Published on: 7/4/2025
Why does my headache seem to get worse at night and how can I manage it?
Headaches can get worse at night due to various reasons including poor sleep quality and/or what happens during your day. Understanding if your sleep habits or daytime routine affect your headaches can be a first step in managing your symptoms.
Explanation
Headaches that worsen at night can be caused by various reasons, including sleep-related factors and/or what happens during your day.
Some Possible Reasons Headaches Worsen At Night:
- Sleep Quality: If you don’t sleep well, it can make headaches feel worse.
- What Happens During Your Day: Examples of daytime factors that can worsen nighttime headaches for some people include work stress, head and neck posture (for example, while using a computer and/or phone), alcohol intake and tobacco use.
How to Manage:
- Improve Sleep Habits: Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day. Make your bedroom comfortable for sleeping. More information about healthy sleep habits is available at https://sleepeducation.org/healthy-sleep/healthy-sleep-habits/.
- Check To See If Daytime Factors Worsen NightTime Headaches: You can try to monitor if your headaches at night seem worse on any days that you might be feeling more stress, using your phone or computer more, drinking more alcohol, and/or smoking more cigarettes or e-cigarettes.
- Consult a Heathcare Professional: If your headaches are frequent, severe, persistent, worsening, and/or accompanied by other symptoms (such as weakness, blurry vision, or vomiting), you should consult a healthcare provider for a personalized medical assessment and treatment plan.
(References)
- Singh NN, & Sahota P. (2013). Sleep-related headache and its management. Current treatment options in neurology, 24132786.
- Gori S, Morelli N, Maestri M, Fabbrini M, Bonanni E, & Murri L. (2005). Sleep quality, chronotypes and preferential timing .... The journal of headache and pain, 16362680.
- Kikuchi H, Yoshiuchi K, Yamamoto Y, Komaki G, & Akabayashi A. (2011). Does sleep aggravate tension-type headache?. BioPsychoSocial medicine, 21835045.
Tell your friends about us.
We would love to help them too.
For First Time Users
What is Ubie’s Doctor’s Note?
We provide a database of explanations from real doctors on a range of medical topics. Get started by exploring our library of questions and topics you want to learn more about.
Learn more about symptoms
Was this page helpful?
Purpose and positioning of servicesUbie Doctor's Note is a service for informational purposes. The provision of information by physicians, medical professionals, etc. is not a medical treatment. If medical treatment is required, please consult your doctor or medical institution. We strive to provide reliable and accurate information, but we do not guarantee the completeness of the content. If you find any errors in the information, please contact us.