What causes headaches behind the eyes. How to identify different types of eye-related headaches. What are common triggers for headaches behind the eyes. How to treat and prevent headaches behind the eyes effectively.

Understanding Headaches Behind the Eyes: Types and Symptoms

Headaches behind the eyes can be a source of significant discomfort and concern for many individuals. These localized pains can stem from various causes and manifest in different ways. Let’s explore the main types of headaches that commonly cause pain behind the eyes and their distinctive symptoms.

Migraine Headaches

Migraines are often characterized by intense pain that typically begins around the eye and temple area. What sets migraines apart from other headaches? They can be accompanied by an aura, which may include visual disturbances such as halos or flashing lights that precede the onset of pain. Migraine sufferers might also experience:

• Nausea
• Runny nose or congestion
• Sensitivity to light, sounds, or smells
• Pain that spreads to the back of the head

How long do migraine headaches typically last? These debilitating headaches can persist for several hours to a few days, significantly impacting daily activities.

Tension Headaches

As the most common type of headache, tension headaches often manifest as a dull pain on both sides of the head or across the forehead, extending behind the eyes. What are the distinguishing features of tension headaches?

• Pain that feels like a tight band around the head
• Discomfort in the shoulders and neck
• Duration ranging from 20 minutes to a few hours

Cluster Headaches

Cluster headaches are known for causing severe pain around the eyes, often affecting only one side. What makes cluster headaches unique? They occur in cyclical patterns or clusters, with sufferers experiencing multiple attacks daily for weeks, followed by long periods of remission.

What are the telltale signs of a cluster headache?

• Intense, piercing pain around one eye
• Watery eyes
• Nasal congestion
• Flushed face on the affected side
• Restlessness during attacks

Cluster headaches are less common than other types and predominantly affect men. How long do these attacks typically last? Each episode usually persists for 30 to 60 minutes.

Sinus Headaches and Eye-Related Pain

Sinus headaches are often confused with other types of headaches, but they have distinct characteristics. What causes sinus headaches? They typically result from sinus infections (sinusitis) and can lead to pain around the eyes, nose, forehead, cheeks, and upper teeth.

What symptoms accompany sinus headaches?

• Fever
• Nasal congestion
• Thick nasal discharge
• Pain that worsens throughout the day

It’s important to note that true sinus headaches are relatively rare. Many cases of suspected sinus headaches are actually migraines or cluster headaches misdiagnosed as sinus-related issues.

Eyestrain: A Common Cause of Discomfort Behind the Eyes

Eyestrain is a frequent cause of discomfort behind the eyes, often resulting from prolonged visual activities. What activities commonly lead to eyestrain?

• Extended periods of staring at computer screens
• Long hours of driving
• Reading for extended periods

What are the symptoms of eyestrain?

• Sore, itching, or burning eyes
• Watery eyes
• Blurred vision
• Shoulder and back pain

While eyestrain can be uncomfortable, it’s generally not a serious condition. How can eyestrain be alleviated? Rest and taking regular breaks from visually demanding tasks often provide relief.

Identifying Triggers for Headaches Behind the Eyes

Understanding what triggers headaches behind the eyes is crucial for prevention and management. Different types of headaches may have distinct triggers. Let’s explore some common triggers for various headache types:

Migraine Triggers

What factors can trigger migraine headaches?

• Sleep deprivation
• Weather changes
• Stress
• Bright lights or loud noises
• Strong odors
• Certain foods and drinks (e.g., alcohol, chocolate, MSG)
• Skipping meals

Tension Headache Triggers

What commonly triggers tension headaches?

• Stress
• Poor posture
• Neck or jaw muscle issues
• Fatigue
• Dehydration
• Bright sunlight
• Certain smells

Cluster Headache Triggers

What factors are known to trigger cluster headaches?

• Alcohol consumption
• Smoking
• Certain medications

By identifying and avoiding these triggers, individuals may be able to reduce the frequency and severity of their headaches. How can one effectively track headache triggers? Keeping a headache diary to record potential triggers and headache occurrences can be a valuable tool in managing this condition.

Treatment Options for Headaches Behind the Eyes

When it comes to treating headaches behind the eyes, various approaches can be effective depending on the type and severity of the headache. Let’s explore both medication-based and home remedies for managing these headaches.

