The right side of the skull hurts. Headache on the right: diagnosis, therapy and emergency care

Headache is one of the main symptoms of more than 40 different pathologies, the causes of which are radically different from each other. In cases where a person has pain on one side of the head, the range of possible ailments is noticeably reduced. However, in order to make an accurate diagnosis, it will be necessary to take into account a number of accompanying signs of the disease, as well as resort to instrumental and laboratory studies.

Among the pathologies that can lead to the development of unilateral headache, there are several main ones.

Diseases of the oral cavity

Unpleasant sensations can be caused by problems with the teeth and other ailments that have developed inside the oral cavity. In such cases, the pain affects the temporal region from the side of the injury.

Temporal arteritis

This is an autoimmune disorder associated with inflammation of large and medium-sized arteries. It is usually observed in people over 50 years of age and is manifested by headaches, redness of the skin of the head, bouts of insomnia and depression.

If you suspect temporal arteritis, you should immediately seek medical help, since the lack of the necessary therapeutic effect causes loss of vision.

intracranial bleeding

In case of damage to the vessels supplying the brain, an intracranial hematoma is formed. Often this is due to thinning of the vascular walls or their congenital defects. The growth of the bruise causes an increase in the level of intracranial pressure. In this case, the patient has a shooting headache, accompanied by a slowing of the heartbeat, confusion, general lethargy, as well as vomiting and convulsive seizures.

cluster pain

Unilateral paroxysmal sensations appearing in the front of the head near the eyes, occur predominantly in men. Bursting and shooting pains are usually so strong that they prevent a person from carrying out normal life activities. In addition, the patient suffers from the following manifestations of pathology:

tearing;
runny nose;
tides;
eye redness.

The main symptom of cluster pain is their periodicity. They appear at the same time of day. The duration of the attacks ranges from several minutes to one hour, and the interval between them is always the same.

The headache disappears as suddenly as it appears. It is impossible to stop it with conventional analgesics, this requires medications specially prescribed by a doctor, or oxygen therapy.

ENT diseases

Chronic sinusitis (sinusitis) and acute tonsillitis are factors that can lead to the appearance of edema that irritates the nerve endings, causing pain in any part of the head.

Migraine

This term comes from the ancient Greek word "hemicrania", which means "half of the head." Indeed, this pathological condition is characterized by the occurrence of unilateral shooting pains, which later become throbbing.

The frequency of attacks varies (although not more than eight times in one month), and the duration ranges from 3-4 hours to several days. In addition to pain, a person feels nausea and photophobia. In rare cases, the attack is preceded by an aura, during which there are:

problems with concentration;
clouding in the eyes;
hallucinations (visual and auditory).

It is believed that people with a genetic predisposition to this disease suffer from migraine, while there is no medicine that can permanently eliminate headaches. Currently used anti-migraine therapy can only reduce the duration and frequency of attacks.

Tumors

Neoplasms of the brain cause an increase in intracranial pressure and the subsequent spread of pain syndrome, which is dull, bursting or shooting. There are other symptoms of pathology:

changes in the psycho-emotional sphere;
bouts of dizziness and vomiting;
significant and sudden weight loss;
epileptic seizures.

The patient's condition worsens with severe nervous shocks and stress.

Pathologies of the spinal column

The pain is localized near the neck on the right or left relative to its center line and is characterized as aching or dull. Unpleasant sensations are aggravated by turning and other movements of the head. Unilateral pain caused by problems with the spine is most often observed in people over 35 years of age and in those who lead a sedentary lifestyle.

Costen's syndrome

The disease can be associated with trauma to the temporomandibular joint, rheumatism, gout, and the presence of some infectious pathologies. With Kosten's syndrome, the ear and head hurt on one side, but there is also a burning sensation on the tongue and a feeling of dryness in the mouth. The exact diagnosis is determined only with the help of x-rays.

Tension pain

Tension headaches are another name for this pathological condition. This ailment is characterized by a moderate severity of pain syndrome, covering one of the sides of the head or the central part of the forehead.

Tension pains that worsen in the evening are described as dull and squeezing. Associated symptoms include:

pronounced sensitivity to sound stimuli;
sleep problems;
state of fatigue.

The transition of the disease into a chronic form is observed only in 3% of cases, and it is usually not possible to determine what provoked the development of the disease.

Traumatic brain injury

TBI is often accompanied by throbbing and sharp headaches on the side of the injury. In this case, the presence of the injury itself can be detected much later. Other notable signs of TBI are:

nausea and vomiting;
general weakness;
dizziness;
tinnitus.

Symptoms become more pronounced with sudden movements.

Diagnostics

Treatment of the above diseases cannot be started without a preliminary examination. The first thing a doctor needs to make a correct diagnosis is a detailed history of the pathology. The patient needs to describe the nature of the pain that occurs, their frequency and duration, as well as the symptoms of the disease.

