Headache that awakens you from sleep

A headache that awakens you from sleep may be a cluster headache, a form of vascular headache. This may occur at the same time each night during a series of cluster headaches.

Depression or anxiety can cause you to awaken frequently during the night and early in the morning. You may also have frequent daytime headaches if you are depressed.

A structural problem in the brain or a brain tumor may cause a headache that awakens you from sleep. A structural problem may be related to a weakness in the wall of a blood vessel (aneurysm) or a pus-filled pocket caused by infection (abscess).

If you have headaches that awaken you from sleep, a visit to your health professional may be needed to determine the cause of your headaches.

Author:	Sydney Youngerman-Cole, RN, BSN, RNC	Last Updated: July 12, 2006
Medical Review:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine
© 1995-2008 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.