Why You May Have Watery Eyes During A Migraine Episode

If there is one surefire way that your health can ruin your day, it's the pounding pain of a headache. And they are surprisingly common. Headaches are the most common reason people call out from work or school, as well as one of the most common complaints people bring to their healthcare providers, according to Cleveland Clinic.

As much as headaches can derail a person's day, migraines can bring it to a screeching halt. Penn Medicine explains that, unlike headaches, migraines are a neurological disorder. Headaches are only one component, and migraines can bring an onslaught of additional symptoms. And while some, like sensitivity to light and sound, might be understandable, others are a bit more baffling.

The United Kingdom's National Health Service (NHS) lists several additional migraine symptoms. These include nausea, feeling incredibly hot or cold, and excessive sweating among others.

These symptoms are similar to those listed by the American Migraine Foundation, but the foundation adds a few more to the list. One of the symptoms they include is watery eyes, which is listed as a sinus-related symptom. This still leaves the question, however, of how the two are connected.

The American Migraine Foundation states that migraines often cause sinus-related symptoms. And the experience is not uncommon. According to the Foundation, 45% of people with migraines also report symptoms related to their sinuses.

And the number of people who experience migraines with sinus symptoms may be even higher. The Foundation goes on to explain that many people think that they have a sinus headache when in reality they're experiencing a migraine with sinus symptoms. An estimated 95% of self-diagnosed sinus headaches are actually migraines, according to the Foundation.

There isn't much research on what exactly causes these symptoms when a migraine hits, but the people at the National Headache Foundation do offer some insight. In response to someone writing in and asking about eye issues during migraines, the Foundation states that increased activity in the nerves around the eyes lead to autonomic responses. They explain that autonomic responses include stuffy noses, watering eyes, and the always-annoying nose drip.

The Foundation doesn't offer any insights on how to fix the issue. They do, however, recommend talking to a medical provider to find the best treatment for each migraine.