In some cases, a person's condition can only be assessed using instrumental (MRI, CT, ECG, ultrasound) or laboratory (blood test, hormonal levels) research methods. Only on the basis of these data can decisions be made about which therapeutic course is the most effective in each individual case.

Outcome

Sometimes the headache goes away on its own and doesn't come back. However, relapses occur most often, and each time the pain syndrome becomes stronger. Such an ailment must be treated, because without the necessary therapy, the pathology often becomes chronic.

To date, medical practice has more than 30 types of headaches. It varies in intensity, duration, accompanying symptoms. There are a huge number of reasons that can provoke a violation of well-being.

If the right side of the head hurts, then discomfort can be caused by circulatory pathologies, tumor processes, various syndromes and other pathological processes.

Migraine

Migraine is a disease caused by a disorder of the nervous system. There are suggestions that it develops due to impaired blood supply to the brain, pathology of neuronal conduction, stenosis, that is, narrowing, of the vessels of the neck, etc.

The exact causes of migraines have not yet been established.

Ask your question to a neurologist for free

Irina Martynova. Graduated from the Voronezh State Medical University. N.N. Burdenko. Clinical intern and neurologist of BUZ VO "Moscow polyclinic".

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Symptoms
With a migraine, the head almost always hurts on the right or left. Unilateral dull or shooting intense pain that persists for several hours is a characteristic symptom of this disease. Attacks can happen rarely, 1-2 times a year, or often, 3-4 times a month. In rare cases, migraines in patients recur every few days.

Immediately before an attack, most patients experience a number of neurological signs, which are also called "aura":

Visual impairment, "black dots" before the eyes;
Tingling in the fingertips or palms;
Olfactory, auditory or visual hallucinations;
Inability to concentrate, disinhibition, problems with the expression of thoughts.
A mandatory sign of the aura is the preservation of the same symptoms before each attack.

Migraine pain is often unbearable, throbbing, and lasts up to 72 hours.

During this period, the patient feels a desire to be in a dark and quiet room, his condition is accompanied by or, photophobia.
Diagnostics
The diagnosis is made according to the results of a physical examination: the doctor checks the general condition of the patient, his reflexes, reaction. This allows you to exclude various pathologies in which the patient may also be disturbed by a headache on the right: thrombosis, hypoplasia of the vessels of the neck.

If necessary, the specialist may prescribe additional examinations: MRI, SCT, examination of the vessels of the neck and brain.

Treatment
The neurologist deals with the treatment of the disease. Treatment includes analgesics, complexes with B vitamins to improve the conduction of brain neurons. In some cases, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or antispasmodics help patients. If the patient has a migraine status, that is, attacks are repeated more often than 1 time per week, then the doctor also prescribes b-adrenergic receptor blockers and more powerful combined analgesics.

All therapy for each patient is selected individually. In addition, patients can find ways to reduce discomfort on their own: someone is helped by being in the fresh air, sleeping, scalp, applying Star balm and eucalyptus essential oil to the temples, etc.

Cervical osteochondrosis

Another common reason why the right side of the head hurts is osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. Disease develops due to the destruction of intervertebral cartilage.

Pain in osteochondrosis is localized at the base of the skull on the right, is aching in nature.

Symptoms
Headache with osteochondrosis may be accompanied by discomfort in the neck, lower jaw, and the area behind the ears. Often the discomfort is aggravated by eye movement. In severe cases, the patient may complain of dizziness, loss of consciousness and tinnitus when trying to turn his head.
Diagnostics
The diagnosis is usually made on the basis of examination of the patient and the collection of complaints: restrictions on the mobility of the neck, crunching and clicking when turning the head are detected, in severe cases, deformations of the vertebrae are palpated.

If it is difficult to determine the cause of the pain, then the doctor may prescribe an x-ray or computed tomography of the cervical spine.

Treatment
The treatment of osteochondrosis is carried out by a rheumatologist or vertebrologist - a specialist in diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Therapy includes physiotherapy, exercise therapy, massages. The patient should take anti-inflammatory drugs, to restore cartilage tissue, analgesics.

cluster headaches

If the right side of the head hurts so badly that it interferes with the patient's normal life, then we can assume that he has cluster pains. it syndrome, the cause of which has not yet been determined. The attack begins suddenly and lasts from 10-15 minutes to an hour.

And it manifests itself so strongly that, without timely relief, it can bring the patient to suicide attempts.

Symptoms
Concomitant symptoms of cluster pain are noise in the head, redness of the eyes, the appearance of a liquid discharge from the nose. The attack is always localized in one side of the head. Men are most susceptible to this syndrome; in women, cluster pain is extremely rare.
Diagnostics
The diagnosis is made by questioning the patient. Cluster headaches have a specific clinical picture, which makes diagnosis easier. If it is possible to examine the patient directly during an attack, then the doctor notes the moisture of the skin, redness and tearing of the eyes, swelling of the eyelids.
Treatment
The disease is treated by a neurologist. He prescribes therapy aimed at the prevention and relief of seizures:

Breathing 100% oxygen through a mask;
Intranasal administration of sprays with lidocaine or somatostatin.

