Headache

Hypnic Headache

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Hypnic Headache

  • See Also
  1. Headache
  2. Cough Headache
  3. Headache Red Flag
  4. Organic Headache
  5. Chronic Daily Headache
  • Classification
  1. Brief Headache Syndrome
  • Precautions
  1. Headache that awakens a patient out of sleep is a Headache Red Flag
  2. Hypnic Headache is a diagnosis of exclusion
    1. First evaluate for Organic Headache (e.g. Intracranial Mass)
  • Symptoms
  1. Headache onset during sleep (typically at least 1-2 hours after falling asleep)
  2. Moderate throbbing Headache
  3. No associated Nausea, Vomiting, photophobia or autonomic symptoms
  • Diagnosis (requires 2 of 3 criteria)
  1. Headache lasts more than 15 minutes after awakening (and typically <3 hours)
  2. Age over 50 years old
  3. Occurs more than 15 times per month
  • Management
  1. Lithium
  2. Caffeine (100-200 mg) prior to bedtime may prevent Headache
  • References
  1. (2004) Cephalgia 24(suppl 1): 9-160 [PubMed]
  2. Yancey (2014) Am Fam Physician 89(8): 642-8 [PubMed]