Medication for Headache Behind the Eye

What over-the-counter medications can help with headaches behind the eyes?

• Acetaminophen
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen or naproxen

These medications can be effective for occasional headaches and may even help with migraines if taken early enough. However, it’s crucial to use them judiciously to avoid medication overuse headaches.

What prescription medications are available for frequent or severe headaches?

• For tension headaches: Antidepressants like amitriptyline
• For migraines: Triptans (e.g., almotriptan, eletriptan, rizatriptan, sumatriptan, zolmitriptan)
• For chronic migraines: Beta-blockers or antidepressants as preventive measures
• For cluster headaches: Oxygen therapy, injected triptans, lidocaine nasal drops, verapamil, or prednisone

How effective are triptans for migraine relief? Many people find relief within 2 hours if taken early in the migraine attack.

For sinus headaches, what’s the primary treatment approach? Clearing the underlying infection is key, often involving antibiotics and decongestants as prescribed by a healthcare provider.

Home Remedies for Headache Behind the Eye

What home remedies can help alleviate headaches behind the eyes?

• For migraines: Caffeine consumption or applying ice packs
• For tension headaches: Using a heating pad, taking a warm shower, or resting
• For sinus headaches: Inhaling warm, moist air from a vaporizer or steam

How can lifestyle changes help prevent headaches?

• Practicing stress management techniques like yoga or deep breathing
• Maintaining regular meal and sleep schedules
• Staying hydrated
• Limiting exposure to known triggers

Prevention Strategies for Headaches Behind the Eyes

Preventing headaches behind the eyes often involves a combination of lifestyle modifications and proactive measures. What strategies can help reduce the frequency and severity of these headaches?

Lifestyle Modifications

• Maintaining a consistent sleep schedule
• Regular exercise
• Practicing good posture, especially when working at a computer
• Taking frequent breaks during visually demanding tasks
• Managing stress through relaxation techniques or meditation

Dietary Considerations

How can diet affect headaches behind the eyes?

• Identifying and avoiding food triggers
• Staying hydrated by drinking adequate water throughout the day
• Limiting caffeine and alcohol intake
• Eating regular, balanced meals to maintain stable blood sugar levels

Environmental Adjustments

What environmental factors can be modified to prevent headaches?

• Ensuring proper lighting in work and living spaces
• Using anti-glare screens on electronic devices
• Minimizing exposure to strong odors or pollutants
• Creating a quiet, comfortable space for relaxation

When to Seek Medical Attention for Headaches Behind the Eyes

While many headaches behind the eyes can be managed with self-care and over-the-counter treatments, certain situations warrant medical attention. When should you consult a healthcare provider for headaches behind the eyes?

• If headaches are severe, persistent, or worsening over time
• When headaches are accompanied by neurological symptoms like vision changes, weakness, or confusion
• If you experience a sudden, severe headache often described as a “thunderclap” headache
• When headaches interfere significantly with daily activities or quality of life
• If you’re taking pain medications more than two or three days a week for headaches

How can a healthcare provider help diagnose the cause of headaches behind the eyes? They may perform a physical exam, review your medical history, and in some cases, order imaging studies or other diagnostic tests to rule out underlying conditions.

Advanced Treatments for Chronic Headaches Behind the Eyes

For individuals with chronic or severe headaches behind the eyes that don’t respond to conventional treatments, what advanced options are available?

Botox Injections

How can Botox help with chronic migraines? Botulinum toxin injections can be effective in reducing the frequency and severity of migraines in some patients. The treatment typically involves multiple injections around the head and neck every 12 weeks.

Nerve Blocks

What are nerve blocks, and how do they work for headaches? Nerve blocks involve injecting anesthetic medications near specific nerves to interrupt pain signals. This can provide relief for various types of headaches, including cluster headaches.

Neurostimulation Devices

How do neurostimulation devices help with headaches? These devices use electrical or magnetic stimulation to modulate nerve activity involved in headache pain. Examples include transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) units and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) devices.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Can psychological treatments help with chronic headaches? CBT and other psychological interventions can be effective in managing chronic headaches by addressing stress, anxiety, and pain perception.

What’s the goal of these advanced treatments? The primary aim is to reduce the frequency and severity of headaches, improve quality of life, and decrease reliance on pain medications.