During an attack of pain, the patient is shown to be in a darkened cool room.

Some patients benefit from scalp massage or vigorous exercise.

A patient with cluster headaches should not take painkillers or anti-inflammatory drugs without consulting a doctor, as in most cases they do not have the desired effect.

Tumor processes

Brain tumors are manifested by pain syndrome, which increases as the neoplasm grows. The pain is intense, bursting in nature, accompanied by a violation of well-being, tremor of the limbs, bleeding from the nose, which can be caused by excessive intracranial pressure.
Symptoms
If the tumor is located on the right side, then the patient complains of headaches on the right side. It can be both intermittent and permanent. The patient's condition is gradually deteriorating, tumor growth is accompanied by a gradual impairment of intelligence, inappropriate behavior, unmotivated aggression, tearfulness or absent-mindedness.

The patient quickly loses weight, experiences nausea, dizziness, and loses appetite. There may be epileptic seizures, frequent fainting, bouts of disorientation.

Diagnostics
Magnetic resonance imaging is prescribed to make a diagnosis. If the tumor grows through the bones of the skull, a biopsy may be performed. The collected histological material is sent to the laboratory for analysis. After receiving the results, the doctor can not only accurately establish the diagnosis, but also determine the nature of the neoplasm.
Treatment
Therapy of tumor processes in the brain is carried out by an oncologist and a neurologist. The patient is prescribed cytostatic agents to destroy pathological cells, painkillers. If necessary, anticonvulsants and sedatives are used.

If it is possible to remove the tumor partially or completely, then surgery is performed.

intracranial bleeding

Intense, accompanied by depression of consciousness, headache in the right side of the head indicates the development of intracranial hemorrhage. Pathology occurs as a result of injury or anomalies in the work of blood vessels: formation of an aneurysm with subsequent rupture, destruction of the vascular wall during thrombosis, etc.
Symptoms
Characteristic signs of pathology develop only after a few hours or even days. This period is called the "light gap". Then the patient's condition begins to deteriorate sharply: headaches appear, consciousness and speech are inhibited, disorientation develops. Increased intracranial pressure and resulting hematomas can cause the patient to experience repeated vomiting, spasms and convulsions, and loss of consciousness.

In case of a head injury, even if there are no external signs of damage, it is recommended to consult a doctor to prevent intracranial bleeding and other disorders.

Diagnostics
To detect intracranial bleeding, EEG, magnetic resonance imaging, and x-ray of the skull are used.
Treatment
If bleeding is detected, an emergency surgical intervention is performed to remove the hematoma and restore the normal functioning of the vessel.

The surgeon and neurologist are involved in the treatment of the disease.

Injuries

The head may ache after an injury. There are many reasons for discomfort: bruise, concussion, skull fracture etc.
Symptoms
Signs vary depending on the type of pathology, however, a number of symptoms characteristic of any head injury can be distinguished:

The affected half of the head hurts a lot;
There is nausea, dizziness;
There is a desire to lie down;
Loss of appetite;
Drowsiness and weakness develop.

Diagnostics
To establish what kind of damage the injury caused, an x-ray of the skull, computed tomography, and ultrasound of the brain vessels are performed.

All kinds of measures for differential diagnosis are prescribed after establishing a preliminary diagnosis.

Treatment
Depending on the type of injury, a head injury is treated by a surgeon, a neurosurgeon, or a neuropathologist. General principles of therapy include providing complete rest to the patient, injections of B vitamins and magnesium, and the use of analgesics.

concussion

A concussion is one of the types of head injuries, in which functional connections between nerve cells are disrupted.

The headache in this disease is quite intense, pressing, throbbing.

Symptoms
Concussion is also manifested by nausea, often a single vomiting. A few minutes or hours after the injury, the patient becomes lethargic, drowsy, may complain of memory impairment or confusion.
Diagnostics
Diagnostic measures include x-rays and CT scans. The doctor examines the pupils of the patient, asks to perform some neurological tests.
Treatment
Therapy of the disease is carried out by a neurologist or a neurosurgeon, depending on the clinical picture of the injury.

Treatment includes the use of analgesics and sedatives, multivitamin complexes.

Costen's syndrome

Costen's syndrome is pathology of the jaw joints, manifested by clicking and crunching when opening the mouth, pain in the affected half of the head. The exact cause of the development of the disease has not yet been precisely established.
Symptoms
With Costen's syndrome, pain spreads to the cheekbone, ear, and temple. It gets worse when talking or chewing.

Patients complain of impaired jaw mobility, the appearance of facial asymmetry.

Diagnostics
For an accurate diagnosis, it is necessary to conduct an x-ray of the lower jaw and perform electromyography, a procedure that allows you to examine the condition of the masticatory muscles.
Treatment
With Costen's syndrome, treatment may be prescribed by a surgeon, neurologist or ENT, depending on what factors stimulated the development of the disease.

