A few weeks ago, I experienced a persistent headache that refused to go away. It started out as a dull ache behind my eyes and was worse each time I gazed at my laptop or phone. Hours spent looking at the screens left me seeing blurry visions and throbbing temples. I suspected it was due to stress, but the eye exam said it was from uncorrected vision and digital eye strain. The optometrist suggested new glasses and the 20-20-20 rule. It was a wake-up call because within days of wearing the right prescription and taking frequent screen breaks, the headaches subsided.

Headaches are a common complaint, varying from mild annoyance to debilitating pain interfering with daily activities. While stress, dehydration, and underlying health conditions often dominate the conversation about headache triggers, eye-related issues can also be a significant cause. Understanding the connection between headaches and eye health is essential for proper diagnosis and management.

The eyes are delicate organs working continuously to understand the world. Any form of stress, misalignment, or an existing condition of the eye can cause irritation. According to Dr. Neeraj Sanduja, MBBS, MS, Ophthalmologist, and Eye Surgeon, "Headaches from eye conditions usually present with distinct characteristics, like temple or forehead pain, even behind the eyes, often after tasks requiring long-term concentration of the gaze."

This discomfort can often radiate to surrounding areas, such as the temples or forehead, manifesting as headaches. These are known as ocular headaches, which are distinct from migraines or tension headaches but can often feel similar.

Common Eye-Related Causes of Headaches

1. Eye Strain (Asthenopia)

Prolonged activities such as reading, watching computer screens, or driving are very focused activities. The muscles used in these functions are overused, which in turn often gives a dull ache around the eyes or temples-a common headache type known as eye strain. Not functionally disabling, this kind of headache has become increasingly more common in our digital age. "Eye strain, while uncomfortable, is often manageable with proper rest and corrective measures," says Dr. Sanduja.

2. Uncorrected Vision Problems

Conditions like myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism make the eyes work harder to focus. Extra effort to have clear vision results in headaches, especially after performing long tasks such as reading or screen usage.

3. Outdated or Incorrect Eyewear Prescriptions

Using glasses or contact lenses with an outdated or incorrect prescription can cause headaches. Regular eye checkups are essential to ensure that your prescription aligns with your current vision needs.

4. Computer Vision Syndrome (Digital Eye Strain)

With increased screen time, digital eye strain has emerged as the primary cause of headaches. This condition is often accompanied by other symptoms, including dry eyes, blurred vision, and neck pain. Inadequate breaks during screen use increase the strain on the eyes, leading to headaches.

5. Glaucoma

This condition presents with increased intraocular pressure. The patient suffers from intense headache, especially in the eyes, and sometimes, it is associated with nausea and vomiting or by the presence of halos in the lights. Early detection and intervention help prevent vision loss.

6. Eye Muscle Imbalance (Binocular Vision Dysfunction)

Even the slightest misalignment of the eyes can cause strain as the muscles work to keep things in focus. The result is a common condition called binocular vision dysfunction, often bringing on headaches and an inability to concentrate.

7. Inflammatory Eye Disorders

Inflammatory disorders like uveitis or optic neuritis may bring about severe headaches, usually with additional symptoms, including redness, photophobia, or a change in vision.

What is Eye Strain and Why Does It Matter?

Not every headache is ocular in etiology, and some symptoms differentiate ocular headache from others. You should look for medical consultation if:

• The headache improves or worsens as time passes on.
• Associated symptoms include double vision, pain in the eye, or even redness.
• Nausea, sensitivity to light, or seeing halos around lights occurs with the headache.
• You haven't had a comprehensive eye exam in more than a year.

An eye examination may determine if the headaches are indeed related to some vision problem. In the process, an ophthalmologist may check the eyes' nerves and inspect the optic discs to dismiss conditions such as increased intraocular pressure. Dr. Sanduja further advises, "For most individuals, eye strain-related headaches can be alleviated by addressing refractive errors with proper lenses or improving visual ergonomics."

In some instances, referred pain may account for the relationship between headaches and eye discomfort: pain can be felt in one location even though it is caused by an injury or condition elsewhere. A complete assessment will determine the cause.

How to Manage Eye-Related Headaches

- Corrective lenses for nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism can help relieve headaches caused by uncorrected vision problems.