The Impact of Headaches Behind the Eyes on Quality of Life

Chronic headaches behind the eyes can significantly impact an individual’s quality of life. How do these headaches affect daily functioning and overall well-being?

Work and Productivity

How do headaches behind the eyes affect work performance?

• Decreased concentration and focus
• Increased absenteeism
• Reduced productivity during headache episodes

Social and Family Life

What aspects of social and family life can be impacted by chronic headaches?

• Cancellation of social engagements due to headache episodes
• Strain on relationships due to mood changes and decreased participation in activities
• Difficulty in planning or committing to future events

Emotional Well-being

How can chronic headaches affect mental health?

• Increased risk of anxiety and depression
• Feelings of frustration, helplessness, or isolation
• Impact on self-esteem and self-efficacy

Given these significant impacts, what’s the importance of seeking comprehensive care for chronic headaches behind the eyes? A multidisciplinary approach that addresses both the physical symptoms and the psychological effects of chronic headaches is often most effective in improving overall quality of life.

Future Directions in Headache Research and Treatment

The field of headache research is constantly evolving, with new treatments and understanding emerging. What are some promising areas of research for headaches behind the eyes?

Genetic Studies

How might genetic research impact headache treatment? Identifying genetic markers associated with different types of headaches could lead to more personalized treatment approaches and potentially new therapeutic targets.

Neuromodulation Techniques

What advancements are being made in neuromodulation for headache treatment? Researchers are exploring new non-invasive and minimally invasive techniques to modulate brain activity and alleviate headache pain.

Biomarkers for Headache Diagnosis

How could biomarkers improve headache diagnosis and treatment? Identifying specific biomarkers for different headache types could lead to more accurate diagnoses and targeted treatments.

Novel Pharmacological Approaches

What new medications are being developed for headache treatment? Research into neuropeptides and their role in headaches is leading to the development of new classes of drugs, such as CGRP inhibitors for migraine prevention.

As research progresses, how might the landscape of headache treatment change? The future may bring more precise, personalized treatments with fewer side effects, potentially transforming the management of headaches behind the eyes and improving the lives of those affected by these conditions.

Headache Behind Eye: Causes, Triggers, and Treatment

Written by Mary Jo DiLonardo, John Donovan

Medically Reviewed by Jennifer Robinson, MD on December 13, 2022

• What Is a Headache Behind the Eye?
• Causes of Headache Behind the Eye
• Headache Behind the Eye Triggers
• Headache Behind the Eye Treatment
• Waking Up With a Headache Behind the Eyes?

If you feel pain behind your eyes, there are many possible causes. There’s a good chance it could be a specific type of headache.

Migraine headaches

These headaches often begin with pain around your eye and temple. They can spread to the back of your head. You might also have an aura, which can include visual signs like a halo or flashing lights that sometimes come before the pain starts.

Getting a headache behind your eyes can happen for a wide range of reasons, including migraine and sleep problems.

You may also have nausea, a runny nose, or congestion. You could be sensitive to light, sounds, or smells. Migraine headaches can last several hours to a few days.

Tension headaches

These are the most common type of headache. They usually cause a dull pain on both sides of your head or across the front of your head, behind your eyes. Your shoulders and neck may also hurt. Tension headaches might last 20 minutes to a few hours.

Cluster headaches

These cause severe pain around your eyes, often around just one eye. They usually come in groups. You may have several of them every day for weeks and then not have any for a year or more before they start again.

Along with the pain, you may also have watery eyes, congestion, and a red, flushed face. The attacks last 30 to 60 minutes and are so strong that you may be restless and can’t stand still while they happen. Cluster headaches aren’t very common and mostly happen in men.

Sinus headaches

A sinus infection (sinusitis) can cause a headache around your eyes, nose, forehead, cheeks, and upper teeth. This is where your sinuses are. You’ll often also have a fever, congestion, and a thick nasal discharge. The pain usually gets worse throughout the day.

True sinus headaches are rare. Migraine and cluster headaches are often mistaken for sinus headaches.

Eyestrain

This is when your eyes get tired from working too hard from doing things like staring at a computer screen or driving for a long time.

Other symptoms can include:

• Sore, itching, burning eyes
• Watery eyes
• Blurred vision
• Sore shoulders or back

Eyestrain isn’t serious and usually goes away when you rest your eyes.

Different things may set off each type of headache.

