While it's a good idea to check with your doctor for advice on treating morning headaches, be assured that several treatable factors may be causing the painful malady. If your child experiences severe morning headaches, or if your own morning headaches are accompanied by blurry vision and vomiting, call your doctor immediately.
Sinus Inflammation and Pressure
It's not unusual to suffer most in the morning when dealing with sinus pain, according to MedlinePlus. In sinus headaches, the inflammation is often made worse when you've been lying down for a period of time or when you bend forward, increasing the pressure in your sinus cavities. If your morning headache is accompanied by postnasal drip, a runny nose or a sore throat, inflamed sinus passages are likely to blame. Discussing allergens with your doctor may help determine whether you need prescription or over-the-counter medication.
Hangover
If over-indulging in alcohol the night before is the cause of your "morning after" headache, chances are the cause won't remain a mystery for very long. The biology behind hangovers is simple: alcohol makes blood vessels expand, which may trigger a headache. Symptoms accompanying hangover headaches may include nausea and vomiting, shakiness, thirst and a rapid heartbeat. If the headache worsens and comes with prolonged confusion, continuous vomiting or seizures, you may have alcohol poisoning and need immediate medical attention. Obvious hangover headache prevention methods include cutting back on how much you drink, eating before indulging in alcohol and having a glass of water between drinks. Rest, time and a mild over-the-counter painkiller are the best cures for a morning hangover headache. According to MayoClinic.com, some natural remedies are B vitamins, dried yeast capsules, borage and prickly pear cactus extract.
Irregular Sleeping Patterns
Chronic morning headaches seem endemic to people who have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep. Several factors can interfere with adequate sleep, including sleep apnea, sleeping near someone with sleep apnea or heavy snoring, grinding your teeth, depression and anxiety. Consult your practitioner about any known or suspected obstacles to a good night's sleep. In addition, frequently sleeping too little or too much or keeping an irregular schedule is one of the classic triggers of morning migraines.
Rebound Headaches
Overuse of pain medication to treat headaches may result in rebound headaches, which often wake you up in the morning, cause nausea and become increasingly frequent. Halting or slowing your dependence on the painkillers is the only real way to rid yourself of rebound headaches, notes MayoClinic.com.
Pregnancy
A morning headache may be your body's way of signaling a pregnancy. Along with the classic nausea and vomiting, some women experience headaches caused by hormone changes. The hormones can trigger an increase of circulation in your bloodstream that leads to a headache. Pregnancy headaches can strike at any time of day, but you may find they accompany the other classic symptoms of morning sickness.
