Hypnic Headache Due to Hypoglycemia: A Case Report.

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Endocrinology
• Sleep Medicine

Background:

• Hypnic headache (HH) is a rare primary headache disorder often linked to chronobiological factors.
• The pathophysiology of hypnic headache remains poorly understood, with few secondary causes identified.

Observation:

• A 64-year-old woman experienced headaches exclusively during sleep, meeting diagnostic criteria for hypnic headache.
• Continuous glucose monitoring revealed episodes of hypoglycemia coinciding with headache onset.

Findings:

• This case presents the first reported instance of symptomatic hypnic headaches associated with hypoglycemia.
• The findings suggest a direct link between metabolic dysfunction (hypoglycemia) and hypnic headache.

Implications:

• This suggests that hypoglycemia can be a direct cause of hypnic headaches, challenging the view of HH as solely a chronobiological disorder.
• Further research into metabolic disorders as a cause of secondary hypnic headaches is warranted.