Morning headache : possible causes

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Extract from the article: In the morning, some people feel like a drum beating loudly in their temples, feel nauseous or can't even open their eyes. Even if they take painkillers, the pain never goes away completely. They may feel it all day long. To avoid it, it's vital to k

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In the morning, some people feel like a drum beating loudly in their temples, feel nauseous or can't even open their eyes. Even if they take painkillers, the pain never goes away completely. They may feel it all day long. To avoid it, it's vital to know some of the causes.

Waking up with a headache is not uncommon. But these morning headaches should not be neglected, as in some cases they may reflect an underlying health problem.

High blood pressure

An increase in blood pressure in the blood vessels often occurs in the second half of the night, which can cause headaches on waking, hence the importance of having your blood pressure checked in the event of recurring headaches.

Inflammation of the nasal passages

Inflammation behind the nose, eyes and cheeks can cause terrible headaches when you wake up in the morning.

Sleep apnoea

This is when your breathing stops slightly while you sleep.As the brain does not receive oxygen for several seconds, a headache may be triggered when you wake up.

Alterations to sleep

Stress, daily worries or anxiety can alter the quality of sleep. Many people do not get enough sleep.Negative emotions and recurring nightmares also trigger migraines.  Outside noise and light are not conducive to rest and cause headaches when you wake up.

Muscle tension

If a person doesn't get enough sleep, or adopts a poor posture at bedtime, the muscles in the neck and shoulders become tense, which can lead to a headache.

Excessive use of medication

Excessive use of painkillers has a counter-productive effect. Instead of providing relief, these drugs can actually increase the pain. They include aspirin, paracetamol, decongestants, analgesics and narcotics.

Dehydration

Not drinking enough water upsets the fluid levels in the body. This makes it difficult for oxygen to get into the bloodstream and causes a headache.

Teeth grinding

Grinding your teeth when you sleep is an unconscious habit that tenses the jaw muscles and has a negative effect on the head, which can cause discomfort and pain in the head when you wake up.

Restless legs syndrome

This syndrome is described as an uncontrollable urge to move the lower extremities. It is one of the causes of impaired sleep, as it causes muscle spasms and keeps the brain constantly alert.This can lead to a headache when you wake up.

Natural remedy

Lemon and honey juice recipe: 1 lemon, 1 teaspoon honey, 1 cup warm water. Squeeze the lemon to extract the juice. Mix the lemon juice with the warm water. Add the honey and stir until dissolved. Take before breakfast and keep well hydrated.If this headache is recurrent, it's best to consult a health professional.

Abel OZIH

Article validated by Dr Jean-Claude Bakpatina, General Practitioner at the Floreal Clinic in Lomé.