Any type of headache can occur in the afternoon. If headaches regularly occur at this time of day, it may be due to a repeated trigger earlier on.
Any type of headache can occur in the afternoon, and there is usually a trigger from the prior evening or earlier in the morning. If headaches consistently recur in the afternoon, it could be due to a frequently repeated trigger earlier in the day.
Learn more about the most common causes of an afternoon headache, as well as how to treat them and when to see a doctor.
Some people experience dehydration headaches in the afternoon. Dehydration headaches can occur after a person doesn’t drink water for several hours after waking up, skips their lunch break, or consumes a lot of coffee without drinking any water.
When a person experiences dehydration, they may also have other symptoms, such as:
- dry mouth, lips, and throat
- dark urine or infrequent urination
- dizziness
- irritability
Tension headaches are the
Tension headaches tend to come on slowly and get progressively worse over several hours. A person may notice this type of headache after spending several hours in the car, at the computer, or in an uncomfortable position.
A person with a tension headache may notice that the muscles in their neck or shoulders feel tense. They may also find that massaging these muscles either eases the headache or makes it worse.
Tension headaches are not dangerous, but they can last for hours or days. Stretching the head, neck, and shoulders, taking over-the-counter painkillers, and taking frequent screen breaks may help.
Caffeine can be a headache trigger for some people. It may also contribute to dehydration, potentially intensifying a dehydration headache. For others, caffeine may prevent or ease symptoms of headaches.
People who regularly consume caffeine may experience caffeine withdrawal headaches if they cut back or miss a routine morning or afternoon cup of coffee.
Caffeine withdrawal headaches often occur in the afternoon when the body is missing its usual dose of caffeine.
Some people get headaches or migraine when they skip a meal or feel hungry due to a drop in blood sugar levels.
A person experiencing a hunger headache may also feel tired, shaky, or dizzy. Sometimes, people with hunger headaches can faint.
Uncorrected vision problems, eyestrain from staring at a computer for long periods, and muscle imbalances in the face or neck may cause headaches.
Eyestrain headaches are an uncommon type of headache that causes pain in the front of the head. A person may feel exhausted or notice that the pain gets worse when they spend several hours at a computer.
Wearing glasses or contacts often helps eyestrain headaches. Some people also find relief from performing eye exercises, taking frequent breaks, or wearing special glasses that reduce the strain of blue light.
Allergies can cause painful pressure in the head and face. A person with an allergy may:
- sneeze a lot
- feel distracted or fatigued
- notice that their eyes are itchy
- feel as though they are getting sick
Allergies typically affect a person whenever they get exposure to an allergen. The pain is rarely limited to a specific time of day. However, it is possible to experience afternoon allergy headaches when the allergen is present during the afternoon. For instance, a person may develop a headache following a lunchtime walk outside or an afternoon meeting in which someone was wearing heavy perfume.
Cecilia’s story: Afternoon headaches
“Typically, I know a headache or migraine is coming when my head tends to feel very tight towards the afternoon, with a faint sense of nausea. My main trigger is lack of good sleep, and I know a migraine is coming if painkillers don’t manage to touch it.
Unfortunately, with my headaches or migraine, work or my day is almost always ruined. The pain and nausea is entirely overwhelming, and the only thing that helps is giving myself the space to rest and sleep it off in a dark room, making sure I have taken painkillers, eaten something, and drank a good amount of water.”
The type of treatment for headaches depends on their cause. A headache can often be managed or prevented from worsening by removing the trigger.
Some simple lifestyle strategies that may reduce the likelihood of getting a headache include:
- taking frequent breaks at work
- avoiding sitting in hunched or strained positions
- stretching and moving around as often as possible
- drinking plenty of water during the day
- eating regular, healthful meals
- avoiding headache triggers, such as alcohol
- having regular eye exams
- wearing prescription lenses that an eye doctor has prescribed, if applicable
- wearing a mask if there are smells or fumes at a workplace that trigger headaches
People who find that caffeine relieves a headache can usually avoid this symptom by drinking some caffeine early in the day. The body goes through withdrawal when there is a disruption to its usual schedule.
Migraine can be more challenging to treat, but a combination of medication and lifestyle changes can often help.
A person should seek emergency care for symptoms of dangerous headaches, such as:
- high blood pressure
- unbearable pain
- a sudden intense headache
- a headache following an injury
- vision changes
- blurry vision
- weakness
- recurrent vomitting
People who experience chronic headaches should discuss their symptoms with a doctor if:
- there is no apparent trigger for the pain
- lifestyle changes do not help
- the headaches get steadily worse with time
- the headache pattern changes
Cecilia’s story: Afternoon headaches
“My self-care plan always starts with being kind to myself; not pushing myself further to suffer deeply with a migraine, and making sure I know that sometimes there isn’t anything I can do. I always notice that when I give myself that space, the stress I usually feel with having the headache and being unable to continue my day or whatever I’m doing, the migraine tends to get better!”
Headaches can be bothersome and unpleasant, even when they do not signal a serious health problem.
Chronic headaches can make it difficult to work, enjoy hobbies, or even perform simple daily tasks. However, most headaches are treatable, and many are preventable.
A person who experiences frequent headaches should log all episodes to understand their pattern better and then see a doctor to discuss potential causes and management strategies.