FAQ: Back of head pain when lying down?

What kind of headache gets worse when you lay down?

Low-Pressure Headaches (SIH)

A low-pressure headache often gets worse when you stand or sit. It can get better if you lie down. It can start at the back of the head, sometimes with neck pain, though it can be felt all over your head. It often gets worse with coughing, sneezing, and exertion.

What causes headaches at the back base of the skull?

At the base of the skull, there is a group of muscles called the suboccipital muscles. They can cause headache pain for many people. These four pairs of muscles are responsible for subtle movements between the skull and first and second vertebrae in the neck.

Why does my head hurt when I lay on my pillow?

Headaches

When these muscles tense up from poor alignment, they refer pain into the head, resulting in tension headaches. Pillows that are too high can cause the head and neck to round forward adding tension to the suboccipital neck muscles.

Why does my head feel pressure when I lay down?

Most conditions that result in head pressure aren’t cause for alarm. Common ones include tension headaches, conditions that affect the sinuses, and ear infections. Abnormal or severe head pressure is sometimes a sign of a serious medical condition, such as a brain tumor or aneurysm.

Can tension headaches get worse when lying down?

Cervicogenic headaches may intensify when you’re lying down. Some people will actually wake up because the pain disrupts their sleep. When lying down, you may also feel a pressure on the top of your head like a weight.

What causes pain at base of skull?

Occipital neuralgia is a condition in which the nerves that run from the top of the spinal cord up through the scalp, called the occipital nerves, are inflamed or injured. You might feel pain in the back of your head or the base of your skull.

Why is the back of my head tender to touch?

Scalp tenderness is a fairly common complaint, linked with several medical conditions that affect lots of people. Migraines, tension headaches, and autoimmune disorders like psoriasis can all cause the scalp to become inflamed, irritated, and painful.

How do I relieve tension at the base of my skull?

Give yourself a neck massage.

Apply gentle pressure from your fingertips at the base of your skull. This massage can help calm tight muscles and release tension. You can also place a rolled towel under your head and neck as you lie down on your back. The pressure from the towel can provide a gentle massage.

What is a wake up headache?

Early morning headaches are experienced by 1 in 13 people. They may be the result of a change in your body physiology. In the early morning hours, your body’s level of internal pain reduction may be lowered. Additionally, your body may make more adrenalin during this time, resulting in migraine headaches.

How does occipital neuralgia start?

Occipital neuralgia may occur spontaneously, or as the result of a pinched nerve root in the neck (from arthritis, for example), or because of prior injury or surgery to the scalp or skull. Sometimes “tight” muscles at the back of the head can entrap the nerves.

What causes headaches at night while sleeping?

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.

What does it mean when your head throbs?

Throbbing results from the dilation of your blood vessels from the increased blood flow. Throbbing often feels like a pulsing sensation and can come and go quickly. The throbbing in your head can also feel like a vibration or mimic a heartbeat. Headaches can often be reduced or cured with a treatment plan.

Can feel pulse in head when lying down?

Heart palpitations at night occur when you get the feeling of a strong pulse in your chest, neck, or head after you lay down to sleep. It’s important to note that while these may be unsettling, they’re usually normal and aren’t typically a sign of anything more serious.