Headaches when sleeping can be the start of a long and stressful trip, as proper sleep quality is essential for staying healthy and performing well during the day. The causes can range from consuming too much alcohol close to bedtime to being extremely anxious. The first approach is to identify the headache triggers and then avoid them. If you still get them after avoiding the stressors, see your doctor for a thorough examination.
The link between sleep and headaches, according to Thomas Pitts, MD, a board-certified neurologist with Hudson Medical and Wellness in New York City, cannot be stressed. Dr. Pitts stated that headaches usually suggest a problem with one of the “basic pillars of health,” such as sleep, food, exercise, nutrition, or mood.
After too much sleep, you may wake up with a headache. This is because, like too little sleep, too much rest is harmful to your health.
The number of serotonin within the body is significantly lessened if a person sleeps for more than 9 hours. It is considered to be the happy hormone.
Serotonin deficiency causes the impaired blood circulation in the brain and a decline in blood sugar levels, resulting in fatigue, drowsiness, and headaches.
This type of soreness is particularly common in people who like to sleep in on weekends. In this scenario, a tablet will undoubtedly be beneficial. However, having an alarm clock is an easier and safer approach to avoiding this type of headache. And, no matter how severe and crazy it may seem, let it go off and even on your day off.
Lindsay Elton a neurologist who specializes in pediatrics stated that oversleeping is a primary migraine trigger. Elton told POPSUGAR, “If I sleep in a lot — I kind of know what my threshold is — it’s a definite headache the whole day.” These headaches can be caused by a wide variety of factors, although they frequently include neurotransmitters like serotonin.
Lindsay went further and stated that serotonin helps our bodies know when to wake up and when to sleep, but it also plays a part in mood disorders such as anxiety and sadness, which can impact your sleep habits and cause you to oversleep. Oversleeping, however, can affect serotonin levels and several other neurotransmitters in the brain. Morning headaches are known to develop for a variety of reasons.
Also Read: 16 Powerful Natural Home Remedies For Headaches
Sleeping in, as per Dr. Pitts, can deny your body food and water for longer periods of time, which can lead to headaches. If you chew your teeth, have severe pain (which makes it very difficult to sleep properly), or share your bed with a spouse who snores or moves a lot while sleeping, you may experience sleep-related headaches. Oversleeping, on the other hand, is a huge one, according to Dr. Pitts, because it can mess with your serotonin levels and upset your circadian cycle.
This doesn’t always mean that a lazy Sunday will result in a migraine right away — but, as Dr. Pitts stated, having too much sleep on a regular basis will ultimately catch up with you. “Because sleep causes headaches through a multitude of processes,” Dr. Pitts told POPSUGAR, “it truly relies on the particular patient and their exact situation.” “It can take years, but it can also take days.”
How to Relieve Headache While Sleeping
1. Hypnic Headache
Your doctor has prescribed lithium carbonate as a treatment. This drug is administered at bedtime in doses of 300 mg. Be aware of all possible adverse effects and particular precautions when using this medication. Other medications that may be prescribed include:
- A calcium channel blocker
- Caffeine
- Topiramate
- Anti-inflammatories, like indomethacin
- Melatonin that controls your sleep cycles
2. Sinus Headache
Consult your doctor to determine whether your sinus issues are caused by allergies or an infection. The headaches should go away after the sinus issues are resolved. If bad sleeping posture is the source of your headaches, consider experimenting with different pillows and sleeping in a healthy position.
3. Headaches from Stress
During the day, manage your tension. Regularly exercise and engage in hobbies such as yoga or meditation. Make some time to unwind.