Neurologist Speaks Frankly: If You Notice This Sign While Sleeping, You Should See a Doctor Early

A neurologist has issued a warning for people who frequently wake up in the middle of the night because of an uncomfortable symptom.

Dr. Mina, who introduces herself as a neurologist and headache specialist, regularly shares videos with tens of thousands of followers on social media.

In a recent post on her account @Migraineswithmina, Dr. Mina asked her 64,000 TikTok followers:
“Do headaches wake you up in the middle of the night? If so, you might have a condition called hypnic headache. I’m a board-certified neurologist and headache specialist, so let’s talk about it.”

In the video, Dr. Mina explained that this type of headache is quite rare but can be a sign that you should see a doctor.
“Hypnic headache is a rare headache disorder that occurs only in the middle of the night. It repeatedly wakes you up from sleep. Another distinguishing feature is that it’s not associated with light or sound sensitivity like migraines, and it doesn’t cause nausea. It’s usually a dull, moderate headache.”

She added that this condition most commonly affects people aged 50 and older, though younger individuals can also experience it.

Causes and Treatment

Dr. Mina continued:
“We believe something is going wrong with the internal biological clock, specifically involving the hypothalamus and circadian rhythm disruption. That’s why you’re awakened—your brain wakes you up with a dull headache.”

According to the specialist, treatment options vary:
“One interesting thing is that caffeine can actually help. For example, consuming caffeine about 30–40 minutes before bedtime may be effective. In addition, lithium (under medical supervision) and melatonin have also been shown to help some people.”

Hypnic headache—also known as an “alarm clock headache”—is a rare primary headache disorder that occurs only during sleep. It typically wakes people over the age of 50 at the same time every night, usually between 1 a.m. and 3 a.m. The pain may feel dull, stabbing, or throbbing, can affect one or both sides of the head, and may last from 15 minutes to 4 hours.

In some cases, it may also cause mild nausea, sensitivity to light or sound, or tearing of the eyes. People with hypnic headache may experience these attacks 10 days per month or more.

The first-line recommended treatment is caffeine (such as coffee) taken before bedtime. Other alternatives include indomethacin or melatonin.

Most importantly, it’s essential to consult a healthcare professional for appropriate advice. Dr. Mina urged people to seek medical attention if they have health concerns:
“If headaches are frequently waking you up in the middle of the night, don’t ignore it. Talk to a headache specialist—or there could be another condition that needs to be checked. So, speak with your doctor.”