Many people experience headaches only on one side of their head. Possible causes of a headache on the right-hand side include medication use, allergies, migraine, and neurological problems.
Headaches are the
Read on to learn more about headaches on the right side of the head and remedies to help manage the pain.
Some conditions typically cause headaches on a singular side while other normally affect both, but can, in instances, be more localized.
Single-sided conditions
A headache on the right side of the head may be caused by:
- Temporal arteritis: Temporal arteritis is an inflammation of the temporal artety, usually just on one side. Other symptoms include fatigue, jaw pain, and tender temples.
- Trigeminal neuralgia: This causes intense pain in the face and head. The pain usually affects only one side at a time. It occurs due to a disruption to the trigeminal nerve at the base of the brain.
- Sinus headaches: Sinus headaches are common in people with a deviated septum. This predisposes them to headaches occurring only on the one side.
Bilateral conditions
Occipital neuralgia typically affects both sides of the head, but can cause one-sided symptoms. Occipital neuralgia occurs when occipital nerves, which run from the top of the spinal cord to the scalp, become damaged or inflamed. Symptoms include sharp pain in the back of the head and neck, and sensitivity to light.
Other causes of headaches can lead to pain across the entire head or just one side.
These include:
- allergies
- an aneurysm, a weak or bulging artery wall
- fatigue
- head injury
- infections, including sinus infections
- fluctuations in blood sugar levels caused by missing meals
- dehydration
- muscle strains or knots in the neck
- tumors
Medication use
Headaches can be a side effect of prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medications. They can also occur due to someone overusing medication, including OTC painkillers such as:
- acetaminophen (Tylenol)
- aspirin
- ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil)
This type of headache is called a medication overuse headache. It is a common type of headache, which may affect
Medication-overuse headaches can be migraines or tension headaches. They may affect both sides of the head or only one, and they do not always affect the same location.
There are over
However, a migraine or a cluster headache are the most likely causes of a headache on one side of the head. Tension headaches may also cause pain on one side in some people.
Migraine
These headaches should not always be on the same side with every episode. Always having a headache on the same side – and not the other side – may indicate a serious complication, such as a tumor.
The severe pulsating sensations or throbbing are usually accompanied by:
- blurred vision
- nausea
- sensitivity to light
- sensitivity to sound
- vomiting
Cluster headaches
Cluster headaches
People typically experience frequent headache attacks for weeks or months before a period of remission. Other symptoms of cluster headaches include:
- facial sweating
- pale or flushed skin
- red or watery eyes
- restlessness
- stuffy or runny nose
- swelling around the affected eye
Tension headaches
Tension headaches are the
They usually affect both sides of the head, but some people may have symptoms on one side only.
Signs include:
- dull, aching pain
- scalp tenderness
- tender or tight shoulder and neck muscles
- tightness or pressure across the forehead, sides, or back of the head
Many headaches resolve themselves without intervention. However, people who experience headaches regularly should make an appointment with their doctor to identify the underlying cause.
Anyone who experiences the following symptoms alongside a headache must seek medical attention urgently:
- vision changes
- confusion
- fever
- head injury
- increased pain during movement
- neck stiffness
- numbness
- personality or cognitive changes
- rash
- sleep disturbances
- slurred speech
- weakness
Some types of headaches can affect just one side of the head, but when headaches occur only on the same side every time, this is a cause for concern and requires a medical evaluation.
Understanding and identifying the location of a headache may make it easier for a doctor to diagnose the type of headache affecting someone and plan appropriate treatment.
For example, headache pain at the front or on one side of the head may indicate migraine or cluster headaches.
Some headaches may go away on their own. People can use at-home treatments, such as OTC pain relief medications or having a nap, to relieve symptoms.
However, if headaches are severe, frequent, progressively painful, or occur alongside other symptoms, including vision changes or slurred speech, people should speak with a doctor.
Dehydration can cause or worsen headache symptoms and headache disorders. Staying adequately hydrated is the best method to prevent dehydration headaches.
To treat this type of headache, doctors typically treat the person’s dehydration, usually by replenishing their fluids.
Migraines often affect one side of the head. An individual person’s migraines should not always be on the same side of the head – and episodes can affect the left side or the right side.
No, a one-sided headache is not always migraine. Other causes include neurological issues, tension headaches, medication side effects, and allergies.
Headaches are a widespread health complaint, affecting most people at least occasionally.
Most headaches are not a cause for concern. Usually, symptoms will resolve within minutes to hours. Alternatively, people can ease symptoms with OTC medications, lifestyle changes, and home remedies.
People should see a doctor if headaches are severe, persistent, or get progressively worse. Even if a migraine or a cluster headache is responsible for the pain, a doctor can prescribe treatments to manage symptoms and reduce the frequency of the headaches.