ckoplien@todaystmj4.com

twitter.com/craigkoplien

There aren't too many things I hate more than waking up with a headache.

I mean, when I get a headache, laying down and sleeping (if possible) usually makes it go away.

That's why it's so backwards (and infuriating) when I wake up and start my day with a headache.

So, what's the deal?

Is there are reason why people sometimes wake up with headaches?

Any doctors out there?

I'm not sure, but my diagnosis might be rather easy.  As you may know, my sleep schedule is, um, less than ideal.  My job requires me to get up at 230am.  (Just thinking about that is enough to give one a headache, hey?!?)  I try to go to bed early enough...but to get the recommended 8 hours of sleep that they say is ideal would require me to go to bed at 630pm.  Even at this time of the year when it gets darker earlier, that's just not going to happen for the dad of 3 very busy (and wonderful) teen and pre-teen daughters.

Anyway, so I don't get enough sleep at night as I should...but I don't have "wake-up headaches" all the time...just once in a while.

Which brings me back to the original question...what's the deal?  What causes you to wake up with a headache.

I hit this morning's pounding forehead with 2 Advil at home, then a 2 Tylenol chaser after being at work for a while with no relief.

And it still hurts now.

This may be one that's going to hang around until I get a chance to nap this afternoon.

And if I still have it when I wake up from that...well...

...well...

...well, I don't know what I'll do...

...but I'll be mad...

...and I'll do something!