What to know about headaches at night

The sections below contain information about different types of headache that are likely to occur at night.

Hypnic headache

A person with a hypnic headache may experience a throbbing pain.

Hypnic headaches are rare. According to the Migraine Trust, they occur most often in people over the age of 50, although they can also affect younger people. Hypnic headaches are more common in females than males.

Hypnic headaches only occur during sleep. If a person experiences nighttime headaches more than 10 times per month, they may have hypnic headaches. In some cases, hypnic headaches can occur if people sleep during the day.

Some people call hypnic headaches "the alarm clock headache," because they cause people to wake up — often at the same time each night. In fact, people may find that a hypnic headache wakes them up between 1 a.m. and 3 a.m.

Symptoms of hypnic headache may include:

• throbbing pain
• pain on one or both sides of the head
• pain that lasts anywhere between 15 minutes and 4 hours but usually lasts for around 30–60 minutes
• increased sensitivity to light and sound
• watery eyes or a blocked nose
• nausea

Some people may have more than one hypnic headache per night.

Cluster headache

People who experience multiple headaches may have a cluster headache. These headache episodes, or clusters, can happen between one and eight times per day and last between 15 minutes and 3 hours. Cluster headaches are also one of the most painful types of headache.

Cluster headaches commonly occur at night and can cause people to wake up 1–2 hours after falling asleep.

Researchers are not sure what causes cluster headaches, but genetics may play a part. They usually occur in people who are over the age of 20. Males and people who smoke heavily are also more likely to experience cluster headaches.

Certain factors may also trigger cluster headaches, including:

• alcohol intake
• strong smells, such as paint fumes or solvents
• exercise
• overheating

Symptoms of cluster headaches can include:

• severe stabbing pain on one side of the head, which can include the eye and temple area
• red, watery eyes
• runny nose
• sweating on the side of the head where the headache is
• restlessness and agitation
• a headache that stops abruptly

Tension headache

Tension headaches can occur due to stress, tight muscles, or fatigue. People may experience tension headaches at night due to tension building up throughout the day.

Symptoms of a tension headache include:

• a dull ache or squeezing sensation on both sides of the head
• pain that feels like a tight band or vice around the head
• aching muscles in the neck, shoulders, or back
• tightness in the jaw
• pain that lasts between 20 minutes and 2 hours