Therapy includes the use of chondroprotectors, anti-inflammatory drugs, magnetic wave physiotherapy, muscle relaxants.

Oral diseases

Often, various diseases of the oral cavity can also cause headaches. This is especially true for various pathologies of the teeth. Painful syndrome with such disorders is usually acute and short-term.
Symptoms
Symptoms appear depending on the nature of the disease. The pain is usually shooting, localized in the cheekbone, temple and forehead on the affected side. Often disappears soon after the use of analgesics.
Diagnostics
To establish a diagnosis, the dentist or ENT examines the patient's oral cavity, the orthodontist evaluates the bite of the teeth.

If necessary, an X-ray of the jaw can be performed.

Treatment
Therapy is carried out in accordance with the established diagnosis. Includes, as a rule, the use of anti-inflammatory and painkillers. At pathology of teeth sanitation of an oral cavity is shown.

Tonsillitis

Tonsillitis - protracted inflammatory process in the pharyngeal and palatine tonsils. The headache in this disease is localized on one side, giving to the ear and neck.
Symptoms
The characteristic signs of tonsillitis are difficulty swallowing, sore throat, fatigue, and a general disturbance of well-being.
Diagnostics
Diagnosis includes examination, palpation of the ear and cervical lymph nodes, a blood test for the presence of inflammatory processes in the body.
Treatment
Therapy of tonsillitis is carried out by the ENT. Treatment includes antiviral or antibacterial agents, anti-inflammatory drugs, and sore throat remedies.

When is it necessary to see a doctor?

Seek medical attention if you experience the following symptoms:

Headache persists for several hours and is not relieved by analgesics or increases rapidly over a short period of time;
Discomfort caused by a bruise or other injury;
The pain syndrome is accompanied by nosebleeds, loss of consciousness, disorientation;
Pain in the head appears and disappears within a few days;
You notice visual impairment, gait disturbance, finger tremors, or asymmetry of facial features.

If you have a headache attack, then take a pain medication and ensure that you are completely calm: turn off the lights in the room, lie down and try to take a nap or relax.

If the pain intensifies, call an ambulance and report in detail about the symptoms that bother you.

Crib

Pain in the right side of the head can be caused by various diseases.
Migraine. The pain is unilateral, intense and prolonged (up to 72 hours), may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting and photophobia. Before the attack "aura" - neurological signs.
Cervical osteochondrosis. The pain is right-sided, at the base of the skull, accompanied by dizziness, jumps in blood pressure and impaired consciousness.
cluster headaches. Paroxysmal right-sided headache in the region of the eye, lasting up to an hour, with reddening of the eye, noise in the head and discharge from the nose.
Oncology. Pain at the advanced stage, intense, bursting, constant, accompanied by weight loss, loss of appetite and dizziness.
Intracranial bleeding. Intense right-sided headache, accompanied by depression of consciousness.
Trauma (concussion, bruise) Pain in the affected part, weakness, drowsiness and nausea are observed.
Kosten's syndrome. Pain in the jaw, temple, ear on one side, aggravated by chewing, talking.
Diseases of the oral cavity (dental pathology, tonsillitis). The pain is paroxysmal, shooting in nature, localized in the affected area.
Diagnosis: examination, questioning, checking reflexes, MRI, radiography, ultrasound of cerebral vessels. With pathologies of the oral cavity - examination of the dentist and ENT.
The neuropathologist is engaged in treatment. Etiotropic treatment is to eliminate the cause that caused the pain. Relief of symptoms - analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs.

Most people sooner or later face a headache: during stress, when the weather changes, in the transition period for the body. At the same time, some of the patients complain about the localization of unpleasant sensations only on one side, more often on the right. Such an unpleasant phenomenon can become a symptom of a serious illness. Doctors say that a headache on the right side, which appears more often than 5 times a month, is a reason for a full medical examination.

Why does the right side of my head hurt?

Cephalgia (the medical name for headache) is the result of a change in the weather, nervous strain, diligent mental activity or stress. At the same time, one tablet of a mild anesthetic is enough to completely remove an unpleasant symptom. If only the right side of the head constantly hurts, this is an occasion to consult a doctor. Among the medical problems associated with right-sided pain syndrome, there are:

inflammatory processes of the frontal sinuses;
osteochondrosis;
arthritis;
head and lower jaw injuries;
dental diseases;
internal bleeding;
malignant tumors;
glaucoma;
migraine;
increased intracranial pressure;
eye diseases;
pathologies of the cardiovascular system - hypertension, stroke;
infectious viral diseases;
temporal arteritis.