You might get migraines because of:

• A lack of sleep
• Weather changes
• Stress
• Lights
• Noises
• Smells
• Things you eat or drink, like alcohol, chocolate, or MSG
• Missing a meal

Things that may give you a tension headache include:

• Stress
• Eyestrain
• Poor posture
• Problems with the muscles or joints in your neck or jaw
• Fatigue
• Dehydration or missing a meal
• Bright sunlight
• Noise
• Certain smells

Cluster headaches are often triggered by alcohol, smoking, or certain medications.

Learning to avoid your triggers may prevent headaches or make them less painful. If you do get one, there are many kinds of treatments.

Medication for headache behind the eye

Over-the-counter pain medicine can ease occasional headaches. It may even help with migraine if you take it early enough. Doctors often recommend acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen or naproxen. But remember that taking them too often can trigger overuse headaches.

If you get frequent tension headaches, your doctor may prescribe medication. Antidepressants like amitriptyline help many people.

Sometimes, prescription drugs are the only things that will ease migraine pain. Some of the most common are triptans such as almotriptan (Axert), eletriptan (Relpax), rizatriptan (Maxalt), sumatriptan (Imitrex), and zolmitriptan (Zomig). They help most people within 2 hours if taken early enough. People who get chronic migraines often take medicine like beta-blockers or antidepressants every day to help cut back on how many they have.

Breathing pure oxygen may bring relief of cluster headaches. Injected triptans like sumatriptan and lidocaine nose drops might also help. Some people take medicines such as verapamil (Calan, Verelan) or prednisone to prevent attacks.

Treat a sinus headache by clearing up the infection. Your doctor might suggest antibiotics and decongestants.

Home remedies for headache behind the eye

Caffeine or ice packs may help with migraine pain.

For a tension headache, try a heating pad or a warm shower, or rest until the headache goes away. It can also help to find better ways to handle stress. Learn relaxation techniques like yoga or deep breathing. Try not to skip meals or get too tired.

When you have a sinus infection, breathe in warm, moist air from a vaporizer or a pot of boiling water to ease congestion. Warm compresses can also help.

If your eyes are often strained, take breaks and blink more. Artificial tears may also refresh your eyes. Check with your doctor to make sure your vision prescription is up to date, and ask about exercises to strengthen eye muscles.

If you wake up in the morning with a pounding headache behind your eyes, you’re not alone. Here’s a look at some common causes of morning headaches:

Hangovers. After drinking too much alcohol, when your blood alcohol content drops back to normal or close to it, you start to feel symptoms that can include headaches. They can be caused by a couple of things. When you drink, the alcohol causes your body to make more urine, which can cause you to become dehydrated. The alcohol also causes your blood vessels to expand, which can lead to headaches. If you have more severe symptoms like confusion, seizures, slow breathing, or loss of consciousness, get medical help right away.

Migraine. The most common time for a migraine to happen is the early morning as pain medication you took before you went to sleep begins to wear off. But migraine headaches are complicated. They’re different for everybody. If you have a migraine or headache of any type that continually wakes you in the morning and gets in the way of your work or personal life, a doctor’s visit may be in order. Treatments, including over-the-counter and prescription medications, are available.

Sleep apnea. This is a condition where your throat muscles partially collapse while you sleep and interrupt your breathing. Other signs of sleep apnea include dry mouth and snoring. Sleep apnea is a serious health problem. Your doctor may suggest that you do a sleep test. A continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine might help, and lifestyle changes like losing weight and rolling off your back while you sleep could also help you get better rest.

Other sleep disorders. The relationship between sleep and headaches is a tricky one. Sometimes headaches are the cause of poor sleep, sometimes they’re the result of it. If it’s hard to get to sleep, stay asleep, or if you just wake up too early, you may have insomnia. It’s been tied to some forms of chronic headaches, including morning headaches. Circadian rhythm sleep disorders mess with when you fall to sleep or wake up. They can lead to morning headaches, too. If you think you may have a sleep disorder, see your doctor.

Overmedication. A medication overuse headache (MOH) can happen if you’re already prone to headaches and you take a lot of pain meds. A MOH usually hits right when you wake up. For those with chronic headaches, using medication more than 2 or 3 days a week may be too much. Check with your doctor about this. They can help you treat your headaches without overusing pain meds.

