Headaches in the forehead and eyes

Every person suffers from headaches from time to time. Occasional pain usually does not cause concern and is easily relieved with painkillers, but for a number of patients this pathology becomes an integral part of existence, significantly worsening the quality of life.

Headache in the forehead is a fairly common phenomenon in all age groups of the population. In order to cope with it, you need to approach this issue carefully, listen carefully to your body, try to identify the factors that provoke the occurrence of pain and be sure to consult with a specialist.

Pain above the eyebrows - causes

Trigeminal neuralgia

Trigeminal neuralgia is a condition that causes sharp, intense pain in the facial area. The trigeminal nerve connects the brain to the face, allowing a person to sense touch and changes in temperature.

Trigeminal neuralgia usually affects only one side of the face, but in rare cases it can affect both sides.

Some people with this condition may experience stabbing pain that feels like an electric shock. Others may have constant pain and burning in the facial area.

Treatment of headaches in both eyes and eyes

The main condition for effective treatment of headaches is timely consultation with a doctor. It is impossible to choose the right regimen on your own, since only painkillers that relieve the symptoms of the disease are available at home. Additionally, the following methods may be prescribed:

• drugs for the correction of increased intracranial and blood pressure, including systemic use of diuretics;
• Antibiotic therapy is the basis for the treatment of inflammatory diseases;
• medications to improve blood supply to the brain;
• selection of glasses or lenses by an ophthalmologist, drops to eliminate dryness and inflammation of the mucous membrane;
• symptomatic treatment for additional manifestations of diseases - may include antipyretics, vitamins and other drugs.

The Clinical Brain Institute offers individual programs for diagnosing and treating headaches in the forehead and eyes. The main advantages of the center are the possibility of inpatient and outpatient observation, highly qualified specialists, accurate and modern equipment.

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Cluster headache

A cluster headache is a severe headache that can occur one to eight times a day and last from 15 minutes to 3 hours each time.

People may experience stabbing pain, often either behind the eyebrow and eye, or around the temples. This pain and other symptoms usually affect one side of the head.

Cluster headache symptoms

• red, watery eyes;
• runny nose;
• flushed face;
• drooping eyelid;
• hyperkinesis;
• inability to lie still.

Shingles

Shingles is a condition that affects the nerves. It occurs in localized areas, usually on one side. These areas may include the face and neck.

Symptoms of herpes zoster

• a painful, fluid-filled rash;
• shooting pain;
• tingling or numbness sensation;
• burning;
• itching;
• fever and chills;
• nausea;
• headache;
• loss of vision.

People should see a doctor immediately if they notice blisters on their face, especially if they are close to the eyes.

Sinusitis

Sinusitis is an inflammation of the sinuses. This can put a lot of pressure on the facial area and people may feel pain around the eyebrows, nose, forehead and cheeks.

Symptoms of sinusitis

• stuffy nose;
• cough;
• thick, yellow or green mucus from the nose;
• mucus running down the throat.

Sinusitis can be either acute or chronic. Symptoms of acute sinusitis usually resolve within a week or 10 days. If symptoms do not improve with treatment and last longer than 12 weeks, a person may develop chronic sinusitis.

Examination methods

If your eyes and head in the forehead area often hurt, you need to undergo an examination to determine the cause of this symptom. The initial examination is carried out by a therapist, then additional examinations are prescribed according to indications. They may include consultations with a neurologist, traumatologist, ophthalmologist, otolaryngologist, as well as a number of tests and instrumental diagnostic methods:

• general and biochemical blood tests - make it possible to determine inflammatory processes, acute and chronic diseases of internal organs;
• MRI, CT scan of the head - a method for detecting tumors, hematomas, pathologies of the structure of the brain;
• blood pressure measurement;
• determination of eye pressure, methods for diagnosing visual acuity.

The Clinical Brain Institute has modern equipment for diagnosing diseases that are accompanied by headaches. The ability to make an accurate diagnosis, as well as many years of experience of specialists, allow us to prescribe the most effective treatment in a timely manner.

Temporal arteritis

Giant cell arteritis, or temporal arteritis, is a condition that affects the blood vessels along the side of the head.

Inflammation of these blood vessels can cause facial pain and other symptoms such as:

• jaw pain;
• temporary loss of vision;
• fever;
• severe headaches;
• dizziness;
• difficulty swallowing or sore throat.

According to the Arthritis Foundation, people over 50, especially women, are more likely to develop giant cell arteritis.

Treatment and home remedies

Treatment for eyebrow pain depends on the cause:

1. Headaches and migraines: Painkillers, as well as more rest and sleep, may help.
2. Severe or frequent migraine episodes: Your doctor may prescribe pain medications.
3. Cluster headaches: Your doctor may recommend pain medications or an oxygen mask to prevent a cluster headache.
4. Shingles: Rest, a cool compress, and calamine lotion can help soothe the symptoms of shingles until the infection clears up.
5. Glaucoma: Taking eye drops daily may help prevent vision loss in people with glaucoma. Beta blockers and alpha agonists also help reduce fluid buildup in the eye.
6. Sinusitis: Patients can take anti-inflammatory medications and nasal sprays to treat sinusitis. Pain medications, adequate rest, and proper hydration may also help reduce symptoms.
7. Trigeminal neuralgia: Your doctor may prescribe medications or recommend surgery.
8. Giant cell arteritis: Corticosteroids can effectively treat the symptoms of giant cell arteritis.

