a sore head, and causes can range from dehydration and poor pasture to stress and grinding teeth.
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So if you have been asking yourself, ‘Why do I wake up with a headache every morning?’ here are some potential reasons why.
Dehydration
A common cause of headaches is dehydration, which is when you lose more water than you take in. Morning headaches can occur if you become dehydrated overnight, either due to sweating or not drinking enough water the night before.
The good news is that dehydration is easily reversed. Try to replace the lost fluids during the day and your morning headaches should disappear.
Stress
The NHS has identified stress as a major headache trigger, particularly relaxing after stress.
This is because your stress hormones drop when the cause of tension subsides, which triggers a rapid release of neurotransmitters (chemical messenger that transmits signals between nerves). Neurotransmitters tell your blood vessels to constrict and dilate, which can cause pain in the form of headaches.
Your body relaxes during sleep, which could explain why a stressful day can cause a headache the following morning.
The NHS advises to introduce relaxation techniques like yoga or mindfulness, and not to sleep for more than 8 hours at a time, as this can cause headaches.
Research shows that morning headaches are more common in women -Credit:SCU
Poor posture
Your morning headache could even be explained by poor posture when you sleep. This creates tension in your upper back, neck or shoulders, which can in turn lead to headaches.
Headaches from bad posture are typically at the base of your skull or around the forehead.
The NHS advises to see a physical therapist if you feel your posture is causing headaches. They will help you to identify and correct any posture problems.
Teeth grinding
Grinding your teeth during your sleep is a common, and often overlooked, cause of morning headaches. The medical name for teeth grinding is bruxism, where you clench your jaw, often without realising it.
If you suspect you might have bruxism, talk to your dentist. They may advise that your wear a mouthguard while you sleep.
Sleep disorders
Morning headaches are a common symptom of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), which is when your breathing stops and starts while you sleep. Research suggests OSA affects between 2% and 9% of adults.
Speak with your GP if you are concerned sleep apnoea might be causing your headaches, especially if you also:
Insomnia is also a common cause of morning headaches. Scientists have identified a clear link between a lack of sleep and headaches as reduced sleep has shown to lower the body’s pain threshold.
See your GP if your headache keeps coming back -Credit:Getty Images/iStockphoto
How to avoid morning headaches
If you have a bad headache the NHS advises to:
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Drink plenty of water
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Rest if you also have cold or the flu
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Try to relax and de-stress
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Take paracetamol or ibuprofen
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Stay at home and avoid contact with others if you also feel unwell or have a fever
Although headaches are common and usually not a sign of something more serious, the NHS says to see a GP if:
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Your headache keeps coming back
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Painkillers do not help or it gets worse
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You have throbbing pain at the front or side of your head
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You feel sick, vomit or are sensitive to light or noise