Behind

When the back of the head hurts, many attribute this symptom to ordinary fatigue, lack of sleep, and overexertion. Doctors are not so tolerant of this phenomenon, arguing that cephalgia of the occipital part is the result of:

Exacerbations of cervical osteochondrosis. The main evidence that this disease has become the culprit of discomfort is a strong, shooting pain during tilting the head or performing physical exertion.
Inflammation of the right occipital nerve. At first, the patient is haunted by a dull, aching pain of the whole head, but over time, an unpleasant phenomenon is mixed into one point on the back of the head. The cause of inflammation is: sleeping in an uncomfortable position, the wrong choice of pillow, hypothermia.
Myogelosis. The transformation of part of the nerves into connective tissue is a common cause of constant aching headache, which is aggravated by turning the head.
Increased intracranial pressure. With this disease, patients describe pain as a sharp blow to the crown region on the right side. Additional symptoms are dizziness, tinnitus, darkening of the eyes, weakness, nausea.
Injuries of the spine or cervical region. The back of the head will hurt constantly, while the sensations intensify during pressure on the site of the lesion.
Neck migraine. Dislocation of soreness on the right side of the back of the head, which is periodic, is the main symptom of migraine.

Behind the ear

If the head hurts on the right side behind the ear, the first thing to do is to suspect infectious and inflammatory diseases, spasm of the blood vessels behind the ear, inflammation of the lymph nodes or nerve endings. These conditions can lead to:

Otitis media is an inflammatory disease that affects hearing. During otitis, patients complain of severe shooting pain behind one of the ears, which eventually spreads throughout the head. Without treatment, symptoms such as discharge of pus from the auricle, hearing loss, and fever may appear in the future.
Lymphadenitis - inflammation of the lymph nodes located near the right ear. The pain is dull, aggravated by pressure on the affected lymph node.
Mumps or mumps is an inflammation of the salivary glands located behind the ears. The disease is accompanied by fever, swelling of the lymph nodes, stabbing pain when folding, talking or turning the neck.

When the head hurts behind the ear, the cause of the appearance of an unpleasant symptom may be hidden not in the ear itself, but in other organs. Implicit problems of cephalalgia of the head:

Caries, periodontitis, pulpitis. Suppuration of the gums, destruction of tooth enamel can lead to inflammation of adjacent tissues and nerves. Such pain often spreads further, affecting the area behind the ear.
Inflammation of the trigeminal nerve. Neuralgia of sensitive endings located in the lower part of the face can give back to the ear.
Sinusitis, sinusitis. Sinus congestion is another symptom of aching or shooting pain behind the ears.

Temple

Headache on the right in the temporal lobe occurs due to alcohol abuse, severe stress, nervous strain, sunstroke. Often this symptom occurs in women during menstruation or in those who are trying to lose weight through fasting or a strict diet. There are times when the temple hurts for medical reasons. The nature of the headache helps determine the cause:

A strong pulsation in the right temple indicates a possible increase in intracranial pressure, beginning migraine, spasm of the arteries of the brain.
Shooting pain on the right side of the head is the cause of insomnia, trigeminal neurosis, arteritis.
The aching symptom is psychogenic in nature. It occurs as a result of severe stress, during depression, mental overstrain.
Dull pain syndrome is a sign of traumatic brain injury, emotional shock.
Pressing intense pulsation occurs during exacerbation of cervical osteochondrosis, osteoarthritis, atherosclerosis.

Above

A common cause of cephalalgia of the crown of the head is an increasing migraine. In this case, the patient has other symptoms - photophobia, dizziness, nausea. In addition to the obvious, this symptom may indicate the beginning of the pathological process. The right side of the head hurts from above as a result of infections, systemic diseases, injuries. Doctors identify several likely causes:

Purulent inflammation of the paranasal sinuses provokes a pulsation in the frontal part, crown, temples. It hurts the patient to bend or turn his head.
Meningitis is a serious infectious disease. In addition to the pain syndrome, photophobia, elevated body temperature, and fear of loud sounds testify to its presence.
Encephalitis is a difficult-to-diagnose inflammation of the brain. Often the disease proceeds with clinical signs characteristic of meningitis, but sometimes moderate headaches are inherent in it.
Hypertension or hypotension. Patients describe pain from above as pressing. In this case, there is a decrease or increase in the pulse rate, fluctuations in blood pressure.
Oncological diseases of the brain provoke aching constant pain that does not go away after taking painkillers and increases with time.
A stroke causes a sharp and violent attack of cephalalgia, extending from one side of the head. Often this condition is accompanied by loss of consciousness, impaired coordination of movements.

Forehead

It can hurt on the right side of the frontal lobe due to alcohol intake, stress, as a result of injuries. Among the many reasons, the most likely doctors distinguish:

Viruses and infections. Acute, aching pain in the frontal part of the head occurs with colds, SARS, acute respiratory infections, influenza, frontal sinusitis, sinusitis, ethmoiditis.
Eating unhealthy foods - convenience foods, fast food and other products that contain a lot of food additives, flavors, dyes.
Diseases of the cardiovascular system provoke acute, stabbing or cutting cephalalgia. Discomfort may affect the forehead, temporal lobe, eyes, crown.
Diseases of the nervous system - migraines, cluster headaches, neuroses. With neuralgia of the optic nerves, cephalgia is of a stabbing character. It can be sudden, shooting. With migraines and cluster syndrome, there is a throbbing sensation in the forehead.

