Waking up with headache

I do Tilly and put it down to tension. They can wake me up during the night and I'll often take paracetamol then so they've gone by the time morning arrives.

I haven't eliminated them all together but do find that having a window open for fresh air during the night has helped.

You've already tried different pillows which I would have suggested. If your mattress is OK too, I think you should check with the doctor.

I was going to say pillows to. My DH has this problem and we have about 50 pillows in our house!!!!

For a long time...years... I woke up with a headache which would usually clear by the time I had my shower. Sometimes not.
I do have an issue with my neck/shoulder and can only sleep on my right side, otherwise the pain starts.
I also have a hip issue and bought a memory foam knee pillow in Asda. JML I think. One evening I decided to try it as a neck pillow and have never looked back. No more waking up with a headache. It cost just under £20. This was after trying all sorts of neck pillows. My knee pillow travels everywhere with me. I'm pretty sure I've seen it advertised and a Google search would probably be fruitful.

Perhaps this morning's headache was the result of lying particularly awkwardly and does sound scary. I hope you are feeling better now.

Are you drinking enough fluids?

Maybe you’re grinding your teeth in the night or clenching your jaw? Like Smileless says tension.

See your doctor but maybe your dentist too.

It probably is a neck issue but the GP could check. Sometimes I waken with a headache. I lie on my back and turn my head to the left and right for a few seconds, and amazingly it works.

As you have bulging discs I would try a memory foam pillow and get an appointment with a physio.

Possibly get your blood pressure checked. I woke with headaches for years. A couple of cups of tea and sometimes they'd ease. Then I was put on pills for my blood pressure. Headaches disappeared. If I do start a headache, I take my pill and it goes.

Check with your gp

Headaches that start out of the blue and become a pattern could be a bigger sign of a health issue

Snoring can lead to a lack of oxygen during sleep which in turn leads to headaches on awaking.

I, too, was going to suggest it could be due to high blood pressure. We’re not medics, though, so the best thing would be to do as you plan, and see your GP.

You need to check your blood sugar when it happens.

Obviously see your doctor
I started waking up with headaches which went when I got up.
Was diagnosed with infected sinuses and given antibiotics which cleared them up.

Yes, definitely make an appointment with your GP Tilly8, as there could be a number of reasons, and hopefully nothing serious. In the meantime, if you wake up with a headache, lay in a totally relaxed and comfortable position and take some very deep breaths, in and out for a few minutes.

Thank you very much for all your advice 😊. My headache eased with paracetamol and eventually went completely after an afternoon nap. I plan to contact the surgery tomorrow - hopefully I’ll secure an appointment!! I will definitely look out a knee pillow Coolgran65.

It could be caused by snoring/sleep apnoea

A Dr told me to take 3 aspirins and a strong cup of coffee for getting rid of migraines/headaches. It works for me very quickly, and seems more effective than any other medicine as no after effects.

Have your blood pressure checked it could be what's causing the headaches along with being dehydrated.

Please contact your GP and go and see them. Also, keep a note of how bad the headache is in comparison to what you are eating or what the weather is doing. Hope you get to the root of your headache.

Fluids?

I keep a glass of water by the bed and gradually drink it during the night.

Redhead56

Have your blood pressure checked it could be what's causing the headaches along with being dehydrated.

I second that recommendation.

Blood pressure naturally increases during the waking hours and if it's too high, it most certainly can cause 'waking' headache.

It happened to me, for weeks - I put it down to neck tension - but it was high blood pressure. When I took the recommended medication, the morning headache just stopped completely.

I really hope you manage to get an appointment today - even a telephone appointment would be better than nothing! Good luck, let us know how you get on.

Dehydration.

Drink a glass of water before bedtime, annoying I know if you then have to pee in the night but hydration, hydration, hydration is the key.