Waking up with headache

I often experience this over many years though so not new to me however , it relates to clenching my jaw and grinding my teeth at night . My dentist could tell from the wear on my teeth as well as the tender points it’s called TMJ , I also have weather triggers for this once I kept track of the mornings it happened !

Get your blood pressure checked as this was how my mother's high blood pressure was detected. She had very high blood pressure that needed alot of medication.

Hi I know from experience can be due to really low sugar levels. I got a blood sugar monitor not very expensive from Amazon

Are you getting dehydrated overnight? That often causes headaches so maybe drink water before retiring and if you wake in the night.

I’m pleased that you are going to try to see your GP because as you can see from all the responses, including my own, many possibilities as to why you’re having these headaches are being offered, but none of us can really know as we are not doctors. It needs investigating by a medical practitioner so that a correct diagnoses can be reached.

Glad to see so much about water. Most of us don’t drink enough. My vocal coach advocated it. Has answered many of my problems.

Also helps blood pressure

For a couple of years I was waking up with the same sort of headaches which would go after a few hours in the morning. Sometimes they were so bad it was hard to move.
I saw the GP and they could find nothing wrong.
I had a routine appointment at the optician, they were looking very concerned and called the senior person in.
They diagnosed me with narrow angle glaucoma. They asked if I had been getting headaches and I explained I had. Apparently this sort of glaucoma can cause a fluid buildup in your eyes overnight and the suggestion was until I can get laser surgery, to sleep with three pillows.
This type of glaucoma can be quite serious but I have found by using three pillows, and sometimes I go to 2 during the night, the headaches have completely stopped.
I have seen the optometrist at the hospital and I’m now waiting for an appointment to have laser surgery.
So definitely worth getting your eyes checked.

Lots of great ideas here, but the best course of action is to write down exactly what is happening and go and see your doctor and tell him /her.

Like others on this thread I suffered for years with overnight dehydration causing morning migraines that could go on all day or even days.

This is caused by not enough fluids or not drinking coffee or tea during the day after breakfast in my case. Perhaps it's the same with you. If it continues you should see your GP

See your GP and don't be fobbed off with a phone appointment. Get an early morning appointment; blood pressure is always highest in the morning and then fluctuates throughout the day. Very much agree about drinking water before bedtime and even in the night if you have to get up for the loo - your brain needs to be moisturised. Also if you can eat blood pressure reducing foods before bed (like garlic) that will help. Of course, you must see your GP and it may be very easily diagnosed and treated.

I often have these wake up headaches and having been to the GP/hospital a few times to eliminate any of the really "nasty" things.

I have a number of other things I keep an eye on and others have mentioned some of these.

1) B12, C, D and Magnesium - always worth a bit of research and some good information around Vitamins and Minerals for headaches.

2) Checking in with the Chiropractor/Osteopath as I have some back/alignment issues.

3) Snoring/sinus, like others have said affects my headaches.

Some good information and areas to investigate here, hope you find ways to eliminate or reduce the effects of your headaches OP.

Headaches that have gone on regularly for so long should not be ignored. None of the people here are doctors so go to your doctor and get a proper diagnosis. Contact your surgery tomorrow.

BlueBelle

I have had an almost constant low level head ache (feeling)for the last two/ three months I ve seen the GP all is well BP fine etc it almost definitely is tension and I m easing it now with a) not worrying about it b) using tiger balm on my temples and c) doing some relaxation techniques especially ‘tapping’ ( I have been three months of shitty stress so that makes sense for me
Good luck

Like you I had a constant low level headache that went on for over a year.
I’ve also had back problems and was seeing a chiropractor for this. After a few months the chiropractor concluded there was nothing wrong with my back now and the current pain in my back/leg (which was getting worse) was being caused by my brain and nervous system ………. (what !??)…… I asked for an MRI scan which showed some bulging discs, degeneration and arthritis of the spine and inflammation……. It’s good news said the chiro there’s nothing on there that you wouldn’t expect from a person who’s reached this stage in your life - great.
To cut a long story short after researching I found a book called The Way Out by Alan Gordon and using the mind/body techniques all my pains disappeared…. I was astounded myself. 😊
Obviously people should always get checked out with the GP in case there is a physical cause but if nothing shows up you might want to try a different approach - after all you’ve got nothing to lose.

Tilly8 This is the shape of knee pillow I was speaking of earlier. It's cheaper and a different brand but I think it is the shape that makes the difference for me. I had tried all sorts of pillows including expensive memory foam and they are now in the attic. As a bonus the shape of this pillow is excellent for when reading in bed. I'm a poor sleeper and (also wear a cpap sleep apnea mask). I read often for 2 - 3 hours.
www.amazon.co.uk/GIAD-Positioner-Posture-Saciatica-Pregnancy/dp/B09NMN9R44/ref=sr_1_6?crid=3NUNYMFK2E4QE&keywords=memory+foam+knee+pillow+jml&sprefix=memory+foam+knee+pillow+jml%2Caps%2C139&tag=gransnetforum-21&qid=1668352678&sr=8-6

Dehydration. Drink more fluids, and maybe have a bottle of water by your bed so you can take sips during the night.

For sure see your GP and also the optician, maybe dentist too if it's been a while, opticians can often pick up things. It may take time to get an appointment, I'd suggest you get a blood pressure meter yourself, and start doing readings as soon as you can, our docs don't lend out meters any more. Tiwce a day, and sit for 5 mins before you do it, and take at least 3 readings,maybe more if they fluctuate, not within half an hour of eating and drinking or exercise. You'll be able to take the readings along and it will give her some useful info.
I'd also do a bit of a diary, of what happened that day, and how you felt, food and drink you had etc, if it's not as bad some days or much worse others, this might be helpful. You need to rule out things that need medical help first, you can check simple things like bydration yourself. Think back to when it started, too.
Headaches are miserable and waking up with one is a rotten start to anyone's day. Hope you find some answers soon

Good advice about always having a glass of water by the bedside and drink whenever you wake up.

When is the last time you had your blood sugar checked? For me, those early morning headaches are always about blood sugar.

Same as GagaJo mine was blood pressure never get them in the morning now.

If it's an intense pain on one side of your head and around an eye, it's likely to be migraine. I believe it's possible to develop migraine at any age so not having had it previously doesn't mean you couldn't suffer from it now.

If it is migraine, there are brilliant medications for it nowadays and your doctor will be able to prescribe one for you.

I occasionally wake in the night with an horrendous pain at the back of my head. Has made me vomit in the past as so painful. I shake and on occasion my hands have gone like claws. Saw a doctor and a specialist but to no avail. Was told I could taken some sort of tablet every day but this has severe side effects and as this only happens maybe once or twice per year then I declined.

Hope you do contact your gp.
They should do some ‘ruling out’ tests and don’t be fobbed off if nothing is offered first visit.
But hope you are fine and an open window does the trick xxx

Have you had your eye pressure checked at the optician I wake up with a headache when mine are high , I have glaucoma . Might be worth checking

I have the same problem, in fact I woke up with one this morning. I tend to get them if I’ve been sewing, crafting etc, anything where I’ve been looking down for a prolonged length of time (could also be eye strain) I think mine are connected to confirmed disc bulges in my neck, the pain can get severe and makes me feel sick. I have a BP monitor and that is usually ok. Headaches are awful & can ruin your whole day. Hope you can get some answers.