Pressure And Pain Behind Eyes
Headaches are probably the most common reason for pain behind eyes. In cluster headaches, there may be pain behind right eye, left, or even both. Not surprisingly, the affected eye is often red, swollen, or tearing and accompanied by searing or piercing pain from behind it.
A true sinus headache we say true because many supposed sinus headaches are actually migraines is caused by obstructions, including seasonal allergies, that prevent the sinuses from draining. Mucus builds up inside the sinus, creating an inviting environment for bacteria and viruses. As the sinus swells, it puts direct pressure on the eye in front of it.
Pain on one side of the face and in one eye is also a hallmark of a migraine. Migraines are particularly debilitating because they can cause auras painful visual flashes and other disturbances as well as pain behind the eye and extreme light sensitivity. Many sufferers become nauseous for reasons not fully understood, vomiting often relieves head and eye pain.
Eyestrain can also cause pain behind the eyes. Undiagnosedmyopia forces the brain to compensate, leading to strained and pained eyes. Staring at a computer screen or TV for hours can overstimulate the brain and cause pain to the eyes.
How Do You Diagnose The Type Of Headache
If you often experience pain behind your eyes, you should seek medical advice from your doctor. There are no specific tests to determine which kind of headache you have. Instead, your doctor will diagnose you based on the pains placement, severity, and possible causes. They may also run tests to check for underlying conditions.
To diagnose your headaches, your doctor will look for a pattern. They will ask you questions about your symptoms and try to match them with migraines, tension headaches, cluster headaches, or sinus headaches. They will also conduct a physical exam to check your vision, coordination, senses, and reflexes.
If your primary care doctor does not feel they can offer a precise diagnosis, they may refer you to a neurologist.
Sinus Pressure Points On The Back Of The Head And Neck
There are areas around the neck and base of the skull that present an opportunity to relieve sinus pressure. The pressure points in these areas are located in delicate, cavity-like areas where the neck and skull adjoin. There are two such points.
One of them is the specific point where the neck meets the skull. It is right in the middle of the neck/head, near the base of your hairline.
To find it, place your finger at your hairline and move it either up or down until you find the cavity. By squeezing the point with your thumb for about five minutes, it may help clear sinus pressure.
The other area is found on the neck close to the base of the skull. The points are located at the highest point of the neck, just below the base of the skull.
To find it, place both of your thumbs at the top of your neck point and slowly separate them until you feel the cavities . Access the point by pressing slightly in and up and holding for about five minutes.
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Graves Disease And Eye Pressure
Graves disease is when an overactive thyroid gland makes the tissues, muscles, and fat behind your eyes swell. Not only can it cause pressure, but it can make your eye bulge from the socket and prevent it from moving. A visit to the doctor is strongly recommended if you are experiencing these symptoms.
Damage To The Optic Nerve
Optic neuritis, or swelling in the optic nerve, has several causes and can lead to long-term damage and vision loss if not treated.
Autoimmune disorders like lupus, neuromyelitis optica, or multiple sclerosis can lead to the deterioration of the bodys nervous system, including the optic nerve. Other causes of optic neuritis include infections, ocular herpes, sinusitis, nutritional deficiency, and neurological disorders.
Symptoms:
- Vision loss in one eye
- Flashing lights
Proper diagnosis is essential for proper treatment of optic neuritis. Common tests to determine the condition and severity include a routine eye exam, ophthalmoscopy, and pupillary light reaction test. In some cases, your doctor might also recommend a magnetic resonance imaging scan, blood tests, optical coherence tomography , or a visual evoked response.
Treatment
In many cases, optic neuritis will improve on its own. In some cases, steroid therapy may be recommended to reduce swelling in the optic nerve. Other treatments are specific to the underlying condition that is causing the attack of the optic nerve. In rare cases, when steroid therapy fails, and severe vision loss continues, plasma exchange therapy might be recommended to help recover some of the vision lost.
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When Sinus Headaches Are More Than What They Seem
Human sight is possible because of an incredibly complex system of interacting parts working together to form one of our most remarkable senses. Sometimes, however, certain parts of this intricate system can become out of balance, causing a shift in the alignment of the eyes that results in strained eye muscles. When this happens, certain symptoms can appear, such as blurred or double vision, headaches and dizziness just to name a few. Sometimes people with headache symptoms mistakenly believe they have sinus headaches, when what they really have is a binocular vision problem.
Sinus Pressure Points On The Ear
You may be able to relieve sinus pressure by pressing on the ear gate, which is found on top of the ear, just in front of the lobe. Use your thumb and index finger to press and hold the point for about five minutes.
Another pressure point sits at the bottom of the ear, behind the ear lobe. This is called the windscreen. Hold for three to five minutes on both sides of the ear. It may offer you relief from both sinus pain and ear pain.
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Check If You Have Sinusitis
Sinusitis is common after a cold or flu.
Symptoms of sinusitis include:
- pain, swelling and tenderness around your cheeks, eyes or forehead
- a blocked nose
- a reduced sense of smell
- green or yellow mucus from your nose
- a sinus headache
- toothache
- bad breath
Signs of sinusitis in young children may also include irritability, difficulty feeding, and breathing through their mouth.
