What Are Hypnic Headaches?

Causes of Hypnic Headaches

Currently, experts continue to research possible causes of hypnic headaches. At the moment, doctors agree these headaches should be classified as a primary headache disorder, meaning they are benign and not caused by underlying medical conditions such as brain tumors. Studies suggest there may be a link between hypnic headaches and certain stages of sleep, particularly rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. Additional research suggests patients with this condition could have functional issues in the regions of the brain responsible for pain control and melatonin production. For some patients, headaches may be triggered or exacerbated by environmental factors. Insufficient or excessive sleep, exposure to bright light, and stress are recognized triggers. In addition, hormonal changes, dehydration, and the use of certain medications might cause or worsen headaches too. To help the patient determine if any triggers may be exacerbating their hypnic headaches, a neurologist will take a thorough health history, asking about sleep patterns, stress levels, diet, and medication use.

Get the details on hypnic headaches are diagnosed now.