Right hemisphere and eye

Cephalgia on the right side of the head, extending into the eye, can occur for various reasons - from the most harmless reasons to quite serious problems that require immediate medical attention. In order not to risk your health, with frequent pain it is better to take tests and undergo an examination. Possible diagnoses:

Overwork. If the right side of the head and the right eye hurt, and at the same time the discomfort is only temporary (they appear after a long work at the computer, watching TV), there is a high probability of overstrain of the optic nerves. Try to rest more, sleep, walk on the street.
Glaucoma causes tingling of the eye, blurred vision.
Spasms of the blood vessels of the cervical region lead to the appearance of a dull, aching cephalalgia, which can radiate to the right eye. There are spasms due to sharp turns of the neck, hypothermia, increased sports.
Intracranial hematoma, a consequence of trauma, contusion, concussion. Over time, such conditions can lead to the appearance of severe pain, similar in nature and duration to a migraine.
Vascular aneurysm or cerebral angiodystonia is another cause of throbbing acute pain in the eye, which is aggravated by tilting or turning the head.

Part of the head and neck

Cephalgia on the right side of the head and neck affects people with sedentary work: drivers, programmers, writers. Almost all the causes of an unpleasant symptom are associated with the musculoskeletal system. These include:

Cervical osteochondrosis. The disease is often found in elderly patients and those who organize their workplace incorrectly, lead a sedentary lifestyle. At rest, the discomfort is muffled, aching in nature, but as soon as the neck is turned, the symptoms intensify.
Spinal injury. Often manifested by pain syndrome some time after receiving. Unpleasant sensations are aggravated by movement, in the morning when getting out of bed.
Violation of the blood supply due to atherosclerosis or hypertension. Such cephalgia manifests itself periodically, can cause severe discomfort and does not go away after taking painkillers.
Occipital neuralgia is characterized by acute headache radiating to the neck, temples, forehead, eyes.

What symptoms accompany pain in the head on the right side

With frequent headaches, you should not self-medicate and take analgesics uncontrollably, it is better to consult a doctor and accurately determine the cause of the ailment. During a hospital visit, it is important not only to describe the nature of the cephalalgia, but also to report other symptoms (if any). Additional clinical signs will help the doctor decide on the necessary tests and prescribe treatment faster. Each type of pathology has its own manifestations.

For migraine

Severe, growing, throbbing pain in the head with migraine is often accompanied by:

visual disturbances - vagueness of the picture, increased photosensitivity;
pain, spasms in the eye area;
bouts of nausea, severe vomiting;
intolerance to extraneous noise;
tingling or numbness of the fingertips;
depression, fatigue, loss of appetite a few hours before the attack;
sometimes loss of consciousness.

Scientists say that migraine attacks are most prone to women from 20 to 40 years old. This is due to frequent changes in hormonal levels, a low threshold of psychological calmness, and menopause. In addition, there is a high probability of getting the disease by inheritance. It is believed that genetic predisposition is the main cause of migraine.

Cluster pain attacks

They persecute young men who smoke, abuse alcohol, and work in hazardous industries. Attacks are described by patients as a sudden shooting in the right side of the head, radiating to the temple, eye, forehead, or cheeks. Cluster syndrome is characterized by the presence of such symptoms:

high blood pressure;
sensations of squeezing or bursting of the eye sockets;
hemorrhages in the retina of the eye (effect of burst vessels);
nasal congestion;
spontaneous lacrimation.

For intracranial bleeding

Pathology can occur due to trauma to the skull, high blood pressure, stroke. This often causes a sudden, sharp headache on the right side. The characteristic signs of intracranial pressure are:

inhibition of reactions;
violation of speech, clarity of thinking;
loss of orientation in space;
the occurrence of severe nausea, vomiting;
drowsiness;
clouding of consciousness;
different pupil sizes;
high blood pressure.

With osteochondrosis

The chance of getting cervical osteochondrosis, according to doctors, increases significantly in people who do not monitor their diet, lead a sedentary or sedentary lifestyle. Often the disease attacks people over the age of 40 years. Cervical osteochondrosis is characterized by the presence of migraine on the right or left side of the head, which is aggravated by tilting the torso or turning the neck. Other obvious signs are:

noise in ears;
dizziness;
burning sensation on top of the spine;
crunching when turning the head;
neck numbness;
tingling of the hands or feet;
burning between the shoulder blades;
weakness, fatigue.

With Costen's syndrome

Another name for the syndrome is a disease of the temporomandibular joint. The disease is characterized by a neurological and arthrological symptom complex, the presence of pain and burning in the pharynx, cervical spine. Other signs include:

inflammation of the trigeminal nerve;
herpetic eruptions on the ears, mucous membranes of the mouth;
dizziness;
increased salivation;
crunching, clicking, stiffness of the jaw;
persistent dry mouth.

