A combination of an eye twitch with headache can seem worrying, and in some instances the cause of this occurrence can be something to worry about. Thankfully, the most common cause of this is usually down to factors that are easily resolvable and not seriously damaging to one’s health. This article will explain the most common causes, how you can work to resolve them, as well as when you should seek the help of a healthcare professional.

What Causes Headache and Eye Twitch?

There are many factors that stem as a result of your everyday actions that can cause you to experience eye twitching with a headache. As stated, many of these causes are fairly easy to resolve, meaning that, if proper action is taken, it should take no time at all to get back to perfect health without unwanted physical discomfort. Common causes include:
1

Stress

It is easy to experience stress in everyday life. When we do so, stress-related hormones are released within one’s body which can have physical repercussions on one’s muscles, and easily lead to eye twitching. Stress is also one of the most common causes of headaches, so if you have been particularly stressed lately, then this may be the cause of your headache and eye twitch.

2

Sleeplessness

There are many people who struggle to get the recommended amount of sleep each night, for various reasons. Getting enough sleep is important, and if one does not, then many adverse physical and cognitive occurrences can arise, including eye twitching and headaches.

3

Eye Muscle Fatigue

It is easy to strain one’s eyes throughout the day. Use of electronic devices or watching hours of television can cause fatigue within the muscles around the eyes and cause them to twitch uncontrollably. This eye strain can then directly lead to headaches.

4

Cluster Headaches or Basilar Migraines

Each of these less common forms of headaches and migraines can cause you to experience eye twitching as a side effect. Cluster headaches are cyclical and are usually experienced on side of the head only, causing one’s eye to twitch on that side. A basilar migraine is quite a rare occurrence, however twitching of the eye is one symptom, along with an extreme headache at the back of the head, nausea, partial loss of vision, and vertigo.

5

Deteriorating Eyesight

Many individuals experience deterioration in their eyesight as they grow older, meaning that they either need corrective surgery, contact lenses, or glasses. When this deterioration begins to occur, common side effects include eye twitching and headaches.

6

Medicinal Side Effects

Certain medication can cause an individual to experience a headache and eye twitch, such side effects should be clearly explained with the medication and/or by your healthcare professional.

7

Dietary Deficiencies

A lack of certain vitamins and minerals can cause one’s eyes to twitch, such as vitamin B12, calcium and potassium. Being dehydrated can also cause headaches and eye twitching.

8

Addictive Substances

Things such as caffeine, alcohol and cigarettes can cause eye twitching and headaches when an individual who was once a regular consumer of such substances practices abstinence from them. Over-consumption of caffeine can also cause these symptoms to occur.

9

Other Causes

Eye conditions like conjunctivitis can cause eye twitching. Less common causes of these symptoms also include Parkinson's diseases, Tourette's syndrome, dystonia, and Bell’s palsy.

What Can I Do About It?

If you are experiencing headaches and eye twitching, then it is important to ascertain what the cause of it may be. If any of the occurrences listed above happen to you, then resolving such issues can help to improve your symptoms quickly.

  • The first thing to ensure is that you are getting enough sleep, hydrating properly, and eating a healthy and balanced diet. Doing these three simple yet demanding things will have many benefits on the body and mind and can help to relieve you of your symptoms, especially if you haven’t recently been sleeping proper, eating right and hydrating sufficiently.

  • If you find that you have high amounts of stress in your life, or any unwanted stress at all, then take positive steps to relieve such stress. Exercise is a great way to relive stress, due to the release of hormones like endorphins. Finding something that you love to do can also help to relieve stress, as can meditation, Qi gong, yoga, and deep breathing.

  • Try to limit the amount of time you spend using electronically devices throughout the day if you are still experiencing a headache and eye twitch, it is also suggested to have your eyes tested, especially if these symptoms coincide with loss of visual ability.

When to See a Doctor

If your condition is chronic, meaning that it is long lasting and beginning to affect your everyday life, then you should seek medical help for proper diagnosis and treatment options. As neurological disorders can cause these symptoms, ruling out such disorders (or diagnosing and treating them) is important. Medical help should also be sought if the eye lid becomes completely closed while spasming, if there is puss, or if other muscles on the face are also spasming.

Experience of Others

“I used to experience a migraine every month or so, and recently began experiencing eye twitches with it. I wasn't getting much sleep so I began to sleep more and since then my symptoms have gone”.

“I used to experience horrible headaches all the time until I started hydrating properly. I've recently started to eat properly as well, and have since experienced zero headaches”.

“I visited my doctor after experiencing a headache and eye twitching for over a week, after they suggested I rest more, I have followed their advice and seen a great improvement in my symptoms”.

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