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Free Laser Vision Screening
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Most people know headaches are not usually serious, and are often caused by tension. They also believe that many headaches are caused by improper eyeglasses causing eyestrain. This is not true; eyestrain and vision problems are not major causes of headaches. Almost all headaches can be divided into the following groups:
Muscle contraction headaches are by far the most common type. The pain comes from the tension of muscles in the neck and at the base of the head. The pain is usually not felt in the place where the muscles are contracting. Instead, the pain is felt in areas such as the forehead, temples or around the eye. This can lead to a false sense of where the pain is coming from, since the pain is located in the head, or even in the eyes. However, the trouble usually originates in the neck muscles. Muscle contraction headaches can result from temporary increases in stress in everyday life, such as stress at work or at home. They may be a result of sleeping or working in a strange position, or a long period of close-up work. Headache from muscle contractions is usually temporary and is often relieved by a simple over-the-counter pain reliever, such as asprin or acetaminophen. Some muscle contraction headaches occur because of arthritis (inflammation of the joints) of the bones of the neck. Others may result from depression, or a chronic state of high tension or anxiety. Migraine headaches are the next most common cause of headache. Migraine headaches are caused by spasm of the blood vessels in the head. About one person in ten suffers from migraine headaches. Some people seem to have a predisposition to have migraine headaches, and migraine headaches can run in families. Even young children may have migraine headaches. An early warning sign of migraine headaches may be a propensity for car-sickness. Migraine can produce different symptoms in different people. Migraine can cause:
However, there are some common features of migraine headache:
Migraine may occur with a sudden increase or decrease in stress level. For example, a person entertaining an unwelcome guest, or a hardworking executive who begins an overdue vacation, may experience a migraine. Diseases are the least common cause of headache. Headaches caused by eye disease are usually felt in the eye or in the eyebrow on the side where the disease occurs. These headaches are often associated with some other symptom, such as:
Headaches may also be caused by high blood pressure. A blood pressure measurement is helpful in evaluating any lasting or recurring headache. However, there are many people with high blood pressure who do not have headaches. Headache caused by brain tumor or disease is rare, and the pain may have several unique characteristics:
Such headaches tend to become dramatically worse with the passage of time. How is the cause of a headache diagnosed?Because headache is such a common problem, a thorough medical examination by your family physician is advisable for any chronic or recurring headache. An eye exam may be helpful in some cases. You can help your physician determine whether your headache is a symptom of disease by describing your symptoms, noting when the headaches occur and providing a complete medical history, including any family history of recurring headaches. How are headaches treated?Headache treatment depends on its cause. If serious medical disease is found, it needs to be treated. If depression or anxiety is the cause, a referral may be made to a family physician or psychiatrist. If migraine or tension is responsible, an accurate diagnosis can be reassuring, and your physician's suggestions for medication, self-help and assistance are the best solutions. If your physician determines that your headache is not a symptom of a disease, what you tell your physician about your headaches can help your physician design a treatment program that is right for you. Are headaches ever caused by eyestrain?Almost all headaches are made worse by lengthy use of the eyes, but those that are caused by eyestrain appear only when you have used your eyes for a long period of time. Because headaches often produce symptoms which suggest that the eyes are at fault, many
people who suffer from chronic headaches feel the need to have their eyes examined. Your
ophthalmologist can be of help in diagnosing the cause of headache, even though headaches
are infrequently caused by eye disease or the need for glasses. If eye disease is present, your ophthalmologist will be able to diagnose and treat the problem. If there is an indication of an unusual medical cause for the headache, further testing or referral to another medical specialist may be advisable. |
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