Consider Hypnic Headache

Hypnic Headache

Hypnic headache (HH) involves attacks of a dull headache that always awaken sufferers from sleep. Unlike cluster headache (CH) there are normally no associated autonomic symptoms. Although the pain is normally classified as mild to moderate, severe pain can exist amongst up to 20% of sufferers and the headache is bilateral (both sides) in up to two thirds of cases.

Hypnic headache also differs from CH in that it is more likely to occur amongst older people and females. The headaches are brief – lasting between 5 minutes and 3 hours – and can occur up to three times per night.

If this brief description does not match your headache type, consider Cluster Headache.

Treatment

Trigeminal neuralgia can normally be successfully treated with medications called anticonvulsants. The preferred choice for prevention is a drug Hypnic headache (HH) can generally be effectively treated by bedtime dosages of lithium, indomethacin or caffeine.