While a headache is one of the most common health complaints, that headache located on the right side of the head may be puzzling and worrisome. Some of the possible causes of a headache on one side of your head may help to establish proper diagnosis and treatment of the condition.
Here's a look at what a headache on the right side of your head might mean and when to see a doctor.
Tension Headaches
The most common cause of a headache on one side of the head is a tension headache. Tension headaches often arise from stress, poor posture, or muscle strain. The pain usually feels like a dull, pressing sensation, and it can be on either side of the head, though not uncommonly only on one side at a time.
Migraines
Another very common cause of unilateral headaches is migraines. The headache of a migraine can feel pulsating or throbbing in nature and is commonly accompanied by nausea, sensitivity to light and sound, and even visual disturbances. Sometimes, the pain of a migraine begins on one side of the head, such as the right side, and then radiates over time.
Cluster Headaches
Cluster headaches are rarer but tend to be excruciatingly painful, and their pain often seems to concentrate on one eye or side of the head. The American Migraine Foundation reports that they can occur in clusters or cyclical patterns and usually wake up patients in the middle of the night. Cluster headaches are also more common in men than in women and are often accompanied by redness or tearing of the eye.
Sinus Infections
If your headache is on the right side and coupled with nasal congestion or facial tenderness, this may be caused by a sinus infection. Sinus-related headaches occur because of inflammation to the sinuses, which usually causes localised pain to one area of the head.
When to Seek Medical Help
Most headaches are not serious, but some can be indicative of a problem. The National Headache Foundation recommends immediate medical attention if your headache is sudden and severe, accompanied by neurological symptoms such as confusion or weakness, or if it is related to head trauma.
After all, if the headache recurs frequently or is quite serious on the right side of the head, see a doctor who can make the diagnosis and develop the best treatment. There could be many reasons behind your headache; therefore, see a doctor and get proper professional advice to make it better.
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