TMJ. The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects your jaw to your skull. Pain in the joint and its surrounding muscles, caused by things like too much gum chewing or clenching and grinding your teeth at night, can bring a morning headache. A dentist can prescribe an oral device to keep you from grinding your teeth at night. 

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Headache Behind Eye: Causes, Triggers, and Treatment

Written by Mary Jo DiLonardo, John Donovan

Medically Reviewed by Jennifer Robinson, MD on December 13, 2022

• What Is a Headache Behind the Eye?
• Causes of Headache Behind the Eye
• Headache Behind the Eye Triggers
• Headache Behind the Eye Treatment
• Waking Up With a Headache Behind the Eyes?

If you feel pain behind your eyes, there are many possible causes. There’s a good chance it could be a specific type of headache.

Migraine headaches

These headaches often begin with pain around your eye and temple. They can spread to the back of your head. You might also have an aura, which can include visual signs like a halo or flashing lights that sometimes come before the pain starts.

Getting a headache behind your eyes can happen for a wide range of reasons, including migraine and sleep problems.

You may also have nausea, a runny nose, or congestion. You could be sensitive to light, sounds, or smells. Migraine headaches can last several hours to a few days.

Tension headaches

These are the most common type of headache. They usually cause a dull pain on both sides of your head or across the front of your head, behind your eyes. Your shoulders and neck may also hurt. Tension headaches might last 20 minutes to a few hours.

Cluster headaches

These cause severe pain around your eyes, often around just one eye. They usually come in groups. You may have several of them every day for weeks and then not have any for a year or more before they start again.

Along with the pain, you may also have watery eyes, congestion, and a red, flushed face. The attacks last 30 to 60 minutes and are so strong that you may be restless and can’t stand still while they happen. Cluster headaches aren’t very common and mostly happen in men.

Sinus headaches

A sinus infection (sinusitis) can cause a headache around your eyes, nose, forehead, cheeks, and upper teeth. This is where your sinuses are. You’ll often also have a fever, congestion, and a thick nasal discharge. The pain usually gets worse throughout the day.

True sinus headaches are rare. Migraine and cluster headaches are often mistaken for sinus headaches.

Eyestrain

This is when your eyes get tired from working too hard from doing things like staring at a computer screen or driving for a long time.

Other symptoms can include:

• Sore, itching, burning eyes
• Watery eyes
• Blurred vision
• Sore shoulders or back

Eyestrain isn’t serious and usually goes away when you rest your eyes.

Different things may set off each type of headache.

You might get migraines because of:

• A lack of sleep
• Weather changes
• Stress
• Lights
• Noises
• Smells
• Things you eat or drink, like alcohol, chocolate, or MSG
• Missing a meal

Things that may give you a tension headache include:

• Stress
• Eyestrain
• Poor posture
• Problems with the muscles or joints in your neck or jaw
• Fatigue
• Dehydration or missing a meal
• Bright sunlight
• Noise
• Certain smells

Cluster headaches are often triggered by alcohol, smoking, or certain medications.

Learning to avoid your triggers may prevent headaches or make them less painful. If you do get one, there are many kinds of treatments.

Medication for headache behind the eye

Over-the-counter pain medicine can ease occasional headaches. It may even help with migraine if you take it early enough. Doctors often recommend acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen or naproxen. But remember that taking them too often can trigger overuse headaches.

If you get frequent tension headaches, your doctor may prescribe medication. Antidepressants like amitriptyline help many people.

Sometimes, prescription drugs are the only things that will ease migraine pain. Some of the most common are triptans such as almotriptan (Axert), eletriptan (Relpax), rizatriptan (Maxalt), sumatriptan (Imitrex), and zolmitriptan (Zomig). They help most people within 2 hours if taken early enough. People who get chronic migraines often take medicine like beta-blockers or antidepressants every day to help cut back on how many they have.

Breathing pure oxygen may bring relief of cluster headaches. Injected triptans like sumatriptan and lidocaine nose drops might also help. Some people take medicines such as verapamil (Calan, Verelan) or prednisone to prevent attacks.

Treat a sinus headache by clearing up the infection. Your doctor might suggest antibiotics and decongestants.

Home remedies for headache behind the eye

Caffeine or ice packs may help with migraine pain.