The sinuses are small, empty spaces behind your cheekbones and forehead that connect to the inside of the nose.
Sinusitis causes the lining of the sinuses to swell up.
This stops mucus draining into your nose and throat properly, making you feel blocked up.
Pain Behind The Eyes: Causes And Home Remedies
Pain behind the eyes can be quite discomforting and sometimes impair your ability to see because it is so severe you may only want to keep your eyes closed. There are many causes for pain behind the eyes, ranging in severity. Knowing what is causing your pain behind the eyes can help you obtain relief from the discomfort and feel like yourself again.
Here we will outline the common causes for pain behind the eyes along with home remedies you can try for pain relief.
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Treatment For Sinusitis From A Gp
If you have sinusitis, a GP may be able to recommend other medicines to help with your symptoms, such as:
- steroid nasal sprays or drops â to reduce the swelling in your sinuses
- antihistamines â if an allergy is causing your symptoms
- antibiotics â if a bacterial infection is causing your symptoms and you’re very unwell or at risk of complications
You might need to take steroid nasal sprays or drops for a few months. They sometimes cause irritation, sore throats or nosebleeds.
A GP may refer you to an ear, nose and throat specialist if, for example, you:
- still have sinusitis after 3 months of treatment
- keep getting sinusitis
- only have symptoms on 1 side of your face
They may also recommend surgery in some cases.
How Is Sharp Pain Behind Eye Treated
Simply as causes can vary, so do treatments. They target the specific cause of eye pain.
Conjunctivitis: Antibacterial eyedrops can treat bacterial conjunctivitis. Antihistamines in the form of eyedrops, a tablet, or a syrup can enhance conjunctivitis from allergic reactions.
Corneal abrasions: These heal on their own with time. Your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic ointment or drops.
Glaucoma: Youll get eyedrops and maybe tablets to minimize pressure. If they do not work, you might require surgery.
Infected cornea: You may require antiviral or anti-bacterial eyedrops.
Iritis: The doctor will treat this with steroid, antibiotic, or antiviral eyedrops.
Optic neuritis: Its treated with corticosteroids.
Styes: Use warm compresses at home for a couple of days.
The only method to figure out the causes of sharp pain behind eye and to get the right treatment is to see a doctor. Your vision is valuable. Protect it by taking eye pain seriously.
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Five Ways To Relieve Sinus Pressure
The pain, facial pressure and congestion of sinus infections affect more than 26.9 million Americans roughly 11 percent of adults, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Most sinus infections, also called sinusitis, do not need to be treated with antibiotics, and will usually go away within 7-10 days.
One of the most annoying symptoms is the sinus pressure around the eyes, head and cheeks. Fortunately, there are several home remedies and medications that can help provide relief.
Talk To A Doctor About The Pressure Behind Your Eye
While the cause for the pressure behind your eye may be a mild illness, there are a range of serious illnesses that could be the underlying cause. If those conditions are left untreated, they could lead to a life-threatening situation.
If your eye pressure doesnt disappear with home remedies or over-the-counter pain medication, its best to see a doctor. Luckily, you dont even have to leave your house to consult with a qualified physician. Just book an appointment online.
At Carefree MD, we have doctors on call for you 24/7. You can talk to a doctor online today about headaches, sinus conditions, allergies, and a number of other issues.
All you have to do is sign up for Carefree MD. Once youre a member, you can get unlimited access to a virtual doctor to help you with your medical needs. Learn more!
The Carefree Dental MD blog is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The text and pictures within the content are intended for information purposes only. Readers should consult with a licensed doctor or healthcare professional before seeking treatment.
The Carefree MD Card is not insurance and Carefree MD is not an insurance provider.
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Symptoms Of Cavernous Sinus Thrombosis
Cavernous sinus thrombosis causes symptoms such as abnormally bulging eyes that occurs over days, swelling of the eyelid, severe headache, facial pain or numbness, impaired eye movements with double vision, loss of vision, drowsiness, a high fever, and excessively dilated or uneven pupils. If bacteria spread to the brain, more severe drowsiness, seizures, coma, and abnormal sensations or muscle weakness in certain areas may develop.
When You Should Call Or See A Doctor
While minor pain or pressure behind the eyes might pass on its own within a few hours, there are instances in which you should call or see a doctor.
Reach out to your doctor if you experience any of these along with pain or pressure behind your eye:
- Sudden, intense pain
- A burning sensation in the eye
- Blurry vision
- Nausea or vomiting
- Drooping eyelid
If you have anything in your eye, or you suspect your eye pain is caused by an injury or accident, seek medical attention immediately.
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How Do You Treat Puffy Eyes
Swollen, puffy eyes is not a good look for anyone. Its also not a comfortable feeling. Luckily there are things you can do at home to help reduce the inflammation:
- Nasal sprays
- Reduce alcohol and sodium
Some of these remedies require a prescription, while others are over-the-counter or even things youll find around the house. All of them, however, only offer temporary relief from puffy eyes.
