Headaches At Night: Causes Of Frequent Headache During The Night

Posted on December 14, 2010 by Salina in Health FAQ 5

A headache may start just when you are about to fall asleep or it may awaken you from sleep. Consequently, sleep gets affected aggravating the condition. Recurring headaches at night could result in insomnia and disturbed sleep patterns.

  • If you wake up every morning with a headache, it could be due to sinusitis.
  • More often than not, headaches at night are triggered by cheese, chocolate, MSG, smoking, and alcohol.
  • An allergy to a particular allergen (pollen, dander, soy, wheat, etc.) may also set off a headache. See also MSG allergy symptoms
  • Certain life-threatening conditions, like tumor, apnea, bleeding around the brain, or low blood glucose may be the cause.

Causes Of Headaches At Night

  • The most common cause is tension / stress triggered by excessive work at the computer, low blood sugar, or an exhausting day.
  • Hypnic headaches or ‘Alarm Clock Headaches’ awaken the individual at the same time every night. The cause is unidentified. It may be accompanied by nausea, and hypersensitivity.
  • Migraines cause throbbing and pulsating pains on one side of the head. Cluster headaches are a sub type of migraine that affects one side behind the eye.
  • Stress: Constant and continual stressful conditions, emotional upheavals, physical exertion, family demands, peer pressures, taxing jobs, and hectic schedules, all take their toll.  Such situations precipitate a headache.
  • Late nights: Working or partying late in to the night can have damaging consequences. The sleep cycle gets disrupted, it makes you irritable and cross, and can leave you with a throbbing head.
  • Noise pollution: Constant and excessive noise is a prime cause for headache.
  • Environment: Environmental pollution, fumes, gasses, smoke, heat, dust, all are capable of setting off a headache.
  • Food habits: Irregular eating patterns, missing meals, delayed meals, irregular meal timings, dietetic errors, all prompt a headache. Furthermore, certain food additives and preservatives are also known to cause headaches.

Treatment For Tension Headaches

  • It is very important to visit your health care professional immediately. Never neglect. If the headaches have been continuing for more than a week, make sure that you consult your physician at once. Making an early diagnosis is vital. Depending on the diagnosis and the cause, the doctor will start the appropriate line of treatment.
  • The World Health Organization (WHO) states that, in the urban areas, 15 to 18 % headache suffers are women, 8 to 10 % are men, and 4 to 6 % are children. Experts say, stress, emotional disturbances, overcrowding, travel stress, and the rat race are all significant contributing factors.
  • The primary form of treatment of tension headaches is through stress management. Organize your schedule, effective time management skills, and regular meditation are the only solutions.
  • Learning to relax the muscles through technique of progressive relaxation methods affords great relief and also helps prevent an attack.
  • Regular massage of the head, scalp, neck, face, and shoulders is highly beneficial. Clove oil, added to carrier oil (coconut oil, almond oil, or olive oil), eases tension and constrictions in the muscles, reduces stiffness, enhances blood supply and alleviates pains.
  • Sanguinaria:
    • Sanguinaria, is recommended for right sided periodically occurring headaches. Pains are sharp, and throbbing.
    • Pain starts in the back of the head and spreads forwards settling over the eyes.
    • There is also associated facial neuralgia.
    • The temporal veins (veins near the temple) are distended and throbbing.
    • Gastric and respiratory derangements are common.
    • Low potencies of the drug are therapeutic.

Diet for Headache

  • Dietary modifications are necessary in those cases which show periodic recurrent episodes of headaches. Changing the food habits, regularizing meal timings, and avoiding triggering foods, help prevent and minimize the occurrence of headaches.
  • Never stay hungry for too long periods. Hunger sets off an episode of neuralgia.
  • Small snacks every 3 hours are recommended.
  • Low hemoglobin count (anemia) also causes headaches. Improve your intake of iron rich foods such as – tomatoes, raisins, figs, green leafy vegetables, and dates.
  • Avoid refined foods – sugar, refined flour, processed and ready to eat food packets. Preservatives and additives stimulate headaches.
  • Avoid the following foods. They could trigger headaches in sensitive individuals. Cheese, chocolate, and wine.

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