What kind of headache hurts behind your eyes

Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; chap Hoffmann J, May A. Diagnosis, pathophysiology, and management of cluster headache. Lancet Neurol.

PMID: www. Rozental JM. Tension-type headache, chronic tension-type headache, and other chronic headache types. Essentials of Pain Medicine. Editorial team.

Cluster headache. Cluster headaches may be triggered by: Alcohol and cigarette smoking High altitudes trekking and air travel Bright light including sunlight Exertion physical activity Heat hot weather or hot baths Foods high in nitrites bacon and preserved meats Certain medicines Cocaine. Cluster headache pain is usually: Burning, sharp, stabbing, or steady Felt on one side of the face from neck to temple, often involving the eye At its worst within 5 to 10 minutes, with the strongest pain lasting 30 minutes to 2 hours When the eye and nose on the same side as the head pain are affected, symptoms can include: Swelling under or around the eye may affect both eyes Excessive tearing Red eye Droopy eyelid Runny nose or stuffy nose on the same side as the head pain Red, flushed face, with extreme sweating.

Exams and Tests. Anti-inflammatory steroid medicines such as prednisone. Starting with a high dose, then slowly decreasing it over 2 to 3 weeks. Injections of dihydroergotamine DHE , which can stop cluster attacks within 5 minutes Warning: this drug can be dangerous if taken with sumatriptan.

When you get a headache, write down the following: Day and time the pain began What you ate and drank over the past 24 hours How much you slept What you were doing and where you were right before the pain started How long the headache lasted and what made it stop Review your diary with your provider to identify triggers or a pattern to your headaches.

The following medicines may also be used to treat or prevent headache symptoms: Allergy medicines Antidepressants Blood pressure medicines Seizure medicine. Outlook Prognosis. When to Contact a Medical Professional. Mark W. In fact, it rarely is. Migraine headache is the most common type of disabling headache. It is a periodic headache that lasts up to 72 hours and often produces severe, throbbing pain on one side of the head and behind the eye.

Migraine headaches also can spread to the back of the head. Other classic symptoms of migraines include nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to light, smells and sounds. They feel different, but are still part of the spectrum of migraine. Visual disturbances like flashing lights or halos around light sources that are known as migraine aura may precede the headache pain.

However, the majority of migraine sufferers do not experience migraine aura. There are many migraine triggers. These include fatigue, emotional stress, lack of sleep or oversleeping, skipping meals, bright or flickering lights, strong smells, loud noises, certain foods and changes in heat and humidity.

While headaches of any type are common, knowing the cause can help you treat it at home. It can also help your doctor make an accurate diagnosis in order to administer the most effective treatment. Tension headaches are the most common form of headache.

Tension headaches are often considered to be episodic and can occur one to two times per month. However, they can become chronic and occur 15 days every month for three months or longer. Tension headaches are described as causing a tightening feeling or pressure around the forehead. Pain behind the eyes can also occur. Other symptoms associated with this form of headache include:. Cluster headaches are a series of three or four short but painful headaches.

Cluster headaches can last as short as 15 minutes to over an hour. Other symptoms you may experience with cluster headaches include:. Migraines are described as pressure or pain behind the eyes. Migraine pain can become so severe that it may affect your quality of life.

Eyestrain from staring at a television or computer screen — or even undiagnosed nearsightedness — can overstimulate the brain. It does not usually cause symptoms unless it ruptures. In this case, a potentially life threatening hemorrhage can result. A person may develop a thunderclap headache, which involves sudden, severe pain.

They may feel as if they have been hit hard on the head, and they may also have weakness on one side of the body. Here, learn more about brain aneurysms. If a person has a headache that is severe or persistent or if the pain occurs with any other symptoms, they should receive medical advice. Anyone with a severe, sudden headache should receive emergency care, as this may be a sign of a stroke or aneurysm. Tablets, cool packs, and other headache remedies are available for purchase online.

A headache on the left side may result from migraine, vasculitis, cluster headaches, or other types. Often, a person can treat a headache at home with over-the-counter remedies and rest. However, if headaches are severe, persistent, or otherwise concerning, contact a healthcare professional.

Anyone with a sudden, severe headache and weakness on one side of the body or confusion requires emergency care. Learn about some different primary and secondary headaches, including their causes and triggers. For each, we also examine the available treatment…. A person can experience a headache in many areas of their head, including the right side. Causes may include migraines or cluster headaches, but there…. Tension headaches are the most common type of headache. They can cause a pressing or tightening pain and sometimes nausea and sensitivity to light or….

A look at sinus headache, a condition where the area around the nose becomes painful. Included is detail on home remedies and the potential causes.

Experts classify headaches by the type, location, and frequency of pain, as well as by the various causes. Learn more and find a helpful chart here.