You Have a Headache Every Morning, and Here's Why and What You Can Do About It
If you have a headache when you first open your eyes in the morning, or if you wake up with a headache on a consistent basis, you may want to do some investigating.
Do you frequently have headaches first thing in the morning? Do you have a headache first thing in the morning? Clearly, you need to do some investigating. In most cases, a headache in the morning doesn't just appear out of thin air. There's probably a reason you've been experiencing throbbing pain in your head every morning. To get rid of the headaches, you'll need to identify the source.
In order to help you get started, here are the 10 most common causes of morning headaches and some suggestions for dealing with them.
What Role Does Sleep Deprivation Play in Morning Headaches
If you wake up with a throbbing pain in your head every morning, you may be like the millions of other people who attribute it to something as simple as their lifestyle, sleep schedule, or sleeping position. However, your state of mind can also play a role in what sets off those morning headaches.
You may be asking, "Why do I always seem to wake up with a headache?" Here are some of the most typical reasons for this to happen:
1. Sleep Deprivation
Lack of sleep may be to blame if you feel like you always have a headache when you wake up. Insomnia occurs when a person has trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, waking up at an abnormally early hour, or both. 
Morning headaches are more likely to occur in people who get less than seven hours of sleep per night on a regular basis.
People who wake up frequently in pain find it difficult to fall asleep, and insomnia is the most common complaint among those people, according to the American Headache Society. Lack of sleep increases the likelihood of waking up with a headache because headaches are also affected by the same brain regions that regulate sleep.
See a doctor if you're having trouble sleeping, whether it's temporary or chronic. Your doctor may prescribe medication or recommend therapy to help you get a good night's rest based on your sleep history and symptoms.
Snoring and/or Sleep Apnea
As a result of sleep apnea, breathing stops and starts repeatedly and briefly throughout the night. While loud snoring is a common symptom of sleep apnea, it is not a universally shared trait among those who suffer from the disorder.
It's a major risk factor for morning headaches and fatigue because the condition disrupts normal sleep and can wake a person several times during the night. Lack of sleep increases the production of pain-inducing proteins, increasing sensitivity to pain and increasing the likelihood of waking up with a headache.
There are treatments available for people who suffer from sleep apnea, but a proper diagnosis is required. In order to improve your health, your doctor may suggest that you cut back on food and drink intake, abstain from alcohol, and/or give up smoking. Breathing easier in your sleep is another benefit of using a continuous positive airway pressure machine.
Thirdly, excessive slumber
It may sound counterintuitive, but sleep deprivation can also cause headaches in the morning. Oversleeping is commonly attributable to subpar nighttime sleep or a diagnosable mental health disorder like depression. Both conditions increase the likelihood of experiencing morning headaches.
Tense or strained muscles
Strain or tension in the muscles at the back of the neck or the scalp increases the likelihood of getting a tension headache. Excessive tension on your scalp can also be a source of headache pain. One or more of the following may be to blame if you're experiencing persistent tension in your head or neck:
- Tension that persists over time
- Lack of posture
- Poorly fitting hairdos
- Assumptions while sleeping
Having a headache in the morning due to tension in your neck or head may also be a result of sleeping on the wrong pillow. Use a pillow that supports your neck and head independently of the rest of your spine to lessen the likelihood of neck and back pain.
Gnashing of Teeth as a Fifth Cause of Wear and Tear
Teeth grinding (also known as bruxism) may be the cause of your chronic morning headaches and tired, achy jaw. Teeth grinding is a common cause of morning headaches due to sore jaw muscles and tendons.
Dentists can provide relief if you find out you grind your teeth at night. A night guard could be recommended for you to use while sleeping, or you could require orthodontic work to correct crooked teeth. Stress and sleep disturbances are also potential causes of bruxism. See a therapist if you can't handle your stress on your own.
6. Drugs and Vitamins
Morning headaches are no fun, but you may be tempted to take more pain medication than usual to get through the day. Particular OTC and prescription drugs, especially when used frequently, can cause morning headaches. 
