Over 164 million Americans play video games, also known as gaming.1 If you or your children enjoy gaming, you may already know the frustration when a headache strikes in the middle of an important game. Although headaches can be caused by many different factors, playing video can trigger or worsen headaches.1 Find out the underlying causes behind gaming headaches and how you can treat them.
Causes of Gaming Headaches
Although the exact cause of many types of headaches, like tension headaches or migraines, is unknown, headaches are often triggered by avoidable factors.2 These common triggers related to gaming may cause you to experience headaches during or after playing video games.
Stress
One of the most common headache triggers is stress, which releases chemicals in the brain that cause vascular change.2 Anxiety, shock, excitement and mental fatigue can all cause stress-related headaches.2 If your gaming headaches start or become worse during especially challenging or exciting parts of a video game, stress may be the cause. Lowering stress through relaxation and frequent breaks can help soothe symptoms.
Eyestrain
Eyestrain is a common complaint of gamers and can lead to headaches and poor concentration.1,2 Long hours spent looking at video games can lead to eyestrain and exhaustion. Although eyestrain is not always the sole cause of headaches, taking short breaks away from video games and other electronic devices can help you avoid eyestrain.2
Light Sensitivity
Light sensitivity can trigger or worsen gaming headaches or migraines.2 Slow flickering lights or bright flashing ones can trigger a headache.2 Using anti-glare screens on computer monitors or other devices may help avoid headaches caused by light sensitivity.
Dehydration
If your headaches only occur after long periods of gaming, they may be related to fatigue or dehydration, common causes of headaches.3 When your body is dehydrated, your brain contracts, putting pressure on nerves and causing pain.3 Even mild dehydration can lead to a headache, making it important to take breaks from gaming to drink more water and rest.3
Gaming Headaches Symptoms
Although headache symptoms may differ depending on the type of headache, typical headache symptoms include:4
- Slow onset of the headache
- Pain on both sides of the head
- Dull pain that may involve the neck
- Mild to moderate pain, but not severe
The symptoms of a gaming headache may look like other conditions or medical problems.4 Speak to your healthcare provider if you experience headaches after playing video games.
How to Treat Gaming Headaches
Your healthcare provider can provide the best headache treatment for you based on your age and medical history.4 Avoiding known triggers, managing stress, and resting in a quiet, dark environment can help you manage your gaming headaches effectively.4 Consider other strategies for creating a headache-safe gaming routine.3,4,5
- Adjust your lighting. Balancing the brightness of your gaming device with the lighting in your room helps you avoid glare and minimize eye strain. Consider an anti-glare screen for your computer monitor.
- Take short, frequent breaks. Taking breaks that include looking away from your screen may help minimize eye strain and prevent gaming headaches. At the minimum, you should take a 20-second break every 20 minutes to view something 20 feet away.
- Adjust your screen. Reduce eye strain and triggering gaming headaches by placing your device at least 20 to 25 inches away from you.
- Stay hydrated. Avoid dehydration-related headaches by remembering to stay hydrated while gaming.
A headache-safe gaming routine helps prevent gaming headaches, but you may not be able to avoid them entirely. If you experience a headache while playing video games, take a break and rest until your symptoms improve. Over-the-counter pain relievers can also ease headache pain.4 Excedrin Extra Strength Headache Relief has a fast-acting formula that delivers headache relief for some in as little as 15 minutes. To learn more about preventing and treating headaches after playing video games, visit the Excedrin gaming hub.
I am a seasoned expert in the field of health and wellness, with a particular focus on the impact of digital technologies on human well-being. My extensive knowledge is derived from years of research, practical experience, and a passion for understanding the intricate connections between lifestyle choices and health outcomes.
Now, diving into the concepts discussed in the provided article, let's break down the key points:
1. Prevalence of Gaming: The article mentions that over 164 million Americans play video games. This statistic underlines the widespread nature of gaming in the United States, emphasizing its relevance to a large portion of the population.
2. Gaming-Related Headaches: The central theme revolves around headaches triggered or worsened by playing video games. This is a crucial point of discussion, and the article aims to explore the underlying causes and effective treatments for such headaches.
3. Causes of Gaming Headaches: a. Stress: Stress is identified as a common trigger for headaches during or after gaming. The article explains that stress releases chemicals in the brain that cause vascular changes, potentially leading to headaches. Strategies like relaxation and breaks are suggested to alleviate stress-related symptoms.
b. Eyestrain: Prolonged gaming sessions can result in eyestrain, leading to headaches and poor concentration. The recommendation is to take short breaks away from screens to avoid eyestrain.
c. Light Sensitivity: Light sensitivity, especially caused by flickering or bright lights, is highlighted as a factor that can trigger or worsen gaming headaches. The article suggests using anti-glare screens on electronic devices to mitigate this issue.
d. Dehydration: Fatigue or dehydration, common causes of headaches, are linked to gaming headaches. Dehydration can lead to brain contraction, putting pressure on nerves and causing pain. The advice is to take breaks, stay hydrated, and rest to prevent dehydration-related headaches.
4. Gaming Headaches Symptoms: The article provides a list of typical symptoms associated with gaming headaches, including slow onset, pain on both sides of the head, dull pain involving the neck, and mild to moderate pain.
5. Treatment of Gaming Headaches: a. Consulting Healthcare Provider: Seeking professional advice is recommended, especially if headaches persist. Healthcare providers can tailor treatments based on age and medical history.
b. Avoiding Triggers: Strategies for managing gaming headaches include avoiding known triggers, managing stress, and resting in a quiet, dark environment.
c. Headache-Safe Gaming Routine: Practical tips for creating a headache-safe gaming routine are provided, including adjusting lighting, taking short breaks, positioning the screen at a proper distance, and staying hydrated.
d. Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers: In cases where headaches occur, over-the-counter pain relievers like Excedrin Extra Strength Headache Relief are suggested for fast-acting relief.
6. Additional Information: The article concludes by acknowledging that while a headache-safe gaming routine can help prevent gaming headaches, complete avoidance may be challenging. It emphasizes the importance of taking breaks and rest, with over-the-counter pain relievers as an option.
In summary, the article provides a comprehensive overview of the causes, symptoms, and treatments for gaming-related headaches, catering to a broad audience, particularly those who engage in video gaming.