With trauma and concussion

Even a mild traumatic brain injury is always accompanied by sharp or dull pain sensations on the right or left side of the head, which increase with movement. Often, violations can be recognized due to the presence of additional clinical signs:

tinnitus;
dizziness;
bouts of nausea or vomiting;
severe weakness;
loss of consciousness;
bruises on the skin, bruises, abrasions.

With a tumor

The presence of brain tumors can also cause headaches. At the same time, many patients note that discomfort begins to disturb in the morning and gradually increases throughout the day. The nature of cephalalgia is also affected by stressful situations, increased blood pressure, and malnutrition. If it hurts on the right side of the head for unclear reasons, you should not postpone a visit to the doctor - early diagnosis increases the chances of successful treatment. You can suspect a tumor by the presence of such signs as:

loss of appetite;
sudden weight loss;
fatigue;
irritability;
dizziness;
blurred consciousness;
nausea, vomiting;
epileptic seizures of unknown etiology;
limb cramps.

For tonsillitis and diseases of the oral cavity

Often, cephalalgia in the right side of the head is preceded by inflammatory processes in the oral cavity or infectious diseases of the upper respiratory tract. The pain is described by patients as a point pain, catching the temple, behind the ear, cheek, forehead. In addition, manifestations such as:

putrid smell from the mouth;
discomfort while chewing food;
dry cough;
enlarged lymph nodes;
inflammation of the gums.

With glaucoma

If the right hemisphere of the head hurts and discomfort is given to the eye, doctors often suspect glaucoma. The following symptoms help to determine the presence of pathology:

rainbow circles or flies before the eyes;
deterioration of peripheral vision up to its complete loss;
the appearance of transparent or translucent spots in the field of view;
decreased adaptation to the dark time of the day;
acute pain in the eye;
atrophy of the optic nerve fibers;
color vision disorder.

Diagnostics

Even with pronounced concomitant symptoms, the doctor will prescribe diagnostic tests to make the correct diagnosis:

General analysis of blood and urine - are necessary in case of suspicion of the development of inflammatory or infectious processes, to confirm the presence of a tumor.
X-ray and magnetic resonance computed tomography of the brain (CT, MRI) - allow you to assess the state of the brain, determine or exclude the presence of tumors, hematomas, infarction, cysts, intracranial hypertension. The reliability of studies increases when they are carried out with the use of contrast agents.
Extra- and transcranial dopplerography, angiography are necessary to visualize the structure of the vessels of the brain and cervical spine. These methods help to more accurately determine the location of the aneurysm, find arterial occlusions, identify tumors, hematomas.
Electroencephalography (EEG) - the method is used if cephalalgia is associated with changes in the intracranial structures of the vessels of the brain, neck.
Rheoencephalography (REG) is a diagnostic method based on passing weak electric currents through the brain tissue. The analysis is necessary to clarify migraine and vertebrobasilar insufficiency.
Lumbar puncture is a mandatory diagnostic method for suspected meningitis, encephalitis, subarachnoid hemorrhage.
Psychological testing methods (study of the degree of intellectual development using the Wechsler scale, Cornel index, projective thematic apperception test (TAT), digital test and Bonton test) are necessary if a psychogenic nature of pain is suspected.

Treatment of attacks of pain in the right hemisphere of the head

The need for treatment of cephalalgia in one way or another is determined by the doctor. For mild headaches of a periodic nature without obvious violations from other organs and systems, non-drug methods of therapy are used:

Massage. It is prescribed for headaches after injuries, chronic migraines, cluster syndrome, as an auxiliary method during the treatment of hypertension. Massage is allowed to be carried out both in a hospital and at home. The procedure includes a general effect on the head or collar zone, stimulation of biologically active points. Often massage is combined with aromatherapy, then aromatic oils are used during the session.
Acupuncture. It is prescribed together with manual therapy and is carried out only by a specialist. To eliminate the pain syndrome, a specialist uses thin needles to act on acupuncture points.
Manual therapy. The technique helps in the treatment of psychogenic cephalalgia, tension pain, migraine.
Therapeutic exercise. Light physical activity helps to get rid of muscle tension, discomfort in the cervical spine and other symptoms caused by osteoporosis or other diseases of the musculoskeletal system.

A well-adjusted daily regimen helps to get rid of unpleasant sensations of a mild form - eight hours of sleep, sports, lack of stress, walks in the fresh air. Experts recommend focusing on proper nutrition. From the menu, it is desirable to exclude smoking, spicy or too salty foods, sweets, soda, strong tea or coffee. To cope with tension cephalgia help:

taking weak analgesics, sedatives;
bed rest;
fresh air supply;
a compress with warm water or ice, a solution of apple cider vinegar;
drinking tea with thyme, chamomile, mint.