Warning Signs And Symptoms Of A Dangerous Sinus Infection
Sinusitis describes inflammation of one or more of the paranasal sinuses, the air-filled spaces in the facial bones that open into the nasal cavity. This condition often occurs because of infection. Although infectious sinusitis is certainly uncomfortable, it usually does not pose a serious health threat. However, rare complications of infectious sinusitis can be dangerous and potentially life threatening if not diagnosed and treated promptly. These complications involve spread of the infection to the structures around the eye, the facial bones and/or the nervous system. Although rare, itâs important watch for warning signs and symptoms that might signal a potentially serious infectious sinusitis complication.
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.
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How Are Sinus Headaches Diagnosed
Most of the time when people diagnose themselves with a sinus headache, its really a migraine. So, its important to see your healthcare provider to get an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
Your healthcare provider will perform a physical exam and ask about your symptoms. If your symptoms are severe or ongoing, you may also need imaging tests. A magnetic resonance imaging test can rule out serious brain conditions. Multiple imaging tests can reveal sinus blockages and include:
- X-rays.
- Computed tomography scan.
- Nasal endoscopy .
What Triggers Sinusitis
The common cold is the leading culprit. The average adult gets two to three colds a year, and the average child gets six to 10. Colds are caused by viruses, not bacteria, and antibiotics are useless for treatment. But cold viruses produce swelling of the nasal tissues, which can sometimes block the sinuses. Colds also change the mucus, preventing it from doing its normal job of clearing viruses and bacteria from the sinuses.
You may get some sinus pressure when you get a cold, but that doesn’t mean you have sinusitis or that you need an antibiotic. Only about one cold in 100 leads to sinusitis, and you can make the odds work for you by doing what it takes to keep your sinuses draining . You can also help your cause by blowing your nose gently without pinching it tightly forceful blowing can force bacteria up into your sinuses.
Many other things can block your sinuses and lead to infection. The list includes allergies, cigarette smoke and other irritating fumes, changes in barometric pressure during flying or scuba diving, nasal polyps, and a deviated nasal septum.
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What Causes Eye Pain
Causes of eye pain fall into two broad categories: ocular pain and orbital pain.
Orbital pain is described as a deep, dull ache behind or in the eye. This pain is often caused by diseases of the eye.
- Optic neuritis is an inflammation of the optic nerve. The optic nerve connects to the back of the eye. The cause of this inflammation can be from multiple sclerosis, viral infections, or bacterial infections and can cause symptoms such as pressure behind the eye together with changes in vision and eye pain, especially on movement of the affected eye.
- Sinusitis, which is a bacterial or viral infection or allergic reaction in the sinuses, can cause a sensation of orbital or eye socket pain. Pain coming from the sinus cavities can be interpreted as eye pain.
- Migraines and cluster headaches are a very common cause of orbital eye pain.
- Painful ophthalmoplegia is the combination of orbital pain and eye muscle weakness. In addition to pain, there is double vision when both eyes are open. Causes include various inflammatory conditions of the orbit.
- Tooth pain resulting from problems with the upper teeth may present as pain in the orbit or below the eye.
- Traumatic events, such as a penetrating injury to the eye, a blow to the eye with a foreign object, and motor vehicle collisions, are causes of significant eye pain and injury. Scratches to the cornea typically associated with traumatic events are very painful. These are common eye problems that lead people to seek medical attention.
What Causes Sinus Infections And Sinusitis
Causes of Acute Sinus Infections
- Acute sinusitis usually follows a viral infection in the upper respiratory tract, but allergy-causing substances or pollutants may also trigger acute sinusitis. A Viral infection damages the cells of the sinus lining, leading to inflammation. The lining thickens, obstructing the nasal passage. This passage connects to the sinuses. The obstruction disrupts the process that removes bacteria normally present in the nasal passages, and the bacteria begin to multiply and invade the lining of the sinus. This causes the symptoms of sinus infection. Allergens and pollutants produce a similar effect.
- Bacteria that normally cause acute sinusitis are Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Moraxella catarrhalis. These microorganisms, along with Staphylococcus aureus and some anaerobes , are involved in chronic sinusitis.
Causes of Chronic Sinus Infections
- Chronic sinus infections are caused by viruses, bacteria, allergens, pollutants, and fungal infections, especially people with diseases that weaken the immune system, for example, HIV/AIDS, leukemia and other cancers, and diabetes.
- Medications that are designed to modify the immune system may increase the risk of developing sinus infections.
- Ongoing bad breath unrelated to dental problems
People who have facial pain, headaches, and fever may indicate a sinus infection.
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On Either Side Of The Nostrils
Use your fingers to apply gentle pressure to both sides of your nostrils. Your fingers should be at right angles to these points. Keep pressing for a minute to allow the sinuses to drain out this can help prevent inflammation and bring some sinus pressure relief. This pressure point is also good for pain behind the cheeks and helps prevent respiratory illnesses.