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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Headaches After Waking Up At Night?

I get intense headaches after waking during the night to go to the bathroom. I wake up (not because of pain) to go to bathroom and while going, my head starts to pound. I get back to bed and try to find a position that eases the pain so I can go back to sleep. Some nights it takes up to 2 hours. I am a 74 year old white female. I take blood pressure medicine ( Lisinopril), cholestroal medicine, a Sotalol for A Fib, a full aspirin also for the A fib. I have had 3 stents put in 2 years ago. I am wondering about the intense headaches. I don t get them any other time. What is going on here? I called my cardiologist today and they are checking my magneseum level ( I take HCTZ in the morning). I started having these headaches about 1 month ago and was not taking any new medicines.
posted on Mon, 7 Jul 2014
Twitter Fri, 12 Jun 2015 Answered on
Twitter Fri, 12 Jun 2015 Last reviewed on
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  User's Response
Hello!

I read your question carefully and understand your concern.

Your symptoms may be related to a low blood pressure or orthostatic hypotension, causing a low blood flow to the brain caused by the change of position. During the night this may be more evident due to a predominace of the vagal nerve during sleep.

I recommend you to closely measure your blood pressure during these episodes, and perform a routine blood test for anemia, liver and renal function tests and thyroid hormone levels. An ambulatory 24hours blood pressure monitoring and a head up tilt test may be necessary to establish the diagnosis.

Hope to have been helpful!

Greetings! Dr. Aida
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What Causes Headaches After Waking Up At Night?

Hello! I read your question carefully and understand your concern. Your symptoms may be related to a low blood pressure or orthostatic hypotension, causing a low blood flow to the brain caused by the change of position. During the night this may be more evident due to a predominace of the vagal nerve during sleep. I recommend you to closely measure your blood pressure during these episodes, and perform a routine blood test for anemia, liver and renal function tests and thyroid hormone levels. An ambulatory 24hours blood pressure monitoring and a head up tilt test may be necessary to establish the diagnosis. Hope to have been helpful! Greetings! Dr. Aida