Have you ever felt pain in your forehead that made you want to pinch the bridge of your nose or hold your head in your hands? A headache between eyebrows can be incredibly uncomfortable and negatively impact your ability to go about your daily routines. While you feel the pain around your eyebrows, it is actually occurring underneath. If you start to have an eyebrow headache more frequently, then you may want to see a doctor for headache and migraine treatment. There are several reasons why you might be experiencing eyebrow headaches, and treatment options depend on the specific root cause. Here’s what you need to know about a headache in the eyebrow area and how to experience lasting pain relief.
What Causes a Headache Between the Eyebrows?
There are several possible causes for a headache between your eyebrows. Here are four examples of what could be causing your pain.
Head Cold
A head cold can cause you to experience a runny nose, congestion, cough, and headaches. You might find a head cold little more than a nuisance until the pain starts to ruin your day. A head cold may result in a headache that occurs behind your eyes and eyebrows. This could be due to the buildup of sinus pressure related to the nasal symptoms that come with your cold.
Sinusitis
A sinus infection, also known as sinusitis, can also cause pain behind your eyebrows. When you have a sinus infection, it can cause swelling in your sinus cavities. You may get a stuffy nose or congestion as the sinus cavities fill with mucus. This swelling and pressure on your sinuses can cause pain that occurs behind your nose and eyes. Sinus pain associated with sinusitis can cause a headache behind the eyebrow.
Allergies
Allergies can also aggravate your sinus cavities and lead to swelling. If you experience seasonal allergies, then you might get more frequent headaches in your eyebrows during the pollen season in spring or fall. When you experience a lot of congestion due to allergies, it can put pressure on your sinus cavities located behind your eyes and nose.
Health Conditions
Certain health conditions may also have brow pain and headache as possible symptoms. Glaucoma is one example of a health condition that affects your eyes and can cause painful headaches behind your eyebrows. Temporal arteritis is another health condition that refers to inflammation of the arteries in your head. This can cause headache pain around your eyes and temples.
Types of Headaches with Pain Between the Eyebrows
There are three main types of headaches that are associated with pain behind the eyebrows: migraines, tension headaches, and cluster headaches.
Migraines
Migraines are a severe type of headache that can cause incredibly painful and uncomfortable symptoms. Some of the first signs of a migraine may include increased sensitivity to loud noises and bright lights. You may also experience pain that gets worse and becomes increasingly debilitating over time. A migraine can cause pain on one or both sides of your head, including behind your eyebrows. People who have migraines may also have symptoms, including nausea, irritability, dizziness, and pain that gets worse with certain movements.
Tension Headaches
Tension headaches can feel like you have a band wrapped around your head. Stress in your life can cause you to tense your muscles, and a buildup of that tension can result in painful headaches. Tension headaches can also be accompanied by pain in your neck and shoulders, along with stiff and sore muscles.
Cluster Headaches
Cluster headaches refer to a type of migraine where you experience a burst of multiple headache attacks in a row. A typical experience of cluster headaches may include the exact same or similar symptoms of a migraine but with short periods of relief in between attacks. Cluster headaches can last over the course of one day or even a week at a time.
Diagnosing a Headache Between the Eyebrows
In order to find out what headache treatment will work best for you, you will first need to know the cause of an eyebrow headache. Talk to your doctor about what symptoms you have been experiencing. It can help to keep a journal or record of your headache symptoms for more detailed information. Include what you were doing and eating when you first noticed a headache under your eyebrows. Your doctor will also want to know if your symptoms got worse over time and if certain movements or activities made the pain worse. In some cases, your doctor may want to run diagnostic imaging tests like an X-ray or CT scan to rule out any injury or a spinal condition.
Eyebrow Headache and Migraine Treatment
Effective treatment for eyebrow headaches and migraines starts with a thorough understanding of the underlying cause. Once identified, appropriate treatments can be applied to alleviate pain and prevent future occurrences. Here’s a detailed approach to treating eyebrow headaches and migraines, divided into several subheadings for clarity:
Treating Nasal Symptoms of an Eyebrow Headache
If sinus issues are the root cause of a painful headache between the eyebrows, treating nasal symptoms should be the priority. Over-the-counter decongestants and antihistamines can help reduce sinus congestion and alleviate pressure. Nasal corticosteroids might also be prescribed to decrease inflammation in the sinus cavities. For chronic sinusitis, a doctor might recommend more advanced treatments, including nasal irrigation, antibiotics for bacterial infections, or even surgery to improve sinus drainage. Allergy shots for immunotherapy treatments may be recommended for people with persistent allergy-related sinus issues.
Home Remedies and Lifestyle Adjustments
Using a humidifier at home to keep moisture in the air can help prevent your sinus passages from drying out and becoming irritated. Saline nasal sprays can also help clear out mucus and hydrate your nasal passages. Staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water also helps with thinning mucus, making it easier to drain.
Acute Migraine Treatments
For immediate relief from migraines, medications like triptans, ergotamines, and anti-nausea drugs can be effective. These can be taken at the first sign of a migraine to reduce severity and duration. Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen might also provide relief for less severe migraines.
Preventive Medications
If you experience frequent migraines and brow pain headaches, your doctor may prescribe preventive medications. These types of medications can include beta-blockers, anti-seizure drugs, antidepressants, and more, which may reduce the frequency and intensity of migraines over time.
Lifestyle Modifications
Identifying and avoiding what might trigger your eyebrow headache is crucial. Simple lifestyle modifications like maintaining a regular sleep schedule, eating well-balanced meals, and managing stress through techniques such as yoga or meditation can help reduce the incidence of headaches between eyebrows.
Tension Headache Relief
Managing tension headaches often involves a combination of lifestyle changes and over-the-counter pain relief. Stress management techniques, regular physical activity, and practicing proper posture can help prevent tension headaches. Over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen, acetaminophen, or aspirin may also provide relief during an episode.
Chiropractic Care and Physical Therapy
Chiropractic adjustments and physical therapy can address any underlying musculoskeletal issues that may contribute to your headaches behind the eyebrows. Techniques to improve posture and alleviate tension in your neck and shoulders can be especially beneficial. Therapeutic massage can also relieve muscle tension and improve circulation, providing relief from a variety of headache types. Each person’s condition is unique, so treatment plans should be personalized to your individual needs. That’s why our Marietta chiropractors and physical therapists collaborate to develop customized treatment plans that consider your specific symptoms, lifestyle, and health goals. This personalized approach ensures more effective and long-lasting eyebrow headache relief.
Rely on AICA Marietta for Eyebrow Headaches
No matter what is causing your eyebrow headaches, our team at AICA Orthopedics in Marietta is here to help. We have a staff of orthopedic doctors, neurologists, chiropractors, and physical therapists who specialize in the treatment of headaches and migraines. Visit us to learn more about how we can help you find relief from eyebrow headaches.