head ache after nap

[chinni910]

I am 40 male.rarely i used to take 20 to 30 minutes nap after lunch at 3 pm or so . Immediately after that i suffer moderate to severe head ache upto going  the night. please answer me why and what to do for this problem?

[Susie180]

I am on this site right now, because I googled "Headaches after napping" Already have had many MRI's and have 13 brain lesions.  MS I guess, but I am migraine prone....But everytime LATELY, each nap I take each day from 1:30 to 2"3- or 3 pm I wake with the back of my skull and under my right eye throbbing in pain.  Now I will have this headache for 3 days at least.  It's horrible. Have to have the nap, get up at 5 and am 60 yrs. old.  HELP..also I am very stressed out in bad marriage.

[Tuckamore]

I also will get a headache after a nap, or if I don't sleep long enough. It's the very reason I don't nap unless I am exhausted. And I don't mean to offend either. I did had a MRI of my skull about a year ago for a different reason and there was no tumor. But if HA's are persistant and occur other than with an occasional nap I would be concerned. But you should do what you feel is right for you. Take Care, Tuck

[Mollyrae]

Yeah, I agree. It was a suggestion. Something I read while researching HA's. But if the Headaches are long term and a real problem like it sounds, then I think an MRI with contrast is definitly an option.

[mcclos10]

I think going to a neurologist and getting an MRI for a nap related headache is a bit extreme given no other symptoms or problems.  If we went that far over every ache and complaint we would always be having some test done at the hospital.  I don't mean that to sound offensive and of course no one should ever ignore serious symptoms that persist.  I and sandee have this problem too as we mentioned and know countless other people that do as well.  

[sandee1818]

I am not so sure you have tumors from getting headaches from naps but that is a possibility. I think it has to do with the time you take the nap like right after eating and what you eat and how long you nap. I believe mine is from stress like I said but I will keep looking there has to be an explanation!
I was too thinking about blood glucose levels and blood pressure they could also be involved.

[Mollyrae]

Sorry for my spelling today, I'm tired...............

[Mollyrae]

According to studentdoctor.net, the Senior Neurologist suggests that the main concern of a HA that occurs with sleep is tumor related ( fourtunately tumor is a rare cause of HA) When you sleep, there is some Co2 increase that leads to increase in ICP (inter-cranial pressure) in the contest space-occupying lesions. See a Neurologist and get an MRI. Good luck with you HA and take care, Mollyrae

[mcclos10]

I also have a headache if I take any length of nap.  it is very frustrating especially when you don't feel well to begin with.  Often I find myself fighting to stay awake but fear lying down becuase I don't want to nod off and wake up with a head ache.  It has never made any sense to me why it would be different than sleeping at night but for me it has always caused head aches.  I have mentioned it to doctors many times over the years but no one has ever had an explanation.

[sandee1818]

I don't know but from the reading I done on it , it seems the perfect nap is thirty minutes long and if you sleep too long or not enough sleep it can cause headaches. Also what your eating could be a factor in why your getting the headaches too. Stress is a big cause and when you try and nap when your stressed or know you have things to do it can cause tension leading to headaches.
I am sorry I don't have the answer but your not alone, I will get a headache if I take a nap in the afternoon too, in my case I think it is stress because the whole time I am thinking/worrying about all the things I need to do and has not been done.
I hope this helps and I will keep looking to find you an answer:)