Do you find yourself dealing with a throbbing headache behind the eyes frequently? It can be frustrating and exhausting to go about your day with a headache.
There are many causes of headaches behind the eyes and a variety of possible treatments. This type of pain may be behind one eye, or you may experience it behind both eyes.
Along with the headaches, this type of pain can lead to eye discomfort and sensitivity to light. If you're suffering, you need headache treatment options that work.
Here's a guide to the causes and treatments of headaches behind the eyes.
What Is a Headache Behind the Eye?
A headache is considered any pain you experience in any area of your head. Many types of headaches and conditions can lead to discomfort or an aching feeling behind one or both of your eyes.
Pain in this area often leads to eye irritation and a sensitivity to light. These types of headaches are common. Understanding the cause can help you treat your headaches successfully.
Your doctor can help you identify the probable cause and how to find an effective treatment.
Causes of Headache Behind the Eyes
There are multiple causes of this type of headache. These include tension headaches, migraines, cluster headaches, and sinus headaches. Eyestrain can also lead to this type of headache pain.
Tension Headaches
Tension headaches are common. Many people experience these headaches on a daily basis. This type of headache causes dull pain across the front of the head, along both sides of the head, or behind the eyes.
Tension headaches may spread to the scalp, neck, and shoulders. These headaches typically last 20 minutes or up to several hours at a time.
Some people experience tension headaches fewer than 15 times a month (acute), and some people have them more often or even daily (chronic). Tension headaches occur more frequently in women.
Causes of tension headaches may include:
- Eyestrain
- Stress
- Fatigue
- Poor posture
- Dehydration
- Hunger
- Joint or muscle problems in your neck or jaw
- Certain smells
- Bright sunlight
- Noise
Migraines
Migraines are a common type of headache that can lead to pain behind the eyes. These headaches may begin with pain around the temple or eye area. Migraines frequently spread to the back of the head as well.
They may include an aura or visual signs of flashing lights or a halo image. These visual signs often come before a migraine begins.
Migraine sufferers are often sensitive to sound, light, or certain smells. Migraines can last from an hour to several hours and even up to days at a time.
Some causes of migraines may include:
- Stress
- Lights
- Smells
- Noise
- A lack of sleep
- Certain foods or drinks, including alcohol, MSG, or chocolate
- Hunger or missing meals
- Weather changes
Many types of headaches, including migraines, involve the trigeminal nerve, which sends sensations to the brain from your face. This nerve has three branches that cover feelings to your eyes and forehead, your lower eyelids, mid-facial area, your lower lip, gums, and jaw.
Cluster Headaches
Cluster headaches can lead to intense pain around one or both eyes. These headaches usually occur in groups. You may experience cluster headaches every day for weeks at a time. They often go away, only to reappear up to a year later.
These types of headaches typically occur around the same time each day. The most common time is around two to three hours after falling asleep.
Along with the pain, sufferers often experience congestion, watery eyes, droopy eyelids, and flushing. Cluster headaches frequently last 30 to 60 minutes. The pain is often so strong, it leads to restlessness and insomnia.
Cluster headaches aren't as common as other types of headaches. They are more common in men. Triggers can include alcohol consumption, smoking, and certain medications.
Some symptoms of cluster headaches may include:
- Swollen eyes
- Red eyes
- Red or swollen nose
- Sensitivity to light
- Sensitivity to smell
- Restlessness or agitation
- Changes in heart rate
- Changes in blood pressure
- Excessive tearing
Sinus Headaches
A sinus headache, or sinusitis, can lead to pain around the eyes, forehead, nose, cheeks, and upper teeth. These headaches surround the sinus cavity. Sufferers may experience congestion, nasal discharge, and fever.
Sinus headache symptoms tend to be persistent and worsen later in the day. Although people are frequently diagnosed with sinusitis, migraines or cluster headaches are often the true cause.
Eyestrain
If you sit behind a computer all day or drive for long periods, you may experience eyestrain. This is also referred to as digital eyestrain or computer vision syndrome.
This type of headache is becoming more common as people stare at cellphones and computer screens for hours throughout the day. Some factors that contribute to eyestrain may include:
- Reading small digital text
- A bright phone or computer screen
- Sitting too close to a digital screen
- Not blinking enough
Uncorrected vision problems, including nearsightedness and farsightedness, can also lead to eyestrain. Regular eye exams are critical to good eye health.
Some common symptoms of eyestrain include:
- Eye soreness
- Burning or itching eyes
- Blurred vision
- Watery eyes
- Sore back or shoulders
Eyestrain is irritating but is usually not serious. Resting your eyes may provide eye strain relief.
Other Conditions That Cause Pain Behind the Eyes
- Glaucoma: An eye disease that affects the optic nerve
- Scleritis: Inflammation that affects the white coating of the eyes
- Graves disease: an autoimmune condition that causes eye pain, sensitivity, and pressure
- Optic neuritis: Inflammation surrounding the optic nerve
Headache Triggers
Different types of headaches have a variety of triggers. Some common headache triggers include:
- Loud noises
- Alcohol use
- Exposure to certain smells
- Hunger
- Fatigue
- Emotional stress
- Infection
- Hormonal changes
- Lack of sleep
- Bright lights
If you're experiencing discomfort around your eyes, there are some things you can do that may help, including:
- Avoiding straining the muscles in your head and neck
- Getting a good night's sleep
- Managing your stress levels
- Avoiding excess screen time
- Stopping all use of tobacco products
- Avoiding or limiting caffeine consumption
- Exercising regularly
- Avoiding processed food
- Avoiding alcohol use
Learning to avoid what triggers your headaches can help prevent them or lessen their severity. It's important to understand how to relieve the pain once you have a headache behind your eyes. There are a variety of treatments available.
