Many people get headaches from being too tired. However, research exploring the link between sleep and headaches is growing. In fact, many people report that they have gotten headaches from oversleeping at one time or another.
Can you get a headache from sleeping too much? What are the causes of headache from oversleeping? In this article, we will be discussing how oversleeping can cause headaches.
How Much Sleep Do You Need?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that adults get 7 or more hours of sleep per night. However, they do not have a maximum sleep recommendation. The National Sleep Foundation, though, recommends that adults get 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night, with 9 being a general upper limit.
If you’re sleeping more than 9 hours per night and still not feeling rested, talk to your doctor: this could be a sign of a bigger problem.
You might still have the question “why do I get headaches when I sleep too much”? Here are some potential causes of headaches from oversleeping.
Why You Can Get a Headache From Sleeping Too Much
Serotonin Disruption
Serotonin, also known as 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), is a neurotransmitter that is widely distributed throughout the body. It is involved in many of the body’s natural processes. One of these processes is the regulation of sleep patterns. Serotonin is a chemical that is important for normal brain function, but systems that are out of balance can have negative effects, including headaches.
Serotonin is also involved in the regulation of mood. Problems with serotonin are implicated in mood disorders such as anxiety and depression, which can also affect sleeping patterns, which can then cause headaches. It’s a vicious cycle.
But why do the headaches actually happen? That’s a bit more complicated, but here are some other possible reasons.
Mild Dehydration & Hunger After Sleeping
Low blood sugar levels can cause headaches, and dehydration can cause headaches. If you’re sleeping too much, you haven’t had the chance to feed or hydrate your body, which can lead to waking up with a headache. This might be one of the more common reasons why sleeping in can cause a headache.
Bruxism, or grinding your teeth
One of the most common causes of headaches after oversleeping is bruxism, or teeth grinding. Most people don’t notice that they’re grinding their teeth in their sleep. However, this grinding can cause pain in the jaw and neck, which can lead to headaches.
Sleep Disorders
Have you ever slept for a long time but woke up feeling just as tired as before? You might have a sleep disorder such as sleep apnea.
Sleep apnea is a condition where you aren’t breathing properly during sleep, which reduces how much oxygen your brain can take in. This can interrupt your sleep, causing you to wake up multiple times during the night without you even noticing. Sleep apnea can also cause headaches upon waking. Other symptoms of sleep apnea include snoring, tiredness, and feeling drowsy even after waking up.
Talk to your doctor if you suspect that you have sleep apnea, and they will refer you to a sleep specialist.
Are you suffering from severe headaches? You may be having a migraine. Check out this article to learn how to tell the difference: Migraines vs. Headaches: How Do I Know Which I Am Having?
Midwest Pain Clinics in Omaha, NE: Headache Treatment in Omaha
If you’re suffering from headaches on a regular basis, you might benefit from getting headache treatment Omaha, NE pain specialists at Midwest Pain Clinics can help you get the help you need to live the life you deserve.
