Hypnic headache associated with stage 3 slow wave sleep.

We describe the polysomnographic data of a 79-year-old woman with an 11-year history of nocturnal headaches that were clinically consistent with hypnic headache. A polysomnographic study showed arousal at stage 3 slow wave sleep because of a headache episode. Although this finding could be nonspecific, it suggests the possible relationship between stage 3 slow wave sleep and hypnic headache.