For a tension headache, try a heating pad or a warm shower, or rest until the headache goes away. It can also help to find better ways to handle stress. Learn relaxation techniques like yoga or deep breathing. Try not to skip meals or get too tired.

When you have a sinus infection, breathe in warm, moist air from a vaporizer or a pot of boiling water to ease congestion. Warm compresses can also help.

If your eyes are often strained, take breaks and blink more. Artificial tears may also refresh your eyes. Check with your doctor to make sure your vision prescription is up to date, and ask about exercises to strengthen eye muscles.

If you wake up in the morning with a pounding headache behind your eyes, you’re not alone. Here’s a look at some common causes of morning headaches:

Hangovers. After drinking too much alcohol, when your blood alcohol content drops back to normal or close to it, you start to feel symptoms that can include headaches. They can be caused by a couple of things. When you drink, the alcohol causes your body to make more urine, which can cause you to become dehydrated. The alcohol also causes your blood vessels to expand, which can lead to headaches. If you have more severe symptoms like confusion, seizures, slow breathing, or loss of consciousness, get medical help right away.

Migraine. The most common time for a migraine to happen is the early morning as pain medication you took before you went to sleep begins to wear off. But migraine headaches are complicated. They’re different for everybody. If you have a migraine or headache of any type that continually wakes you in the morning and gets in the way of your work or personal life, a doctor’s visit may be in order. Treatments, including over-the-counter and prescription medications, are available.

Sleep apnea. This is a condition where your throat muscles partially collapse while you sleep and interrupt your breathing. Other signs of sleep apnea include dry mouth and snoring. Sleep apnea is a serious health problem. Your doctor may suggest that you do a sleep test. A continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine might help, and lifestyle changes like losing weight and rolling off your back while you sleep could also help you get better rest.

Other sleep disorders. The relationship between sleep and headaches is a tricky one. Sometimes headaches are the cause of poor sleep, sometimes they’re the result of it. If it’s hard to get to sleep, stay asleep, or if you just wake up too early, you may have insomnia. It’s been tied to some forms of chronic headaches, including morning headaches. Circadian rhythm sleep disorders mess with when you fall to sleep or wake up. They can lead to morning headaches, too. If you think you may have a sleep disorder, see your doctor.

Overmedication. A medication overuse headache (MOH) can happen if you’re already prone to headaches and you take a lot of pain meds. A MOH usually hits right when you wake up. For those with chronic headaches, using medication more than 2 or 3 days a week may be too much. Check with your doctor about this. They can help you treat your headaches without overusing pain meds.

TMJ. The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects your jaw to your skull. Pain in the joint and its surrounding muscles, caused by things like too much gum chewing or clenching and grinding your teeth at night, can bring a morning headache. A dentist can prescribe an oral device to keep you from grinding your teeth at night. 

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Headache and pressure on eyes. Causes of pain that presses on the eyes.

Headache and pressure on eyes. Causes of pain that presses on the eyes.

Gimranov Rinat Fazylzhanovich
Neurologist, neurophysiologist, experience – 33 years;
Professor of Neurology, MD;
Clinic for Rehabilitation Neurology. About the author

Publication date: June 26, 2021

Updated: October 24, 2022

Headache is a common phenomenon that periodically visits healthy people. The negative influence of external factors, banal fatigue and / or a number of diseases can lead to the fact that a person’s well-being will deteriorate sharply.

If there is a headache around the eyes, an increase in eye pressure is felt and such sensations become habitual, then it is worth contacting the doctors for a complete diagnosis[1].

Special attention should be paid to cases when taking painkillers does not help to get rid of discomfort. Especially when the pathology is accompanied by accompanying symptoms, indicating a third-party disease.

Article content:

• 1 Causes
  • 1.1 Provoking factors
  • 1.2 When you need a doctor
• 2 Signs of dangerous conditions
• 3 Diagnosis
• 4 Treatment
• 5 Prevention
• 6 References 900 27

Causes

Headache is a non-specific symptom that indicates dozens of different diseases .

Including those that, at first glance, do not relate to problems with the head.

One should be attentive to one’s condition and, if unpleasant sensations arise, analyze whether this is due to external factors.

