What Causes Headaches Behind the Eyes?
Studies show that around 16% of the population in the United States suffers from regular headaches, making them highly prevalent ailments. Tension headaches are the most frequently reported types of headaches. They typically cause discomfort behind your eyes on one or both sides of your head, and from your neck down to your shoulders. Hunger, dehydration, poor posture, fatigue, and prolonged screen time contribute to these headaches.
In this article, you’ll find information on the different headaches affecting the area behind the eyes, including the typical duration of attacks, other symptoms, and some possible cures.
Migraine Headaches
Pain on one side of the head, or even behind one eye, is a common symptom of a migraine. 72 hours of suffering can often happen. Migraines, sinusitis, and eyestrain are just a few of the many potential causes of pain in the area behind the eyes. You may need a medical professional to diagnose and treat a headache that originates in that area of the brain.
Other symptoms that can accompany a migraine are:
- Upset stomach or vomiting
- Sensitivity to loud noises, bright, or flashing lights
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Moodiness
What Causes Migraines?
Migraine headaches frequently have external causes. For people who suffer from migraines, here are some common causes:
- Sleep deprivation
- Poor posture
- External stimuli including odors, noise, and strobing lights
- Dehydration
- Overindulging in stimulants like caffeine or alcohol
- Tense feelings like worry or fear
- Eye strain
Excess Strain on the Eyes
When your vision gets blurry after a couple of hours on the computer, or you’re seeing double, you’re developing symptoms affecting the eyes because of staring at a computer screen for too long.
Besides experiencing pain in one or both eyes, those who stare at screens for extended periods may also suffer from:
- Aches in the neck and shoulders
- Vision impairments
- Dry Eyes
- Headaches
Computer-related eye strain symptoms are rising rapidly, and those who have them for an extended period may need medical attention. After staring at a screen for long periods of time, a person may feel pain behind their eyes. By taking a break, the pain may go away.
Causes of Eye Strain
Eye strain is a common side effect of working in front of a computer or other electronic device for extended periods, especially when the user must constantly focus and refocus on the screen. Eye strain can also happen when you’re overly fatigued or working in a poorly lit area.
What is Sinusitis?
Simply put, sinusitis is an infection, congestion, or inflammation of the sinuses. Any one of these might lead to pressure and pain behind the eyes. Sinusitis can produce pain behind one or both eyes, depending on where the inflammation is. Pain and pressure in the cheekbones and forehead are common side effects of sinusitis.
When you have sinusitis, you may also experience the following symptoms:
- Congestion or blocked sinuses
- A dull ache in your upper teeth or gums
- Fatigue
- Discomfort that increases when you lie down
Although the discomfort of sinusitis seems like it will never go away, it usually disappears as the congestion does. A time frame of two to three weeks is typical for this. Antibiotics will be prescribed if it’s an infection.
What Causes Sinusitis?
Allergic reactions to pollen, dust, mold, or viruses that become stuck in the sinuses because of congestion are common causes of sinusitis. Headaches and pressure on the face are the most common symptoms. It’s possible that bacteria or fungi could cause sinusitis, but this is more common in people with a weakened immune system, like those who are HIV positive.
Nasal polyps and dental work can also bring on sinus pain and pressure.
What are Cluster Headaches?
Cluster headaches are typically between one and eight short but severe headaches in a 24-hour period.
When these headaches strike, it’s usually on one side of the head and feels like you’ve just taken a punch from Mike Tyson. Sharp or dull throbbing pain can develop behind one eye, although some people experience the pain switching from eye to eye.
While experiencing headaches, it’s common for other symptoms to manifest. Examples of these symptoms include:
- Redness or flushing of the face
- Excessive sweating
- Congested or runny nasal passages
Cluster headaches can strike at any time, depending on the individual. However, nighttime episodes are common.
The Causes of Cluster Headaches
Although cluster headaches are not uncommon, little research has been done on their triggers. But we do know that cluster headaches affect men more than women. There also may be a hereditary component at work, making some people more vulnerable than others.
Migraines brought on by Tension or Stress
Most headaches are tension headaches, and women are more likely than men to suffer from them. Tension headache pain may be dull, start in the forehead, and radiate down the back of the neck. Some sufferers experience tenderness in the scalp.
One in ten people suffers from tension, or stress, headaches monthly, while some experience them more frequently. When they last for three months or more, medical professionals will consider them chronic.
Pressure and pain characterize a tension headache behind both eyes. The duration of these episodes varies from 30 minutes to several hours, and they can happen at any time. Tension headache symptoms might linger for days in extreme circumstances.
The Causes of Tension Headaches
There are several causes of tension headaches, such as:
- Working at your computer for extended periods
- Taking long drives
- Tenseness in the head and neck muscles
- Sleep deprivation
- Stress
The Cure for Headaches that originate in the Temples
Although over the counter (OTC) pain relievers are usually sufficient for mild-to-moderate headache discomfort, in extreme cases a doctor’s prescription may be required.
If you suffer from migraines regularly, your doctor may recommend that you take a preventative drug, such as an antidepressant, an antiseizure prescription, or even a birth control pill. Resting in complete darkness may help those suffering from migraines. A wet towel placed over the eyes may also be soothing.
Doctors can treat extreme tension headaches temporarily by using muscle-relaxing medication.
Antibiotics prescribed by doctors are the typical treatment for sinusitis-related headaches. However, whether sinusitis results from an allergy or a viral illness, nasal decongestant sprays are a suitable option.
Most of the time, the 20-20-20 rule can help people reduce eye strain caused by staring at a computer screen for too long. The 20-20-20 rule recommends taking a 20-second break every 20 minutes from looking at a screen.
In the break, a person focuses on a distant object at least 20 feet away to relax the eye muscles. Some people get good results by closing their eyes for 20 seconds. The important thing is to switch your focus every 20 minutes.
Home Treatments for Tension Headaches
For some people, migraines may be prevented by avoiding the following potential triggers:
- Fatigue
- Alcohol consumption
- Prolonged hunger
- Loud Sounds
- Intense Smells and Odors
- Excess stress
- Bright or flashing lights
- Sleep deprivation
The following tips may ease the pain behind your eyes caused by tension headaches:
- Keep your head and neck from being too tense.
- Avoid prolonged stressful situations.
- Ensure that you’re getting enough sleep.
- Limit your time in front of computer screens.
If you experience sinusitis or a headache behind your eyes, consider doing the following:
- Stop smoking.
- Regular exercise.
- Stop eating processed foods.
- Cut back on or give up caffeine.
- Refraining from alcoholic beverages.
When Should You Visit a Doctor?
Regular sufferers of tension headaches, particularly behind the eyes, should consult a physician before they reach extreme pain. An eye exam or a non-over-the-counter prescription may be suggested to ease discomfort.
Changing your work routine or habits may influence the severity of your headaches. Exercise, deep breathing, yoga, and massage have shown positive results.
In Conclusion
A headache behind the eyes can be excruciatingly painful and can be triggered by many situations.
Many factors are involved in the cause of these painful experiences. The first step toward treatment is pinpointing the underlying medical conditions causing them.
Some people have found that avoiding alcohol, caffeine, and tobacco products, as well as making other alterations to their lifestyle, has helped.
A medical professional can determine the root cause and offer treatment options, such as medication, to ease the symptoms.
