Headache every day on waking - any ideas?

[PunishmentRoundupWithJoon]

I'm waking up every day with a headache. This has been happening for ages, but I've no idea what it could be. Have changed my pillow. I don't drink alcohol, not dehydrated. I don't sleep well, suffer from insomnia, but that doesn't seem to equate to a headache every day. Not a tooth grinder.

Just wondered if anyone else has had this and if so, what was the cause of the headaches in your case (if you know)?

He tells me that it's possible the leak has been going on for a very long time. This is going to sound so ridiculous, but yes, there was a vague smell of gas when I opened the gas meter cupboard. And any whiff in the hallway I would put down to other sources, not least my neighbour who smokes weed and god knows what. In fact, I often wondered if his habit seeps into my flat in the night and affects me!

@Childhoodnostalgia - interesting, thank you. Will look into that.

I really don’t want to alarm you but my husband used to have that and it was a brain tumour. Headaches on waking that ease as the day goes on can be a sign of high intercranial pressure. He had been going to the GP, changed his pillow and was about to get a 24hr blood pressure monitor when he had a seizure at work and they found the tumour when investigating that. It’s unlikely, as it’s rare (it didn’t even occur to our GP at the time) but I would go to the GP and be checked.

as an aside I have sleep apnea and never had morning headaches with it.

@cadnil. Thank you. I had a headache two days ago that actually didn't abate as the day went on, and it definitely felt like 'intercranial pressure'! Every time I made an effort (at the gym) felt like my head was going to explode! Really sorry to hear about your husband - I do hope he's ok now?

@WatchOutLurkerAbout - It's a generalised headache. Not able to pinpoint a particular area. It's not a violent headache, just unpleasant. And because it generally disspates when I'm up, I don't usually need painkillers.

Do you vape? This gives me headaches

Ps @PunishmentRoundupWithJoon even a small amount if gas leaking over a period of time would cause headaches.

Is your pillow the wrong height or your mattress too firm if you are a side sleeper? Sleeping with your neck at the wrong angle could create tension headaches.

Soo with the teeth grinding - did you put the chips down to weak enamel yourself, or did your dentist actually tell you that/ agree with you? I mean, it sounds like your dentist thinks you grind your teeth and they probably know what they're talking about?

You would not necessarily notice yourself grinding your teeth and neither would others.

I do it (only in my sleep), and since having a mouth guard my morning headaches have stopped. Try using it for a week and see if it works. I know it feels big, but you'll get used to it if you persist with it.

@Continueasweareormakeachange - no, no vaping or smoking.

@WoofWoofBeachLife - yes, I wondered about that. The guy from Cadent said that it wouldn't though. I guess the test will be if the headaches continue now the leak is fixed.

Am actually wondering if I should get a check up of some kind as this leak has been going on for ages. Because I could only smell it in the gas meter cupboard, and because none of the gas safety checks picked up on it, I presumed all was fine. It's only because for the last week or so I've been able to smell it in the hallway near the cupboard that I thought it best to get it checked.

I don’t grind my teeth but am constantly clenching. I wear a mouthguard but still clench in the night and wake up with a headache. I’ve been told by my dentist to pop it in through the day when I notice myself doing it but by the time I realise my head already feels like it’s about to explode.

Going to say teeth grinding as well OP. I have had acupuncture which helped a lot! My only symptom was headaches - no problems with my teeth etc!

I clench my jaw don't don't actually grind my teeth. I also got a mouth guard and I kept taking it out in my sleep, so I got jaw Botox and it made a world of difference.

I'd get an eye test- if you go to the GP they'll ask for one. If there are any signs of pressure behind the eye they'll refer you onwards.

As a retired dentist you do not need to be grinding just clenching is enough to give a headache. Check when you are watching TV or something are your teeth actually touching? when we are at rest our teeth don't normally touch when your mouth is closed. You should be aware of having to make a tiny movement to get tooth to tooth contact.

Ask to be assessed. You'll have to wear a monitor overnight and you may be very surprised at the result. I thought I didn't snore (DH said I didn't) and I woke up 5 or 6 times a night. Turned out I snored like a pneumatic drill and woke up every 2 minutes. No wonder I had a bloody headache every morning.

@Cottagecheeseisnotcheese - yes, I do have to consciously put my teeth together, they don't touch when mouth is closed. Definitely don't clench them in day to day life.

@snufkinhat - I thought that it might be weak enamel (or something) but didn't really imagine I'd be a tooth grinder. It's only two teeth and it's relatively recently that it's happened. He said that grinding was a possibility but he's the only dentist that has ever mentioned it and I go twice a year.

Unfortunately, if I am to wear a mouth guard, it will have to be a smaller one! Couldn't believe how huge it is. He did say, if I don't get on with it it's possible to make a smaller one.

Get your blood pressure checked. If it's high that gives you a headache.

I get this, it's positional for me changing pillows doesn't help but acupuncture and physio help. I can end up with migraine

Another vote for sleep apnoea. It's the build up of carbon dioxide that gives you the headache, which then improves as you breathe normally during the day.

I often have this. I'm peri menopause and have wicked sweats some nights and have wondered if it's a bit of dehydration from that?

Have one this am actually - just above my right eye. It will either disappear in the next few hours or verge in a migraine by this afternoon

Hey OP just read your update ... separate to your headaches which obviously I hope you get to the bottom of; I'm so glad you got the gas man out bloody hell that's worrying. Thank goodness that's now sorted x

Hi Op, I've been struggling with headaches too. I saw my GP who said they were tension headaches. I've had a few sessions with a chiropractor who made some adjustments to my neck. Headaches have more or less disappeared.

Anaemia

Other posters have already suggested good places to start investigating. It could also be a cervicogenic headache starting from your neck. It could be caused by a pinched nerve or herniated disc. Or, your pillow isn't right for you and is causing tension in your neck muscles, which can manifest as a headache.