Provoking factors

Severe headache that presses on the eyes is caused by various reasons:

1. Labile emotional state. Impressive people, experiencing strong emotions, often begin to feel bad. As a rule, this is manifested by localized head cephalgia and an increase in blood pressure, causing an unpleasant feeling in the eye area. A similar picture is typical for VVD of the hypertonic type.

1. Lowering blood glucose levels. This problem concerns not only people with diabetes, but also healthy people. Hunger has a negative effect on well-being. To get rid of discomfort, you need to eat and see if the pain syndrome goes away.

1. Bad habits. The use of substances that gradually destroy the body leads to similar consequences.

1. Inadequate and insufficient sleep, regular severe violation of the regime of rest and work, sleep.

1. Increased intracranial pressure. A dangerous condition that causes severe headache and a feeling of pressure behind the eyes. With head movements, tilt, discomfort will intensify.

1. Wrong choice of devices to improve vision[2]. Glasses and lenses should be selected by a doctor for each person after passing the diagnosis. You may not take into account the specific features of your own vision and provoke a deterioration in the condition. You can avoid discomfort if you turn to an ophthalmologist.

1. Tumors and cysts, which have a specific location in the frontal lobes of the brain, can lead to the fact that a person will regularly feel unwell. If the pain persists and painkillers do not help, you should immediately consult a doctor.

1. Infectious diseases. Intoxication of the body in acute infections is often manifested by such unpleasant symptoms. Soon the rest of the spectrum of symptoms develops – fever, weakness, muscle pain.

1. Concussion. Traumatic brain injuries are dangerous because their consequences are extremely difficult to predict.

1. Physical and psycho-emotional overwork. The manifestation of symptoms is typical for people who devote too much time to intellectual work that requires constant eye strain. Reading, working at a computer, constant access to gadgets are fraught with complications – this is what leads to “dry eye syndrome” [3].

When a doctor is needed

Due to such variability of causes, it can be difficult to understand the situation.

If something regularly presses strongly on the left or right eye from the inside and the head hurts, eye pressure rises, then even the doctor will not immediately tell what kind of disease it is.

A comprehensive examination using instrumental techniques will help to understand the diagnosis.

Pathological processes developing in the organ itself can cause discomfort in the eye area. This situation is dangerous, as it can lead to blindness. You should not postpone a preventive visit to the doctor if the discomfort has become frequent or increases in intensity.

You can read more about the detailed symptoms of a headache.

Signs of dangerous conditions

As a rule, a slight indisposition in the form of a headache around the eyes and a feeling of pressure is eliminated by taking painkillers or even using a folk prescription.

However, there are situations when you need to urgently seek medical help, since the symptoms that appear indicate the development of a serious pathology:

1. Unpleasant sensations regularly return, their intensity increases.
2. Taking painkillers, massage, rest do not help, the pain does not go away.
3. The condition arose suddenly, against the background of well-being or physical, psycho-emotional overload.

1. In addition, the temperature rises, other signs of the development of an infectious disease can be traced.
2. The head hurts very much, with time the sensations become only more acute.
3. Nausea and vomiting are additional symptoms.

Severe headache in the region of the eyes and orbits, felt inside the skull, can have dangerous causes, the symptoms are characteristic of a number of serious diseases [4].

Dangerous diseases occur with similar symptoms: meningitis, strokes, tumor processes. In this case, immediate medical attention can save a life.

Diagnosis

If you experience frequent severe headaches and a feeling that something is pressing on your eyes, you need to immediately find out the causes of the unpleasant condition.

To do this, contact your GP for a basic diagnosis. Based on the results of the initial examination and further tests, the doctor will be able to determine what caused the painful sensation and refer you to a specialized doctor.

To make an accurate diagnosis, find out:

• the nature and strength of the pain that occurs;
• place of concentration of unpleasant sensations;
• duration and frequency of seizures.

After the initial examination, the doctor will refer the patient to a number of studies necessary to clarify the diagnosis:

• electroencephalography (EEG), which will show the electrical state of the brain;
• laboratory blood tests for inflammation, hormonal disruptions, tumor markers;
• Ultrasound or x-ray for suspected intracranial pathology;
• MRI to exclude tumors, search for signs of different variants of encephalopathies.

Based on the results of the examination, a therapeutic course is drawn up, adapted to a particular patient.

Treatment

Pressure on the eyes from the inside, headache are symptoms of many diseases, so self-medication in this case is extremely dangerous.

