What is causing my headache?

Q: I get really bad headaches after I study for too long.  What might be causing them?

A: Headaches have many different causes.  It’s hard to diagnose the cause of a headache without talking to a doctor in person, but the headaches you’re describing sound suspicious for tension headaches.

Tension headaches are common.  They are usually described as a squeezing pain anywhere in the head often on both sides.  Tension headaches are caused by a combination of factors but muscle strain, bad posture, sleep deprivation, and stress can all make the pain worse.  Any of these things sound familiar? The best treatment is rest. Avoid cram sessions. Exercise. It is also important not to take pain relievers regularly for tension headaches because overusing them can lead to medication-induced rebound headaches.

Another possible cause for your pain could be eye strain. Have you had your vision checked lately? If your eyesight is not properly corrected, reading can put excess strain on the muscles that keep your eyes focused. This can lead to some pretty bad headaches, sometimes without any obvious vision problem. If you’re worried, contact the optometry clinic at the Student Health Center. Remember, if you wear glasses or contacts you should have a vision screening at least once a year.

There are many other serious causes of headaches. You should see a doctor immediately if you have any of these symptoms:

• -headache with a stiff neck or high fever
• -severe headache that comes on quickly, within a few seconds or minutes
• -headache with loss or “hole” in vision
• -headache after loss of consciousness
• -headache after injury.
• -headache that lasts for several days
• -headache associated with exercise

Adam Brandeberry, Med IV (Ohio State College of Medicine)

Victoria Rentel, MD (Ohio State Student Health Services)