Why Do Some People Get Headaches from Reading Printed Books for Hours?

Headaches from reading printed books for long periods may be due to an imbalance between visual fatigue and blood flow in the brain.

Main causes

• Prolonged visual fatigue: Focusing on small text or reading in poor lighting forces the eyes to maintain concentration, which creates tension in the eye muscles.
• Reduced blinking: Intense concentration lowers the natural blinking rate, which dries out the eyes and increases the visual workload.
• Poor posture: Keeping the head tilted or reading at an incorrect distance strains the neck and spine, affecting blood circulation.

In addition, prolonged reading can trigger a neuralgic response similar to a migraine in predisposed individuals, especially those who already have sensory hypersensitivity.

Practical recommendations

1. The 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet (6 meters) away for 20 seconds to relax your eyes.
2. Proper lighting: Avoid direct glare and use soft light that illuminates the entire reading area.
3. Postural breaks: Sit with your back straight, keep the screen or book at a distance of 15-20 cm (6-8 inches), and take breaks every 45 minutes.
4. Hydration and nutrition: Dehydration or low magnesium levels can worsen muscle tension.

If the headaches are recurrent, it's advisable to consult a headache specialist to rule out issues such as visual migraines or binocular vision disorders.