Waking up in the morning with a headache can be an alarming start to your day, and it’s not a rare occurrence.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), headaches are one of the most common disorders worldwide, and approximately 50% of adults worldwide experience occasional headache attacks. Furthermore, morning headaches have become so common to the extent that most individuals disregard them. While some causes of morning headaches are apparent, a few might come as a surprise.

In this article, we’ll explore the ten surprising causes of morning headaches.

1. Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a severe sleep disorder that involves breathing difficulties during sleep. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common type of sleep apnea where the airways partially or wholly collapse, leading to breathing difficulties and loud snoring.

If left untreated, sleep apnea may result in several health complications. Morning headaches are an early symptom of sleep apnea since the lack of oxygen leads to brain oxygen deprivation, leading to morning headaches.

2. Alcohol Consumption

One primary cause of morning headaches is the consumption of alcohol, mostly in excess.

While alcohol is a known source of evening hangovers, not many people know that alcohol can also cause morning headaches, particularly after a heavy night of drinking. The alcohol in your bloodstream causes dehydration, which leads to headaches. Additionally, alcohol causes the blood vessels to become dilated, leading to headaches.

3. Bruxism

Bruxism is a dental condition where individuals grind or clench their teeth during their sleep. Bruxism can cause severe teeth damage and jaw pain.

Studies have found that bruxism results in morning headaches, particularly amongst those clench their jaw while sleeping. The constant tension on the jaw muscles and surrounding tissues contributes to morning headaches.

4. Low Blood Sugar

Low blood sugar, also called hypoglycemia, is a medical situation that arises when the sugar level in the blood becomes low. Hypoglycemia is prevalent amongst diabetes patients, and it can also occur amongst non-diabetics.

One of the early symptoms of hypoglycemia is a morning headache. A morning headache caused by low blood sugar subsides after eating or taking a high-carbohydrate meal.

5. Poor Sleep Environment

Sleep environment denotes the set up and condition of your sleeping area. One way to guarantee a sound and healthy sleep is by having the right sleeping environment.

If your sleeping place is too noisy, too bright, or too hot, you’re likely to have a lousy sleep. A lousy sleep results in morning headaches due to brain exhaustion.

6. Allergic Reactions

Allergic reactions are caused by hypersensitivity of the immune system that results in unpleasant symptoms. Allergy to dust, mold, and even fragrances can cause morning headaches.

Allergies can cause congestion and inflammation, leading to morning headaches and nasal pressure.

7. Hunger

You’d be surprised that hunger could cause morning headaches. If you’re used to skipping breakfast, you may experience a hypoglycemic headache, resulting in morning headaches.

If your body goes too long without food, it may result in a drop in your blood sugar levels, leading to morning headaches.

8. Eye Strain

Eye strain is a common problem, particularly amongst people who sit in front of a computer for prolonged hours. Staring at a screen for extended periods can lead to morning headaches.

This is caused due to the changes in the brain stem and nervous system, leading to reduced blood flow to the head.

9. Medication Side Effects

Medications designed to treat other medical conditions may have side effects that lead to morning headaches. The use of medication for high blood pressure, depression, and anxiety amongst others can result in morning headaches due to the side effects.

If you experience morning headaches after taking medication, you should speak to your doctor for alternatives.

10. Caffeine Withdrawal

Consuming caffeine in moderation is known to have health benefits, but too much caffeine can result in caffeine addiction. Caffeine withdrawal from tea, coffee, energy drinks, and even chocolate can cause morning headaches.

A drop in caffeine levels can result in brain exhaustion and blood vessel constriction, leading to headaches.

Conclusion

Morning headaches can interrupt your day and generally affect your productivity. You shouldn’t ignore morning headaches since they may indicate a severe underlying medical condition.

Additionally, you might want to adjust your lifestyle habits and sleeping environment to avoid morning headaches. If morning headaches persist or become frequent, it’s advisable to speak to a doctor.