When to see a doctor?

A person should see a doctor if eyebrow pain is severe, persistent, or accompanied by other symptoms.

People with eyebrow pain should seek immediate medical attention if they also have the following symptoms:

• severe pain or swelling of the face;
• swelling or redness around the eyes;
• confusion or feelings of disorientation;
• sudden severe headache;
• drowsiness;
• fever;
• rash;
• nausea and vomiting.

People should see a doctor if they have symptoms of any of the following conditions:

• shingles;
• giant cell arteritis;
• severe or frequent migraine episodes;
• trigeminal neuralgia;
• glaucoma.

Headache in the forehead area: which doctor should I consult?

Most often, headaches of any origin and location are addressed to a neurologist. An appointment with a doctor consists of a detailed questioning about the probable causes and nature of the pain, ordering an additional examination and selecting medications to reduce or stop the pain.

The following studies are most often prescribed:

• CT or MRI of the brain - these types of studies are especially relevant when diagnosing brain injuries and tumors.
• Doppler ultrasound and duplex scanning of cerebral vessels - these studies will help identify cerebral circulatory disorders that often accompany migraines and other types of headaches.
• Daily blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) - this type of diagnosis will help determine the dependence of the occurrence of headaches on fluctuations in blood pressure.

Not only a neurologist, but also other specialized specialists can eliminate the cause of a headache in the frontal area.

Otorhinolaryngologist - this specialist should be contacted if the following symptoms occur:

• headache in the area of ​​the brow ridges;
• increased pain when tilting the head forward;
• nasal discharge;
• increase in body temperature.

All these signs indicate the possible development of frontal sinusitis - inflammation of the frontal sinuses. This disease is dangerous due to its complications, including the development of meningitis. An ENT doctor can confirm or refute the diagnosis after a series of laboratory and instrumental studies (x-ray of the paranasal sinuses, computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging).

Ophthalmologist (ophthalmologist) - the following symptoms may be the reason for a visit to this doctor:

• pain that initially arose in the eye area and then spread to the frontal area;
• blurred vision;
• fog and spots before the eyes.

If such manifestations appear, you should visit an ophthalmologist and undergo a detailed ophthalmological examination (ultrasound of the eyeballs, measurement of intraocular pressure, examination of the fundus, etc.).

A general practitioner will help you cope with headaches that arise from influenza and other viral infections. This specialist will also help if you have a headache in the forehead and back of the head, which happens with high or low blood pressure.

Summary

People may experience eyebrow pain for many reasons. Sinusitis or headaches can lead to increased pressure and pain in the eyebrow area, which should go away as soon as the cause is eliminated. Other times, eyebrow pain is due to an underlying condition such as glaucoma.

If people experience frequent or severe pain around the eyebrows or notice other symptoms, they should consult a doctor immediately.

Another article on the topic: Drinking small amounts of caffeine every day does not cause migraines.

Causes of headaches in the forehead and eyes

Pain in the frontal part of the head and eyes is not a separate pathology, but a symptom of various disorders. It can also occur in the absence of any diseases, against the background of fatigue, stress, or prolonged work at the monitor. However, if it occurs frequently, you should undergo a full examination and receive recommendations for treatment.

Eye diseases

Acute and chronic eye diseases are one of the common causes of headaches. They have different development mechanisms and manifest themselves with different symptoms, so it is necessary to carry out their differential diagnosis. Ophthalmological diseases can be congenital or acquired in childhood or adulthood. They can progress, leading to partial or complete loss of vision, so treatment must begin in the initial stages.

1. Glaucoma is a syndrome in which swelling occurs inside the eye. It is observed in various diseases, including can be caused by farsightedness and chronic hypertension. In the initial stages, peripheral vision deteriorates, headaches in the frontal part and eyes due to damage to the optic nerve. In the future, glaucoma can progress and lead to complete blindness.
2. Myopia (myopia) is a disease in which the image is not on the retina, but in front of it. Objects located at a far distance are difficult to distinguish. For myopia, vision correction is necessary with individually selected glasses or lenses. It is also necessary to perform special gymnastics for the eyes, avoid prolonged work at the monitor and concentration on small details.
3. Inflammation of the optic nerve is the cause of acute headaches in the forehead and eyes, and visual impairment. Its cause is often infectious diseases, but a chronic, recurrent course of optic neuritis can be caused by diabetes mellitus. Timely treatment and the prescription of corticosteroids will restore vision, relieve pain and inflammation.

Deterioration of vision, pain in the frontal part of the head and eyes, lacrimation, redness of the conjunctiva, inability to concentrate on near or distant objects - this is a reason to consult an ophthalmologist for an examination. To select glasses or contact lenses, as well as to prescribe a medication regimen, you must undergo additional examinations.

