ARE YOUR EYES TO BLAME?

Headaches are one of the most common symptoms with which patients present to doctors. The multi million dollars over the counter headache remedies is proof of that. Headaches may be the forerunners for a variety of ailments, and hence anyone suffering from a constant headache should consult an eye specialist. Most people believe that eyestrain and the need for glasses are very common causes of headache. However, this is not true: need for glasses is not the commonest cause for headache.

What are the types of Headaches?

Almost all headaches can be divided into the following groups:

1. Muscle contraction headaches.

2. Migraine

3. Diseases of the head, eyes, ears, teeth etc.

MUSCLE CONTRACTION HEADACHES:

Muscle contraction headaches are by far the most frequent type. The pain results from pulling of the muscles in the neck and at the base of the head. The pain is not felt locally but referred to areas such as the forehead or temples or eye sockets. Muscle contraction can result from daily stresses at home or at work. It may occur from sleeping or working long hours in unusual positions or prolonged close work. Mostly this headache is relieved with a painkiller.

Headaches caused by eyestrain feel like muscle contraction headaches but are clearly related to the eyes. Almost all headaches are made worse by excessive use of eyes, but those which are caused by eyestrain appear only when the eyes have been used heavily.

MIGRAINE HEADACHES:

One of the most painful headaches known to mankind. The prevalence of headache increases rapidly in the first and second decades of life, and then remains steady till the fourth or fifth decades of life, and then slowly declines with age. This type of headache is caused by dilatation of the blood vessel walls in the head. Migraine headaches usually run in families and usually affect about one person in ten. Even young children may have migraine headaches.

Migraine is difficult for persons to understand because it causes different symptoms in different people. In some it may cause several very brief severe headaches which may occur close to together. In others a visual display of jagged lines may be followed by a severe headache.

However there are some common features of migraine headache. The pain tends not to be continuous, is often accompanied by nausea and vomiting and is often not accompanied by serious complications. Migraine may occur with a sudden increase or decrease in stress level.

EYE DISEASE:

Headaches caused by eye disease are usually felt in the eye or in the brow on the side where the disease occurs. They are frequently associated with blurred vision, haloes around lights and extreme sensitivity to light. Ocular symptoms are directly due to increased muscular work and the ensuing discomfort is due to the muscular fatigue. After long periods of close work, the eyes feel hot, tired and uncomfortable.

Temporary relief is obtained by resting or rubbing them. However if the work is continued, the discomfort gives way to actual strain may develop into pain. Usually the pain is mild and aching but, occasionally may be severe and acute and may give rise to intolerable headaches.

With the advent of computers and their continuous use in daily work, headaches related to eyestrain are becoming more and more common. The constant glare of the monitor combined with the lack of blinking during computer work aggravates the headache.

OTHER DISEASES:

Headaches caused by diseases of the ear, teeth, jaw or facial nerves are different than usual headaches. This difference helps to determine the cause. Headaches can also be caused by high B.P.

Headaches caused by brain tumors are fortunately quite uncommon. It may appear quite suddenly and are increasingly severe over several weeks or months. Mostly these headaches tend to become worse with the passage of time.

Because headache is such a common problem a thorough medical examination is advisable for any chronic or recurring headaches.

If eye disease is present your ophthalmologist will be able to diagnose and treat the problem.

Headache treatment is naturally determined by its cause. If a serious medical disease is found it needs to be treated medically (or surgically).

If depression or anxiety is the cause referral maybe made to the patients family physician or to a psychiatrist.

If migraine or tension is responsible, accurate diagnosis and reassurance and a physicians help for medications may be required.

treatment

Because headache is such a common problem a thorough medical examination is advisable for any chronic or recurring headaches.

If eye disease is present your ophthalmologist will be able to diagnose and treat the problem.

Headache treatment is naturally determined by its cause. If a serious medical disease is found it needs to be treated medically (or surgically).

If depression or anxiety is the cause referral maybe made to the patients family physician or to a psychiatrist.

If migraine or tension is responsible, accurate diagnosis and reassurance and a physicians help for medications may be required.