Overview
- Migraines often strike between 4 and 9 a.m. as lower endorphins and a morning adrenaline surge can trigger attacks.
- Obstructive sleep apnea is singled out as a frequent, underdiagnosed cause linked to nocturnal oxygen drops, with headaches that often ease within about 30 minutes after waking.
- Regular painkiller use can backfire as medication-overuse headaches, so experts advise keeping analgesics to no more than roughly 10 days per month.
- Nighttime teeth grinding and poor sleep posture can provoke head and jaw pain, with dentists prescribing bite splints and better pillow or mattress fit recommended.
- High blood pressure and, rarely, raised intracranial pressure can present with morning pain, with warning signs such as vision changes, dizziness, coordination issues or behavior changes prompting urgent care.