Headache behind the eyes is linked to eye strain, tension headaches, migraines, cluster headaches, and sinus problems. Show
To manage headaches effectively, it’s important to determine triggers, so you can effectively avoid them. Treatment includes rest, hydration, pain relievers, and other medications. Headache Behind the Eyes DefinedA headache behind the eye can be a pain that feels as if it is coming from behind the eye region. It may be throbbing like a pulse or not throbbing. The location of pain may not truly indicate the cause of the pain. Headaches behind the eyes may be caused by various health problems, such as eye strain, migraines, tension headaches, cluster headaches, or sinus issues. To find relief, it is important to investigate possible causes and then address the root issue. Talk with your doctor to identify the cause and determine the most effective treatments for your specific type of headache. Causes of Headache Behind the EyesThese are some of the most common causes of headache behind the eyes: Eye StrainDigital eye strain or computer eye strain can produce the feeling of a headache behind the eyes. The cause is staring for long periods at a computer screen or when doing fine work. Poor lighting and lack of movement may also contribute to this condition. Along with headaches, there can be additional symptoms of this kind of eye strain, such as these:
MigraineMigraines can cause extreme pain, sometimes feeling as if the pain is behind one eye. In the United States, migraines affect about 16 percent of adults. The causes vary, but migraines are often linked with stress, anxiety, lack of sleep, and hormonal changes. Additional causes may be environmental, such as smoky air, weather changes, and fluctuations in barometric pressure. Some causes of migraines are triggers linked to diet and lifestyle, including smoking, and drinking too much caffeine or alcohol. Dietary triggers may include foods with preservatives, such as MSG and nitrates. Dehydration can also bring on migraines. In addition to the pain of the headache, individuals may also experience symptoms, such as these:
Tension HeadachesTension headaches are often caused by excessive stress, lack of sleep, driving long distances, poor posture, or staring too long at a computer screen. They may also be linked with skipping meals or not drinking enough water. Tension headaches feel as if the pain is behind both eyes, and they may include a sensation of pressure on the forehead. They can happen at any time of the day or night, and they may last between 30 minutes and several hours. Symptoms vary, but often include the following:
Cluster HeadachesCluster headaches are rare. They have the name cluster because they tend to occur in a group, such as one to eight short painful episodes in a day. The clusters may also occur at the same time of year for a month or two. The exact cause of cluster headaches is still undetermined, but they seem to occur more commonly in men. Symptoms include the following:
Sinus ConditionsHeadache pain behind the eyes may arise when the sinuses are inflamed or congested. Sinusitis creates pressure that may be experienced behind one or both eyes. Sinusitis can be caused by allergies or viruses in the sinuses. Additionally, dental surgery or nasal polyps may cause sinus pain. Common symptoms in addition to a headache include the following:
Eye Conditions Associated With Headaches Behind the EyesHeadaches behind the eye may be associated with more serious causes, such as optic neuritis and angle-closure glaucoma. Optic neuritis is a condition where the optic nerve is inflamed. This condition is linked with autoimmune disorders and often has symptoms that cause headache pain behind or in the area of the eyes. Symptoms may also include dim vision, blurry vision, and pain in moving the eyes. Glaucoma is a condition where fluid builds up in your eye and can damage the optic nerve. Headaches with severe throbbing eye pain can be symptoms of a form of glaucoma called angle-closure glaucoma. The symptoms may also include blurry vision, seeing halos, red eyes, nausea, and vomiting. Both optic neuritis and angle-closure glaucoma are severe conditions. If either is suspected, you should contact your eye doctor or go to an emergency room. Diagnosis: How Do You Determine the Cause?Your doctor will investigate the nature, frequency, intensity, and patterns of your headaches. They may recommend an eye examination to rule out potential underlying medical conditions. If you have unusual headaches, your doctor may conduct imaging tests. These are the two most common imaging tests for the brain:
With these diagnostic tests, your doctor may be able to rule out serious conditions that could be causing headaches behind the eyes. Triggers for HeadachesTriggers for headaches largely depend on the type of headache you’re experiencing. There is a lot of overlap in triggers as well. Eye strain is often triggered by staring at a computer for hours, without moving position. Lack of water or food, as well as poor posture, can contribute to activating this kind of headache. Tension headaches are one of the most common forms of headaches that cause pain behind the eyes. Triggers can be hunger and poor hydration. Tension headaches can be caused by staring at a screen or detailed work for too long. They can also be due to poor posture. Migraines may be triggered by stress, lack of sleep, bright lights, or smoky environments. Certain foods, such as red wine, cheese, and chocolate, can trigger migraines. Specific preservatives like MSG or nitrates can also be triggers for migraines. Cluster headaches may be brought on by alcohol, smoking, or certain medications. Sinus headaches can be triggered by allergies, colds, and sinus congestion. Risk Factors for HeadachesHeadaches are incredibly common. Up to 75 percent of adults worldwide have experienced a headache in the past year. And headaches can take a toll on overall quality of life, affecting attendance at work or school. There are over 150 types of headaches. The primary ones are not caused by a medical condition, and these include cluster headaches, migraines, and tension headaches. Some headaches are called secondary headaches, and they may be related to other medical conditions. These could be diseases of the blood vessels in the brain, high blood pressure, or head injury. Additionally head injury, infection, and overuse of medications may be contributing factors to some headaches. Treatment for Headache Behind the EyesThere are many different treatment approaches for headaches behind the eyes, ranging from home remedies and lifestyle adjustments to over-the-counter and prescription medications. MedicationsMedications are available both over the counter as well as by prescription. Over-the-Counter MedicationsSome headaches can be helped with over-the-counter painkillers. Pain relief drugs, such as aspirin, acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil), or naproxen (Motrin), are available for rapid pain relief. Some drugs offer pain relief as well as an added ingredient like caffeine or a sedative. Many of these are available without a prescription. If you are unsure how these work, your local pharmacist can likely advise you. Prescription Medications If you have frequent or severe headaches, talk with your doctor about prescription options. Some medications are considered preventative that may take several weeks to build up in your body before they show an effect. It is helpful to have realistic expectations so that you can understand how long it may take to experience an improvement. Cluster headaches are often treated with verapamil or prednisone. Sinus-related headaches may be treated with nasal sprays to open and reduce sinus pressure. Nose drops may also be beneficial. Triptan medication may relieve the pain of migraines and tension-type headaches. If these work for you, they can have a dramatic impact on your pain, quality of life, and ability to do work. Talk with your doctor to see if this medication choice is appropriate for you. Lasmiditan is a new oral medication that improves pain and offers relief from nausea as well as light and sound sensitivity. This medication may be considered safer for people with cardiovascular issues. Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) antibodies are a new development in the treatment of migraines. This innovative treatment can be delivered with a shot once a month or an IV dose once every three months. Talk with your doctor to understand if this is a recommended option for your condition. Some tricyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptyline and protriptyline, may provide relief from headaches on an ongoing basis. Home RemediesTraditional home remedies for headaches have been around for decades, largely because they
often work. Here are some of them:
While these may seem too small to have an impact, many people find that simple home remedies help to create a calm environment, and this can ease a headache behind the eyes. By experimenting, you can determine which home remedies are most effective for you.
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