Cool eyes: Say goodbye to that headache behind your eyes with ice therapy

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Cool eyes: Say goodbye to that headache behind your eyes with ice therapy

Through the centuries, many celebrated poets, writers and balladeers have, in various artistic ways, paid tribute to what lies behind one’s eyes. Behind those eyes, they say, lie one’s soul, one’s story, or one’s dreams.

It all sounds lofty and romantic, but to those who may be suffering from migraines or tension headaches, the story is quite simple: what lies behind those eyes is excruciating headache pain.

What’s the story with headache pain behind those eyes?

What causes headache pain behind the eyes? If we are to get technical, that pain behind your eyes falls simply under headache. This is because a headache is defined as pain felt in any region in the head. This area can range from the temples, to the forehead, to the nape or even behind the eyes. 

Several types of headaches can cause pain behind the eyes. Here are some of them:

Types of headaches that cause pain behind the eyes

Tension headaches

Tension headaches are the most common types when it comes to headaches. They are found to be more common in women, though anyone is susceptible to this kind of headache. Tension headaches can occur up to twice per month and are often considered to be episodic, meaning they happen in stages or episodes. 

When you are experiencing tension headaches, you may feel pressure or a tightening feeling around the forehead. Pain in the eyes may follow. Symptoms associated with tension headaches include scalp tenderness, neck and forehead pain and dull head pain.

Cluster headaches

Just as its name suggests, cluster headaches are a series of three or four short headaches. Although they only last between 15 minutes to one hour, they can be painful headaches nonetheless. Cluster headaches are considered to be rarer than tension headaches. The painful sensation here is usually located behind just one eye. Other symptoms of cluster headaches include swollen, red eyes and excessive tearing.

Migraines

If you are part of the unfortunate 12 percent in the world that suffer from migraines, there’s a chance you could be feeling that painful sensation or headache behind the eyes. Lasting up to 72 hours, a migraine is considered a periodic headache that can produce severe pain often on one side of the head and, at times, behind the eye.

Other known symptoms of migraine include vomiting, nausea, impaired vision and sensitivity to light, smells and sounds.

Sinusitis

Sinusitis occurs when there is an infection in the sinuses, and inflammation or congestion of tissues that line up the sinuses occur. As a response to the congestion and inflammation, this can cause a pain similar to headache. The congestion is normally accompanied by pressure that is felt across the forehead, upper cheeks, and behind the eye.  Other symptoms of sinusitis include fatigue, feeling pain that worsens when you lie down, upper teeth pain and stuffy nose.

Eyestrain

Sometimes, that headache pain behind your eyes is caused by working the eyes too much. Doing things such as staring at a screen, be it a monitor or a smartphone, for a long period of time or extended road driving can induce pain behind the eyes. 

Other eyestrain symptoms can include watery eyes, blurred vision, itching and burning eyes and sore shoulders or back. 

Although eyestrain isn’t really serious or life-threatening, they usually go away when you give your eyes proper rest. 

How do I treat that headache behind my eyes?

There are plenty of common over-the-counter painkillers like aspirin and Advil (ibuprofen) that can treat headaches. However, one must be aware of rebound headaches that occur when your body becomes accustomed to medication, and the headaches return once more when the medicine wears off. 

This is why many migraine sufferers turn to natural, drug-free ways to manage migraine pain.

One such method or home remedy that is quite popular is the use of temperature therapy, or ice packs.

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