Headache every night: what to know

Nightly pain may reflect a migraine pattern, tension accumulated during the day, irregular sleep or jaw clenching. Nasal blockage can make lying down uncomfortable, and symptoms of Allergic Rhinitis or Chronic Sinusitis may be relevant. Too little fluid, heat exposure, alcohol or a caffeine change can contribute. Regular use of some acute headache medicines can itself make headaches more frequent, so discuss the pattern rather than increasing doses on your own. A clinician needs the full history to identify the cause.

Keep bedtime and wake time consistent, drink enough during the day, and avoid going to bed hungry. Reduce bright screens before sleep, support your neck comfortably and notice whether jaw tension is present. Record when the pain begins, whether it wakes you, its location and quality, associated nausea or visual symptoms, sleep, nasal symptoms and every medicine taken. A pharmacist or doctor can help you make a safe treatment plan and prevent frequent self-medication.

Get urgent help for a sudden severe headache, new weakness or numbness, confusion, trouble speaking, fainting, vision loss, repeated vomiting, a stiff neck with fever or headache after an injury. Seek prompt clinical advice if pain repeatedly wakes you, progressively worsens, begins after a new medicine, or occurs with fever, weight change or neurological symptoms. Marked thirst, dizziness, weakness or heat exposure may indicate Dehydration or Heat Exhaustion; fever and respiratory symptoms may occur with COVID-19.

What causes should be considered for pain that appears every night? Could sleep, breathing, jaw tension, migraine or medicines be involved? Do I need an examination or tests, and what should I do if the pain wakes me?