Can stress really cause all this?

[Flippers1956]

Posted on MN a few times regarding this

Husband started having headaches last week

They started after a stressful encounter with family (long ongoing issues)

Headaches didn't really get better, went docs Monday, doc said tension headaches, possibly from stress. Gave him co codamol which didn't help

He's been having disturbed sleep, which obviously then makes him more tired.

He also grinds his teeth at night

He has been having high BP

Has a bad day Tuesday, Wednesday night he sleep very well

Went to docs again yesterday (was already booked in) they sent him to hospital for urgent scan Because of headache and hi BP. This obviously made stress worse

Berore this scenario, his headaches were actuallt a lot better

Got there, we're there for hours docs did a load of physical teats on him, said no need for scan as they were satisfied with everything and didn't have any 'red flag symptoms ' Bloods all OK. We explained all the family situation, and also we are in middle of moving house. 2 docs we spoke to think all to do with stress /tension

Been told to keep an eye on BP- they are ringing him back today to decide if he needs BP meds

Last night he had a bad sleep, woke up with headache, (I heard him griding his teeth before this) he was then tossing and turning for hours with a sore head, and then overturning

Can this all really be caused be stress ?

His head is sore this morning, but not AS bad as it has been. He's gone to work as he said his headaches are better when he's keeping busy

Could the stress of being at hospital for hours on end have caused last night's headaches? Plus the tiredness/ lack of sleep

In my experience, stress can be utterly awful for your body.

Hopefully you'll move soon and it'll all disappear.

Absolutely - the headaches could be caused by the teeth grinding which, in itself, is often caused by stress.

@mynameiscalypso @rayofsunshine86

Thank you for your replies , I feel like it's a vicious cycle for him 😥

I also went to GP for terrible headaches which they said would be stress or hormonal. It was my dentist who pointed out I was grinding my teeth and suggested a mouth guard. Since the mouth guard I have not had a headache since.

He needs to see his dentist for a mouth guard.

It definitely can - stress (/anxiety) is a top cause of tooth grinding. Tooth grinding often causes headaches and poor sleep. Consistent poor sleep can elevate BP.

I hope the stress dissipates soon, but in the meantime, you can get mouth guards for bruxism (tooth grinding), which might help. Maybe if he can mitigate that, it might calm down the headaches and get better sleep.

Yes it could all be stress. Especially with the grinding teeth this indicates to me it is. And this can cause headaches. It does sound like he's having a stressful time.

However, I do also believe doctors diagnose stress when they don't know the answer. I once suffered with constant nausea, not being able to eat properly, exhaustion etc. It went on for months. I was only mid twenties and had no stress in my life. I was told it was stress and prescribed antidepressants and signed off work. One day I had a vomiting attack out of nowhere and instantly felt better, I could eat again so got my energy back. I'm now convinced it was some kind of parasite (gross I know). I did end up very stressed, but it was from being really ill and from doctors telling me I wasn't and that it was just stress!!

Hopefully it resolves soon for him.

Teeth grinding is a known cause . You can get mouth guards for this I think which may help. . Try some breathing techniques (4-7-8 breathing- breathe in for 4, hold for 7, out through mouth for 8) Do this regularly to help with stress .

Thank you for all your replies

He actually has a dentist appointment booked tomorrow, so this is something he can also discuss with them with regards to teeth grinding!

https://www.koalasleepcenters.com/bruxism-headache#:~:text=avoid%20additional%20harm.-,What%20kind%20of%20headache%20does%20bruxism%20cause%3F,both%20sides%20of%20the%20head.
Also get an eye test. They check the pressure behind the eyes.

I used to suffer very badly from tooth grinding and I just bought a mouth guard online (the boil and bite ones) and it cured the cycle for me. Also quit my stressful workplace which helped.

The headaches could be a displaced toothache from all the clenching and grinding.

He really must get it addressed because you can permanently damage your teeth very badly doing this

Will he go and see a chiropractor? You will be amazed at the results. And for you if you've never been x

I get migraines when I'm overly tired. So being tired may be contributing too.

I got Botox for my headaches due to clenching. Expensive but worked.

I have TMJ.

I get migraines often, especially when stressed!

After I'd had my hip replacement operation I frequently got symptoms that made me feel certain my circulation was badly affected and I felt I was going to die. I saw my GP and I also was so frightened I went to A and E for tests a couple of times - one occasion involved spending Christmas eve/ morning there. I was told every time it was stress causing my symptoms. I just couldn't believe it because the symptoms were so real and frightening.
So yes , given my own experience, the things you describe could certainly be stress related. But being told they are doesn't make them any less worrying and upsetting when your DH is suffering from them.
I hope things improve and sending my sympathy.

100% the body is an emotional filter. I often grind my teeth and have headaches stress can cause all sorts of physically symptoms. Diseases are sometimes not random but causes of extreme stress to the body. Look into meditating, and holistic methods for his him. It will help.

Thank you all for your helpful replies

Unfortunately it's such a vicious cycle 😥 griding teeth = headsche= not getting back to sleep properly = being tired in morning resulting in another headache, and then being MORE stressed about being tired and having a headache

Hopefully a guard will break the cycle.

Honestly in the immediate short term, your dh should just get a cheapo mouth guard on next day delivery, they're like a tenner. It was transformative for me. It won't do any harm and might do a lot of good

Of course keep seeking professional advice but don't be paralysed while waiting

TMJ can be due to atlas misalignment...that will cause headaches

One thing that's not been mentioned yet is that pain raises blood pressure so it really can be a vicious circle. He should ask for something other than cocodamol for the headaches though - it's not effective for migraine. He might find aspirin works better.

@NigelHarmansNewWife thank you for your reply. He had a really good night, but has a headache this morning, and his BP is really high

will be ringing docs Monday , he's been told to keep a record of his BP to see if he needs meds for it, and also going to ask for stronger painkillers

He had an eye test this morning which was all good

I'm still so worried 😟

Also like to add, his headaches Seem worse when his BP is higher

How high is the blood pressure? There are readings that indicate an urgent trip to A&E. If so phone 111.