Headaches can range from mild to severe and can occur due to several reasons. The location of a headache can provide important clues about its underlying cause and help in diagnosing the condition. Different types of headaches tend to manifest in specific areas of the head, and understanding the location can guide healthcare professionals in their evaluation and treatment.
Speaking with the OnlyMyHealth team, Dr Rajnish Kumar, Senior Consultant and HOD-Neurology, Paras Health, Gurugram, discusses the different types of headaches and what type of headache causes pain behind the eye.
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Types Of Headache
Worldwide, half to three quarters of adults aged between 18 to 65 years have had headaches in the last year and, among those individuals, 30% or more have reported migraine, says the World Health Organization (WHO), adding, “Headache on 15 or more days every month affects 1.7–4% of the world’s adult population.”
According to Dr Kumar, headache itself is not a problem; it is an indicator of another problem occurring in the body. The different types of headache include
Migraine: As per a review published in the Journal Frontiers Neurology, migraine is one of the most common neurological diseases worldwide, with the global prevalence of more than 100 crore cases in 2019. This headache begins with extreme pain around the eyes and temple region. A migraine headache accompanies stress, anxiety, poor posture and diet, nausea, weakness, hormonal changes. Some common migraine triggers include fatigue, stress, lack of sleep or oversleeping, loud noises, strong smells, changing weather, skipping meals and bright lights.
Cluster: This headache occurs in cycles and groups. It can cause severe pain around the eyes. Along with pain, cluster headache accompanies watery eyes, congestion, swollen eyes, and redness. Cluster headache attacks can last for about 30-60 minutes. These headaches most commonly occur in men. A study published in the Annals of Indian Academy of Neurology, cluster headache is a primary headache disorder, which although rare, affecting only 0.1% of world population, is one of the most painful conditions known to humankind.
Sinus: Sinuses are air-filled spaces in the skull located behind the nose, cheeks, forehead, and eyes. Sinusitis (sinus infection) can cause severe pain and headache behind the eyes. This type of headache occurs most commonly during the allergy seasons or the times when the allergies flare-up.
Tension: Tension headaches are the most common type of headaches experienced by people. These are more common in women. It can be caused due to stress and muscle tension. Tension headache causes pain behind the eyes and can create a feeling of pressure around the forehead. This pain may be dull and can extend to the neck.
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What Pain Behind Your Eye Means
Dr Kumar says, “Headache behind the eyes can be a result of various issues including eye strain, migraine, tension, or sinus. It can cause pain and discomfort in one or both eyes. This occurs with various other symptoms, such as sensitivity to light, irritable mood, nausea, dizziness, weakness and many more.”
According to the doctor, almost everyone experiences some kind of headache occasionally due to different causes depending on the triggers including stress, lack of sleep or oversleeping, bright lights, loud noise, changing weather, strong smells, overworking and many more.
How To Prevent Headaches
Headache behind the eyes can be prevented by taking necessary precautionary measures. These measures include:
- Avoid caffeine, alcohol, drugs
- Quit smoking
- Regular physical exercise
- Avoid processed food
- Regular breaks from screen while working
“Headaches can be treated by simple home remedies such as using an ice pack or heating pad, proper rest, stress relieving and relaxing techniques, sound sleep, staying hydrated, and regular healthy meals. In some cases, people may also need medication to get relief from severe pain and headaches,” the doctor concludes.