- Adopt the 20-20-20 rule: focus on something that is 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes.

- For more critical conditions such as glaucoma or inflammatory conditions, treatment includes medication, lifestyle adjustments, or even surgery.

• Take breaks regularly when using your screen.
• Always ensure proper lighting when reading or working.
• Stay hydrated to help keep your eyes healthy.

Not all headaches associated with the eyes are caused by vision problems. Referred pain can originate from tension headaches or sinus infections, radiating discomfort to the eyes. This makes professional evaluation critical in determining the true cause.

While headaches can stem from a variety of causes, eye-related issues are often overlooked. If you experience frequent headaches with accompanying eye symptoms, consulting an ophthalmologist is essential. Dr. Sanduja concludes, "Regular eye checkups are not just about vision—they are vital for overall health. Addressing eye-related headaches can significantly improve quality of life and well-being."Regular eye checkups not only protect your vision but also help identify potential triggers for your headaches.

Dr Neeraj Sanduja is a practising Ophthalmologist and Eye Surgeon at Viaan Eye and Retina Centre in India

One must be very careful about what they consume. One of the easiest ways to get sick is by eating food or having beverages from unsafe and unsanitary places. That is why people are discouraged from eating at roadside stalls or food from street hawkers who do not follow the food safety protocol.

Many people do not know how unsafe tap water can be. While the tap water available at home goes through treatment, it is best to only drink it after boiling or opting for water from the filter. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) explains that these health issues can range from mild to serious, depending on what germs are being transmitted.

In a TikTok, Doctor Suraj Kukadia who goes by Dr. Sooj, a practicing NHS GP and emergency doctor, issued a critical warning. urgent warning that if you use regular tap water to rinse your nose, you could be exposed to a very rare but dangerous "brain-eating amoeba." Even though tap water in the UK is perfectly safe to drink, it's a different story when it comes to cleaning out your nose.

Why Tap Water Is Risky for Your Nose

Rinsing your nose is a common thing people do when they have a cold, allergies, or a sinus infection. You usually flush water or salt water into your nose to wash away snot, dust, pollen, and anything else that might be irritating your nasal passages. But in a video, a doctor known online as Dr. Sooj, explained why tap water is risky for this. He said that "tap water has bacteria. It has amoeba, it has protozoa. There are tiny living things in the water." When you drink these, your stomach acid usually kills them, but when they go up your nose, it's a different story.

Brain-Eating Amoeba

The main worry is a "brain-eating amoeba" called Naegleria fowleri. This tiny creature loves to live in warm fresh water, like lakes, rivers, and hot springs. The Cleveland Clinic explains water that contains this amoeba goes up your nose, it can travel to your brain. Once there, it causes a very serious and almost always deadly infection called Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM). While this infection is rare, it's not worth the risk.

If the amoeba gets into the brain through the nose, it can cause a severe infection called Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM). Early signs of PAM can be a headache, fever, feeling sick to your stomach (nausea), and throwing up (vomiting). This infection moves incredibly fast. Most people who get PAM unfortunately die within just 1 to 18 days after they start showing symptoms, often falling into a coma before death. Other symptoms can include a stiff neck, feeling confused, not paying attention to people around you, losing your balance, and seeing things that aren't real (hallucinations).

When to Seek Medical Help

Health experts like the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) agree with this advice. They also warn about another amoeba called Acanthamoeba. If you or someone you know starts to have a headache, fever, confusion, or vomiting soon after rinsing your sinuses or nasal passages, it's crucial to get medical help right away.

A new study has revealed a sharp rise in cases of a rare cancer—appendiceal adenocarcinoma—particularly among younger generations. Generation X and millennials are seeing significantly higher rates of this cancer than previous generations, prompting concern among experts.

What Is Appendiceal Adenocarcinoma?

Appendiceal adenocarcinoma (AA) is a rare form of cancer that originates in the appendix, a small pouch attached to the large intestine. While appendix cancers are not commonly diagnosed—about 3,000 new cases per year in the U.S.—they appear to be rising at an alarming rate among younger adults.

Generational Surge in Cases

According to a new paper published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, the rate of AA has tripled among Generation X and quadrupled among millennials compared to those born in the mid-20th century. Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center used data from the U.S. National Cancer Institute’s Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) program, which tracked cancer cases from 1975 to 2019.

