Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Mild Headache Above Left Eye?
Question: Hi,
I am 37 years old. Had typhoid (border case) during XXXXXXX 3rd week. Took antibiotics & recovered in 2 weeks time.
Started getting mild headache on the forehead above left eye on 14th March evening. It went off after a good night sleep. Had mild head ache in the evening for next 2 days which would go off after a night's sleep.
On 17th visited general physician. He suggested blood test to check for typhoid again. Widal test report showed no signs of typhoid. Doctor thought it could be viral infection. prescribed paracetamol for 3 days & asked me to take rest.
On 18th, slept for the full day & night. Was feeling tired. Mild headache was still there.
On 19th, left eye lids were a bit swollen & were closing a bit. Mild headache was still there. Visited another doctor who also thought the swelling & closing of left eye lid was due to headache & viral infection.
On 20th, left eyelids were closing bit more. I had to struggle to keep it open. Visited the doctor again whom I had visited on 19th. He checked & referred me to a neurologist for further analysis. Neurosurgeon looked into my condition & suggested for MRI scanning to see any structural problem as well as complete blood test. Continued with paracetamol tablets.
On 21st, blood test report showed everything normal. MRI scanning also showed that there was no issue with the structure. Left eyelids were closed. I had to forcefully open it if required. If I close right eye with my hand, then I could open left eyelid a bit easily. However headache was gone.
Neurologist suspected allergic infection & started steroid IV injection. 3 doses of 4mg Dexamethasone were given at an interval of 8 hours.
From 22nd onwards I am on steroid tablets (Prednisolone) 20mg x 3 tablets in the morning till 27th. Neurologist has asked me to visit again on 27th.
I am 37 years old. Had typhoid (border case) during XXXXXXX 3rd week. Took antibiotics & recovered in 2 weeks time.
Started getting mild headache on the forehead above left eye on 14th March evening. It went off after a good night sleep. Had mild head ache in the evening for next 2 days which would go off after a night's sleep.
On 17th visited general physician. He suggested blood test to check for typhoid again. Widal test report showed no signs of typhoid. Doctor thought it could be viral infection. prescribed paracetamol for 3 days & asked me to take rest.
On 18th, slept for the full day & night. Was feeling tired. Mild headache was still there.
On 19th, left eye lids were a bit swollen & were closing a bit. Mild headache was still there. Visited another doctor who also thought the swelling & closing of left eye lid was due to headache & viral infection.
On 20th, left eyelids were closing bit more. I had to struggle to keep it open. Visited the doctor again whom I had visited on 19th. He checked & referred me to a neurologist for further analysis. Neurosurgeon looked into my condition & suggested for MRI scanning to see any structural problem as well as complete blood test. Continued with paracetamol tablets.
On 21st, blood test report showed everything normal. MRI scanning also showed that there was no issue with the structure. Left eyelids were closed. I had to forcefully open it if required. If I close right eye with my hand, then I could open left eyelid a bit easily. However headache was gone.
Neurologist suspected allergic infection & started steroid IV injection. 3 doses of 4mg Dexamethasone were given at an interval of 8 hours.
From 22nd onwards I am on steroid tablets (Prednisolone) 20mg x 3 tablets in the morning till 27th. Neurologist has asked me to visit again on 27th.
Brief Answer:
Seems to be on correct line
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for posting your query.
I have noted your symptoms, progress, investigation reports and current treatment.
Findings are suggestive of right third nerve paralysis, which controls the eyelid and eye movements. MRI brain has ruled out any major problem in the brain. Sometimes, inflammation in the region of third nerve can be picked up, if the contrast MRI of brain was also done.
Neurologist has also planned for additional tests to exclude ocular myasthenia gravis, which is also correct.
On the whole, I would agree with the current approach of treatment.
I hope my reply has helped you.
I would be pleased to answer, if you have any follow up queries or if you require any further information.
Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD (Internal Medicine), DM (Neurology) XXXXXXX Consultant Neurologist
Apollo Hospitals, XXXXXXX
For DIRECT QUERY to me: http://bit.ly/Dr-Sudhir-kumar
My blog: http://bestneurodoctor.blogspot.com/
Seems to be on correct line
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for posting your query.
I have noted your symptoms, progress, investigation reports and current treatment.
Findings are suggestive of right third nerve paralysis, which controls the eyelid and eye movements. MRI brain has ruled out any major problem in the brain. Sometimes, inflammation in the region of third nerve can be picked up, if the contrast MRI of brain was also done.
