I keep getting headaches every morning. What could be causing this?
For the past 3 weeks I wake up with a headache almost every single morning. It's not severe — more like a dull pressure behind my eyes. It usually goes away after I've been up for an hour. I drink plenty of water, I sleep 7-8 hours, and I don't drink alcohol. I'm 28 and otherwise healthy. What's going on?
1 Answer(s)
Morning headaches are super common and usually point to one of a few specific causes. Let's go through them:
1. Sleep apnea (most likely). Even if you sleep 7-8 hours, if you're not getting quality deep sleep, you'll wake up with headaches. Do you snore? Does anyone tell you that you stop breathing in your sleep? A $100 home sleep test can confirm this. This is the #1 cause of morning headaches in otherwise healthy people under 40.
2. Dehydration. You lose a lot of water while sleeping. Try drinking 16oz of water right before bed AND keep a glass on your nightstand to drink immediately upon waking.
3. Teeth grinding (bruxism). If you clench your jaw at night, it causes tension headaches. Ask your dentist about a night guard.
4. Screen time before bed. Blue light disrupts sleep quality. Try no screens 1 hour before bed.
Start with the sleep apnea test and the water habit. If headaches persist after 2 weeks, see a neurologist to rule out anything serious.