Home Remedies for Headaches Behind the Eyes
Some types of headaches require a doctor's care and medication for relief. Before you resort to taking painkillers, you may want to try some simple home remedies.
Some home remedies to try include:
- An ice pack or cold compress
- Resting in a quiet, dark room
- Dimming the lights in your home
- A heating pad
- Having a cup of tea or beverage with moderate caffeine
- Scalp massage
- Relaxation techniques, including meditation and breathing exercises
- Drinking plenty of liquids throughout the day
Some people experience headache relief with alternative therapies like acupuncture, acupressure (pressure point therapy), or biofeedback.
For tension headaches, try a warm shower or heating pad. Get plenty of rest until the headache dissipates. It's always helpful to find better ways to manage your stress levels. Relaxation techniques like yoga, meditation, or deep breathing are helpful for many people.
Try going to bed around the same time each night. Avoid skipping meals or pushing yourself too hard if you're prone to headaches. Simple lifestyle adjustments may be the first steps to eliminating or easing these types of headaches.
Spring Triggers and Migraines
Springtime brings many outdoor changes. From changing temperatures to daylight hour variations to pollen in the air, seasonal shifts can lead to migraines for some sufferers. Understanding the triggersof migraines can help prevent their onset.
Try Natural Migraine Relief
If you're seeking a natural approach to migraine relief, you may want to try MiGuard, an all-natural migraine relief supplement. For many people, a holistic approach to migraine prevention allows them to break free of conventional pain medications and experience true relief.
Miguard may provide headache relief for migraine sufferers. The all-natural ingredients of magnesium, ginger, alpha-lipoid acid, vitamin B2, feverfew, and coenzyme Q10 offer a natural approach to migraine prevention.
There are ways to incorporate MiGuard into your wellness routine that may help prevent or lessen the frequency of migraines. Here are a few migraine prevention tips for including a MiGuard supplement in your daily routine.
- Drinking plenty of water to stay hydrated
- Taking your MiGuard supplement at the same time each day
- Eating a balanced diet for better health and wellness
- Knowing and monitoring migraine triggers
- Reducing the stress in your life
MiGuard provides a holistic solution that may help some individuals remain headache-free. If your headaches or migraines are persistent and natural remedies do not help, consult your doctor.
There are many treatments available that can reduce or prevent your symptoms and headache episodes.
Medications for Headaches Behind the Eye
Although many people benefit from natural headache treatment options, others will require medication. The first step is often acetaminophen or NSAIDS like ibuprofen or naproxen. Taking too many NSAIDS or taking them too frequently can trigger headaches.
For tension headaches, doctors often prescribe prescription pain relievers and muscle relaxants. Some pain medications are addictive, so it's important to follow your doctor's recommendations for use. Certain antidepressants can help relieve headache pain as well.
For some people with intense migraines, prescription drugs are the only solution. Common triptans doctors prescribe for migraine relief include:
- Axert
- Maxalt
- Relpax
- Imitrex
- Zomig
These medications may take up to two hours to provide migraine relief. If you get migraines often, your doctor may prescribe medications to prevent migraine attacks. Some of these remedies include:
- Anti-seizure medication
- Blood pressure medication
- Beta-blockers
- Gepant drugs
- Monoclonal antibodies
- Botox
- Hormonal birth control
Breathing pure oxygen provides relief for cluster headaches for some sufferers. Lidocaine nose drops or inhaled taipans are other possible remedies. Some people use medications like verapamil or prednisone to prevent attacks.
Sinus headache symptoms can be a result of an infection. Antibiotics and decongestants can be helpful to clear up the infection and eliminate sinus pain. If you have a sinus infection, breathing in warm, moist air from a pot of boiling water or vaporizer can be helpful. Use warm compresses around the eyes and nose.
If you're experiencing frequent eye strain, take breaks from your phone or computer. Blink often. Try using artificial tears to soothe and refresh your eyes.
You should see an eye doctor once a year to update your prescription if you wear glasses or contacts. Ask your eye doctor about exercises you can do to strengthen your eye muscles.
Waking Up With a Morning Headache
Waking up with a headache behind the eyes is a terrible way to start the day. Some common causes of a morning headache include:
Hangover
Drinking too much alcohol often leads to a hangover the next morning. As your blood alcohol levels return to normal, you may begin to feel hangover symptoms, including headaches.
Migraine
Migraines are most common early in the morning. For many people, as their medication wears off from the night before, a migraine can surface again.
Migraines are different for everyone. If you get migraines that interfere with your quality of life, a natural remedy like MiGuard may be a good option for prevention.
Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea can be a serious health problem that disturbs your sleep and interrupts your breathing. If you think you have this condition, you may need a sleep study and certain lifestyle changes to help you get a good night's sleep.
Preventing a Headache Behind the Eyes
Millions of people deal with mild to debilitating headaches each day. There are a variety of causes of a headache behind the eyes. Luckily, there are many natural and medical headache treatment options.
At MiGuard, we understand the havoc and exhaustion that migraines can bring to your life. We're committed to providing safe and natural solutions to eliminate migraines and other headache disorders.
If headaches are affecting your quality of life, MiGuard may be right for you. Take a moment to view our science-backed supplements that could end your headache pain.