Neurologist has also planned for additional tests to exclude ocular myasthenia gravis, which is also correct.
On the whole, I would agree with the current approach of treatment.
I hope my reply has helped you.
I would be pleased to answer, if you have any follow up queries or if you require any further information.
Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD (Internal Medicine), DM (Neurology) XXXXXXX Consultant Neurologist
Apollo Hospitals, XXXXXXX
For DIRECT QUERY to me: http://bit.ly/Dr-Sudhir-kumar
My blog: http://bestneurodoctor.blogspot.com/
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks Dr. XXXXXXX for your quick reply. I am satisfied with your answers.
I have a couple of questions:
1. Any particular care to be taken while on course of steroids, in terms of physical activity, food habits etc?
2. I work in software industry. Is it better to take rest of right eye, rather than looking into the computer with one eye? As of now I am on medical leave.
3. Is the dosage of steroid (20 mg x 3 tablets in the morning) correct?
4. Will there be a possibility to understand how this occurred i.e is it due to genetics, any atmospheric impacts etc. or is it just the luck factor?
Many thanks for your inputs.
Regards,
Bhat
I have a couple of questions:
1. Any particular care to be taken while on course of steroids, in terms of physical activity, food habits etc?
2. I work in software industry. Is it better to take rest of right eye, rather than looking into the computer with one eye? As of now I am on medical leave.
3. Is the dosage of steroid (20 mg x 3 tablets in the morning) correct?
4. Will there be a possibility to understand how this occurred i.e is it due to genetics, any atmospheric impacts etc. or is it just the luck factor?
Many thanks for your inputs.
Regards,
Bhat
Brief Answer:
Replies are below.
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for getting back.
My replies are below:
1. No specific care, just monitor your blood sugar and blood pressure, which may rise with steroid use.
2. You may start work, once you feel comfortable. Leave is not mandatory.
3. The dose is correct.
4. It is difficult to predict the cause. It is not genetic. Could be infection or some antibodies in blood.
Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology)
Replies are below.
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for getting back.
My replies are below:
1. No specific care, just monitor your blood sugar and blood pressure, which may rise with steroid use.
2. You may start work, once you feel comfortable. Leave is not mandatory.
3. The dose is correct.
4. It is difficult to predict the cause. It is not genetic. Could be infection or some antibodies in blood.
Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology)
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks for your answers, Doctor.
Today I had the follow up check on the same. Couple of tests were done.
Based on the results of the tests, Neurologist concluded that it is the case of allergic infection & nothing serious.
He advised to continue the medication (attached the FollUp report) & taper the dose over a month.
Please take a look & let me know your thoughts in terms of follow up diagnostic & medications suggested.
Couple of final questions from me -
1. Will keeping cloth dipped in warm water & keeping it over the left eye have any benefits or side effects in this case?
2. As part of physical exercise during steroid dosage, can I do jogging on treadmill or should I restrict myself to walking on treadmill?
3. Can I swim in the pool during medication? Or swimming in the pool could impact due to chlorine & other chemicals?
I appreciate your help in clarifying my doubts.
Regards,
Bhat
Today I had the follow up check on the same. Couple of tests were done.
Based on the results of the tests, Neurologist concluded that it is the case of allergic infection & nothing serious.
He advised to continue the medication (attached the FollUp report) & taper the dose over a month.
Please take a look & let me know your thoughts in terms of follow up diagnostic & medications suggested.
Couple of final questions from me -
1. Will keeping cloth dipped in warm water & keeping it over the left eye have any benefits or side effects in this case?
2. As part of physical exercise during steroid dosage, can I do jogging on treadmill or should I restrict myself to walking on treadmill?
3. Can I swim in the pool during medication? Or swimming in the pool could impact due to chlorine & other chemicals?
I appreciate your help in clarifying my doubts.
Regards,
Bhat
Brief Answer:
You can continue all activities.
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for getting back and updating me with your progress.
I agree with the follow up assessments and treatment plan. Answers to your queries are below:
1. May help. No side effects.
2. You can exercise as per your schedule, irrespective of steroid dose.
3. Yes, you can swim.
Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology)
You can continue all activities.
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for getting back and updating me with your progress.
I agree with the follow up assessments and treatment plan. Answers to your queries are below:
1. May help. No side effects.
2. You can exercise as per your schedule, irrespective of steroid dose.
3. Yes, you can swim.
Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology)
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
