• IS YOUR EYE HEALTH CAUSING CHRONIC HEADACHES?

    Dealing with chronic headaches on a regular basis can be exhausting, especially if you have problems finding a solution that offers pain relief. Headaches are quite common, and it is estimated that over 45 million people in the United States suffer from chronic, recurring headaches.

    While you may think chronic headaches occur due to stress, lack of sleep, or eye strain, they may be caused by underlying problems with your vision. If you experience chronic headaches that are not relieved through rest, you may want to make an appointment with your eye doctor for an evaluation.

    DIFFERENT TYPES OF HEADACHES

    Some individuals may experience headaches that are dull and endless, while other people describe their headaches as feeling sharp, and causing stabbing pain. The pain generated by your headache may originate on your forehead, the back of your head, or on your temples. In addition to a headache, you may also experience associated symptoms such as sensitivity to light and nausea.

    In order to find an effective solution, you must first identify the cause of your headaches. During your appointment with your eye doctor, he or she will ask questions about the level of pain and discomfort you’re experiencing. These questions are designed to get to the root of the problem so you can find relief from the pain.

    HEADACHE CLASSIFICATIONS

    There are generally two classifications of headaches: primary headaches and secondary headaches. When a person suffers from a primary headache, it means that the headache has most likely surfaced without an explainable underlying health condition. Primary headaches might be caused by the muscular structure of the neck and head, the hormones or chemicals within the body, or nerve irritation. If you suffer from migraines or tension headaches, they will fall within this category.

    Secondary headaches are associated with a specific underlying reason, such as eye diseases, sinus problems, or tumors. If you have an eye condition that is causing headaches, then your headaches may be classified as secondary headaches.

    COMMON CAUSES OF HEADACHES

    Eye doctors have identified common causes of headaches related to eyes and vision. One of the most common causes of headaches is eye strain, especially for people who spend a lot of time in front of the screen. If you work on the computer throughout the day, or spend a lot of time watching television, then it’s possible you could be suffering from headaches caused by eye strain.

    If you don’t spend lots of time in front of a screen, it’s possible your headaches are being caused due to having weak eyes. If you suffer from vision loss and aren’t wearing corrective lenses, eye strain might cause you to develop headaches.

    Another common cause of headaches is glaucoma, which can often develop due to intraocular pressure. Glaucoma can eventually lead to vision loss and blindness when left untreated, so it’s important to talk to an eye doctor as soon as possible to learn more about treatments that can slow or halt the progression of glaucoma.

    Do you suspect that your headaches are being caused by vision problems? Call Silverstein Eye Centers today to make an appointment for an eye exam.

    Posted May 26, 2015 by Silverstein Eye Centers
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