The numbers are telling: the study found that for people born in 1985, the incidence of appendix cancer is four times higher than for those born in 1945. For individuals born in 1980, it is about three times higher.

A Broader Gastrointestinal Trend

Experts say this rise mirrors trends in other gastrointestinal cancers—such as colorectal and stomach cancer—which are also being diagnosed more frequently in adults under 50. Between 1975 and 2019, the researchers recorded 4,858 cases of appendix cancer, with a noticeable uptick in recent decades.

Possible Causes: Lifestyle and Diet

Although the exact reasons for this generational increase remain unclear, researchers suggest that lifestyle and environmental factors may be playing a major role. The consumption of ultra-processed foods, sugary beverages, and processed meats has increased sharply in recent decades. Additionally, obesity and metabolic syndrome—both risk factors for various cancers—are more prevalent among younger people today than in past generations.

Lead researcher Dr. Andreana Holowatyji highlighted that the increase in cases is not due to more appendectomies being performed. Surgical removal rates of the appendix have remained largely stable over time, suggesting that other factors, possibly related to diet, lifestyle, and environmental exposure, are contributing to the spike in cases.

The Challenge of Early Detection

One of the major hurdles in combating appendiceal adenocarcinoma is the lack of clear early symptoms. Many of the signs—such as bloating, appetite loss, and changes in bowel habits—are vague and can easily be mistaken for more common digestive issues. This often leads to delayed diagnoses and limited treatment options.

Urgent Need for Research

With no definitive causes identified, scientists are calling for more research into environmental exposures, genetic factors, and molecular changes that might contribute to the development of appendix cancer. Understanding these elements could help in early detection and potentially lower the rising risk among younger populations.

As per the World Health Organization (WHO), globally, over 1.2 billion people ages 30 to 79 have hypertension. The number has increased from 650 million in 1990 to 1.2 billion in 2021. This increase is attributed to many factors, including lifestyle factors, which include salty indulgence, stress, and screen time which has been increased. These three impact your blood pressure levels, know how.

What Are The Three S Worsening Your Blood Pressure?

Salt

As per the Harvard Heart Publishing, an average American consumes the equivalent of about 1 1/2 teaspoon of salt per day, which is 50% more than the recommended amount.

About a third of healthy people and about 60% of people with high blood pressure are salt sensitive.

How does salt affects blood pressure?

When you consume too much sodium, your body holds on to extra water to balance the sodium levels. This added fluid increases the volume of blood in your vessels, which in turn raises your blood pressure and forces your heart to work harder. High sodium intake can also reduce the effectiveness of certain blood pressure medications. For example, diuretics help eliminate excess sodium and water, while vasodilators work by relaxing the blood vessels. However, a high-sodium diet makes your body retain fluid again, refilling those relaxed vessels and undoing the medication's effects.

Stress

As per the official publication of State Medical Society of Wisconsin, stress can cause hypertension through repeated blood pressure elevations as well as by stimulation of the nervous system to produce large amounts of vasoconstricting hormones that increase blood pressure. Factors affecting blood pressure through stress include white coat hypertension, job strain, race, social environment, and emotional distress.

As per National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, around 50 million American adults live with hypertension, defined as a systolic blood pressure over 139 mm Hg or diastolic pressure over 89 mm Hg. In about 95% of these cases, the condition is classified as "essential" hypertension, meaning there’s no single identifiable cause. However, experts agree that multiple factors—including stress—can contribute to rising blood pressure in these individuals.

Screentime

As per a 2024 study published in Cureus, hypertension is a major risk factor for coronary artery disease. The study links the increased accessibility of smartphones with the increasing hypertension.

This study explored the relationship between screen time and blood pressure (BP) among young adults.

The study also noted that higher screen time was more common among individuals using multiple devices. The prevalence of elevated BP in the sample was 35.8%, aligning with national data and raising concerns about the cardiovascular health of young adults.

Previous studies support these concerns. For instance, Nang et al. and Martinez-Gomez et al. linked prolonged TV viewing to higher BP and an adverse cardiovascular risk profile in adolescents. However, these relied on self-reported data. Other risk factors, such as age, gender, obesity, inactivity, and substance use, have also been linked to hypertension.