Among these are:
- Inflammation medication that isn't steroidal
- Acetaminophen
- Aspirin
- Opioid-based pain relievers
Taking any of these drugs before bed can disrupt your body's natural rhythms, increasing your risk of waking up with a headache. Additional drugs and supplements that could potentially bring on a headache are:
- Contraceptives that use hormones and hormone replacement therapy for the menopause or andropause
- Prescription drugs for erectile dysfunction
- Medication for high blood pressure and heart disease
- Caffeine
Reduced consumption of the above substances may be helpful in preventing or relieving morning headaches if you experience them. However, before making any adjustments, you should talk to your doctor.
7: Drinking Alcohol
The likelihood of waking up with a headache increases dramatically and your sleep quality decreases if you consume alcohol within a few hours of going to bed.
A few drinks before bed may help you nod off, but keep in mind that alcohol can disrupt your REM sleep and leave you waking up frequently. Poor sleep quality is a major contributor to waking up with a headache.
Mild dehydration is another possible side effect of drinking alcohol because it may increase urination frequency. As a headache is a common symptom of dehydration, this can be another cause of morning head pain, along with insufficient rest, as you wake up.
8. Headache associated with migraines
If you frequently wonder, "Why do I wake up with really bad headaches?" If you have frequent headaches, chronic migraines may be to blame. "The U.S. S Migraines typically occur first thing in the morning, according to the National Library of Medicine. Those who have them often wake up with a bang when their head hits the floor.
Disturbances in the Circadian Rhythm 9
The term "circadian rhythm" is used to describe your body's natural 24-hour clock. When your internal body clock isn't set correctly, you may experience headaches in the morning.
A circadian rhythm disorder may be to blame for the following symptoms experienced during sleep:
- It's morning and you can't go back to sleep.
- To put it plainly, you have a lot of trouble nodding off.
- You toss and turn all night long, unable to fall asleep.
There are a variety of causes for circadian rhythm disorders, including shift work, jet lag, irregular sleep and wake schedules, getting older, and brain damage. Seeing a doctor can help you get a proper diagnosis, find out what's causing it, and start making progress toward reestablishing your body's normal rhythm.
10-Anxiety and Depression
Consistently bad headaches first thing in the morning are often brought on by emotional issues. Studies show that the risk of waking up with a headache is highest for people who struggle with both depression and anxiety. However, morning headaches can be caused by any mental health issue that prevents you from getting a good night's rest.
It's important to see a doctor if you're having trouble sleeping or other symptoms of mental illness. Medication, talk therapy, or a combination of the two is often effective in treating these disorders. Your morning headaches may lessen if you take care of your mental health with the assistance of a professional.
Getting Rid of That Morning Headache
What do you do if you wake up with a headache? Some easy ways to alleviate that morning head pain are:
- Maintaining an adequate water intake is essential for good health.
- Using OTC pain relievers sparingly is recommended.
- Caffeine consumption has been shown to improve the efficacy of over-the-counter pain medications.
- Staying away from screens and bright lights may help your headache.
- A warm compress applied to the back of the neck or the crown of the head
- By applying a cold compress to your head.
- Relaxing pressure and stress by gently massaging your temples, forehead, and neck
It is possible to reduce the frequency and severity of morning headaches by making some adjustments to your daily routine and sleeping schedule. If you wake up with constant head pain, try the following to see if it helps:
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December 8, 2022, at 11 a.m. Pictures of John Lennon and his killer, Mark David Chapman, from right before his murder in 1980. Getty Images/innie Zuffante/Michael Ochs Archives/Bureau of Prisons In New York City on December 8th, 1980, one of the worst tragedies in rock music history occurred.
At 11 a.m. on December 8, 2022 John Lennon and his killer, Mark David Chapman, in the months before his murder in 1980. Photo by innie Zuffante/Bureau of Prisons/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images New York City experienced one of the worst days in rock 'n' roll history on December 8th, 1980.
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