If this condition occurs only once, then it is possible to take an anesthetic, before carefully studying the instructions [5].

If the head hurts a lot in the area of ​​the eyes or in the area of ​​the eye sockets for about a week, then the doctor must first determine the causes. And then – to prescribe a therapy corresponding to the identified pathology.

Depending on the detected disease, it is possible to use several methods of treatment:

• Drug component. The selection of drugs makes it possible not only to quickly get rid of discomfort, but also to cure the root cause. At the same time, it is extremely important to complete the course of prescribed medications to the end in order to consolidate the result.

• Physiotherapy is prescribed if indicated. With certain diseases, they give a noticeable positive effect: they improve blood circulation in the brain, relieve pain. As a rule, the following are used: acupressure, electrophoresis, laser therapy, balneological (water) procedures.

• Some patients may require surgery.

After the doctor prescribes the treatment, you should not add various folk remedies to it without prior approval. In combination with already prescribed medications and procedures, they can have a negative effect, harm.

Prevention

The ailments in question are possible for every person, but this does not mean that one should not try to avoid them. As a rule, a headache around the eyes or near them can be prevented by applying a set of preventive measures.

Most diseases that lead to the development of such symptoms are the result of an unhealthy lifestyle. By applying simple rules and slightly rearranging your daily life, you will significantly improve your well-being and prolong youth without diseases.

Current events:

• Reduce the amount of harmful substances in life. Avoiding drugs, alcohol and nicotine-containing mixtures will positively affect the entire body.
• Reducing the time spent at the computer, with the phone in hand and with other gadgets. The influence of a bright screen, even taking into account modern technologies, has an extremely negative effect on eye health.
• Decreased consumption of fast food and the transition to a healthy diet rich in vitamins. No bias towards fatty and fried foods.

• Control the amount of sweets in the daily diet.
• Regular traffic. Even with sedentary work, you need to devote 20-30 minutes to walking every day. During the working day, take breaks for a short warm-up, relieving unnecessary stress.
• Physiotherapy exercises 3-5 times a week will noticeably improve physical condition and immunity.

If, despite following all the recommendations, headaches and pressure in the eyes bother you regularly, you need to contact a specialist[4]. Only timely diagnosis will ensure quick and correct treatment and subsequent relief from the problem without complications.

References

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Gimranov Rinat Fazylzhanovich

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“Pressing pain” inside the eye: possible causes

Pressing pain in the eyes is a complaint that worries some of our patients. Attributing such sensations to general fatigue and overload, many of them do not seek help from an ophthalmologist and do not even realize that eye pain can be the first symptom of the development of a dangerous disease.

Possible causes of pressing pain in the eyes

The cause of pressing pain in the eyes can be not only eye diseases, but also pathologies of other organs and body systems. First of all, these are diseases of the central nervous system, ENT pathologies and others.

Among the most common causes of pressing pain in the eyes are:

Optic neuritis – inflammation of the optic nerve, accompanied by decreased visual acuity, blurred vision, pain in the eyes, headache, change in color perception, changes in the field of vision.

Glaucoma is an ophthalmic disease usually accompanied by an increase in intraocular pressure. This condition provokes the development of degenerative and atrophic changes in the optic nerve, which progress and lead to a gradual decrease in vision, and sometimes even its complete loss. Some forms of glaucoma may also be accompanied by symptoms such as pressing pain inside the eye, a sharp decrease in visual acuity, fog before the eyes.

Migraine – a neurological disease characterized by the appearance of recurrent headaches or pain in the eyes, lasting from 4 to 72 hours without a break. The pain is usually throbbing in nature and is accompanied by additional symptoms: nausea, vomiting, increased sensitivity to light and sounds.

Cluster headaches is a bodily condition characterized by numerous and frequent attacks of headache. Such pain occurs abruptly and lasts from 30 minutes to 3 hours. The pain can radiate (give) to various parts of the face, including the eyes. In addition, cluster pain may be accompanied by redness of the eyes, the appearance of lacrimation and swelling around the eyes.

Sinus infections can also cause headaches that radiate to the eye area. Usually the cause of pain is an inflammatory process in the nasal sinus (maxillary, frontal). Treatment is carried out by an otolaryngologist and includes the appointment of drugs to eliminate the cause of inflammation, as well as decongestants.