Increased intracranial pressure

If you often have a headache in the frontal area or put pressure on your eyes, you should consult a doctor to diagnose intracranial pressure. It is impossible to measure this indicator at home, since it is determined by indirect methods. Normally, it consists of three components: blood pressure, spinal fluid and the brain tissue itself. An increase in any of them leads to an increase in intracranial pressure and the following symptoms:

• headaches in the temples, forehead and eyes;
• dizziness, weakness, frequent fainting;
• deterioration of hearing and vision, the appearance of various hallucinations;
• nausea and vomiting;
• increased or decreased blood pressure, slow heartbeat;
• development of convulsive syndrome.

Increased intracranial pressure is a common diagnosis in both adults and children. It is diagnosed based on the clinical picture, as well as indirect diagnostic methods. The cause of this disorder may be congenital vascular anomalies, traumatic brain injuries, poisoning and other factors. If the pressure rises slightly and can be corrected with medications, it is enough to take them and undergo periodic examinations. The operation is prescribed only in difficult cases when excess fluid causes oxygen starvation and necrosis of brain cells. This condition is one of the predisposing factors for ischemic stroke and therefore cannot be ignored.

Infectious diseases

One of the most common reasons why the eyes and frontal part of the head hurt is viral diseases. The pathogens most often affect the upper respiratory tract and are transmitted by airborne droplets. Headache becomes one of the first symptoms, after which weakness, fever, and other characteristic signs develop. However, a viral infection can spread to the bronchi and lungs and affect brain cells. There are a huge number of infectious diseases that are highly contagious. Diseases spread by contact of the pathogen with the mucous membrane of the mouth or nose, but a prerequisite for their development is a decrease in the body’s immune defense.

1. ARVI (acute respiratory viral infections) is a group of diseases that manifest themselves with similar symptoms. They cause coughing, wheezing, sore throat, runny and watery nose, and fever. The patient often has headaches, forehead and eyes due to swelling of the mucous membranes.
2. Sinusitis is inflammation of the maxillary paranasal sinus. If normally there is only air in it, then in case of illness it is filled with liquid or purulent contents. More often, sinusitis is one of the complications of ARVI and requires urgent treatment. Conservative methods include antibiotic therapy and rinsing with saline solutions. If they do not bring results, the doctor may prescribe a puncture of the maxillary sinus, removing its contents and rinsing with solutions containing antibiotics.
3. Meningitis is an inflammation of the lining of the brain. This is a dangerous disease that poses a threat to the patient's life. It is caused by viruses, bacteria, and meningitis can also have a traumatic origin. Treatment is carried out in a hospital, under 24-hour medical supervision.

Treatment of infectious diseases is selected individually. Mild forms can be cured at home; all you need to do is stay in bed and take vitamins. However, with meningitis, severe forms of influenza and sinusitis, hospitalization will be required. In a hospital setting, antibiotics, supportive medications, and symptomatic medications are prescribed to reduce fever.

Traumatic brain injuries

One of the reasons why headaches occur in the temples, forehead and eyes is traumatic damage to brain tissue. They can be open or closed. In the first case, the integrity of the skin, skull bones and brain tissue is violated, so treatment is carried out surgically. Even after a long time after such an injury, the patient may experience headaches in the forehead and eyes, as well as various disorders of brain activity.

Closed head injuries are more common. They are no less dangerous for the victim and can cause long-term complications. There are several types of injuries that differ in the mechanism of development and types of damage to brain tissue.

1. A concussion is a temporary, reversible disturbance of consciousness due to a bruise, blow or fall. No organic damage is diagnosed, so treatment can be carried out at home. For several days, the patient experiences symptoms such as headache, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, hearing and vision impairment.
2. Brain contusion is the result of an unintentional or intentional blow to the head. Light bruises cause temporary impairment of consciousness and headaches. However, treatment must be carried out in a hospital, under the supervision of doctors. Bruises can cause swelling of the brain, increased intracranial pressure and cause a stroke.
3. Hematomas are an accumulation of blood in the brain tissue or in the space between the membranes. Their main cause is damage to blood vessels during bruises. Hematomas pose a danger to the patient's life and cause acute impairment of brain function.

Traumatic brain injuries can cause headaches even many years later. Many patients complain that they have a headache in the frontal part, pressure on the eyes during sudden changes in weather conditions or during physical exertion. Treatment is symptomatic and consists of eliminating pain and reducing stress.

Other reasons

Headaches that affect the forehead and eyes can be a sign of various conditions and diseases. When diagnosing, it is important to exclude the possibility of both the most common and rare causes of this symptom. These include:

• physical, emotional fatigue, prolonged lack of proper rest;
• disturbance of sleep and wakefulness, night shift work;
• frequent alcohol consumption, poor diet;
• an increase or decrease in the concentration of certain hormones in the blood.

The cause of headaches can be both common human conditions and dangerous diseases in the early stages. So, during diagnosis, a tumor in the brain or an aneurysm may be detected. Another dangerous disorder that must be taken into account during diagnosis is stroke, an acute disorder of cerebral circulation. Help during an attack is most effective in the first 2–4 hours. Then irreversible changes occur in the functioning of the brain, which can lead to disruption of vital functions, even death.