Strong analgesics help to quickly relieve pain. It should be remembered that such drugs are allowed to be used only in emergency situations, strictly following the instructions. For emergency use:

to eliminate a migraine attack, the patient is given 1 tablet (100 mg) of Sumamigren;
if cephalgia is caused by hypertension, 3 drops of Farmadipine are instilled under the tongue;
with cluster syndrome, 1 tablet of Imigran helps;
if your diagnosis is vascular disorders of the brain (paroxysmal hemicrania), it is allowed to take 2 tablets of Imet during the day;
it is possible to relieve pain in glaucoma by instilling 3 drops of Arutimol into each eye.

In other cases, the choice of drugs and treatment tactics should be entrusted to the doctor:

To combat migraine attacks, the patient is recommended to keep a diary, where he describes in detail the intervals between the state of rest and acute pain, the daily routine, and the diet. Of the medicines, potent analgesics, calcium channel blockers, antidepressants are prescribed.
With osteochondrosis, therapeutic exercises, massage, warming ointments, physiotherapy (electrophoresis, galvanic currents, high-frequency electromagnetic currents) are prescribed.
Cluster syndrome is stopped by giving up bad habits, taking steroid blockers, soothing herbal preparations.
With myositis, anti-inflammatory drugs, warming compresses are prescribed.
Treatment of temporal arteritis consists in the appointment of steroid and vasodilator medications.
To combat tumors, they resort to chemotherapy, electrocoagulation methods. In modern clinics, methods of radiosurgery and cryosurgery are practiced.
If an unpleasant symptom is caused by epilepsy, anticonvulsants, sedatives are used.
The treatment for Crosten's syndrome is bite correction and prosthetics.

Prevention

To avoid attacks of severe headache on the right side of the head, doctors recommend following simple recommendations:

often ventilate the room;
reduce the use of alcohol, caffeine, quit smoking;
avoid hypothermia, drafts, sleep in an uncomfortable position;
master relaxation techniques - aromatherapy, yoga, massage, meditation;
properly organize the workspace;
monitor posture while writing and working at a computer;
establish proper nutrition, drink enough liquid per day;
lead an active lifestyle - do fitness, swimming, cycling, walk more often in the fresh air.

Video

When there are pains in the head, a person very rarely thinks about what is the nature of their development. In most cases, such situations are limited only to taking appropriate medications that can quench pain. But this approach to solving the problem is wrong, which is associated with the need to treat the root cause of the disease, and not just eliminate the symptoms. For example, when the right side of the head hurts, this may be the result of completely different factors than on the left. Thus, in each case, it is worth using a specific treatment regimen. Only in this case it is possible to effectively and correctly deal with the disease.

In most cases, the head hurts in the eye socket, and not somewhere in the back of the skull. A feature of clusters is that only part of the head suffers because of them. Initially penetrating the frontal and temporal zone, the disease spreads to the cheekbone, neck, and all parts of the brain.

During cluster headaches on the right side of the back of the head, forehead and other parts of the head, the level of blood pressure in the body rises. As a result, the person becomes quite red. He can burst the vessels at the bottom of the retina in the eye. This often leads to a general reddening of the protein.

In order to get rid of pain in the right side of the head, the patient first of all needs rest. Not always with such an ailment, medications or any interventions of outsiders help.

Some causes of pain on the right side

There are many reasons why the right side of the head hurts. Each of them is a unique disease or pathology that requires appropriate diagnosis and treatment. Experts identify the following causes of this disease:

Glaucoma. Headache in various parts of the head may be a sign of too much pressure in the eye. In the dark, pain may increase slightly, as the pupil in this case expands in order to perceive more sunlight.
Inflammation of the eyes. Severe pain in the eye and frontal part of the head can be associated with eye diseases. In such cases, dull unilateral pain occurs.
Inflammation of the sinuses. Before the patient begins to understand that he has such a problem, he may feel pain in the head on the right or left side.
Hereditary transmission of predisposition to migraines.
Tumor formation. From such an ailment, both the entire right side of the head and only a certain area can hurt. It is noteworthy that painful sensations appear in the morning and intensify throughout the day. In addition to them, symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, weight loss, seizures, etc. occur. If your head hurts against the background of such signs, you should immediately visit a doctor.
Cranial injury. In most cases, it appears due to blows or bruises to the head. There may be pain in the right half of the head, as well as in the frontal or temporal. It is worth noting that pain may appear long after the injury.
Bleeding. In the vast majority of cases, the problem is a head injury, after which there is a strong, sharp and constantly increasing pain due to blood flow into the space of the cranium. In this case, there is also nausea, vomiting, confusion, impaired speech and coordination of movements. The consequence of this condition is the death of a person if medical care was provided late or not in full. A headache in this case after an injury should immediately suggest an ambulance call.
Osteochondrosis. Pain in the back of the head can often be caused by problems with the spine. Most often this applies to its upper sections - the thoracic and cervical. Due to the fact that osteochondrosis contributes to the blocking of the spinal canal, blood circulation in the brain is significantly impaired. The consequence of this is tinnitus, painful neck, and other conditions. It can even end in loss of consciousness.
Kosten's syndrome. A similar disease provokes pain in the head behind the ear and in the temporal region. In addition, a person with this ailment cannot normally open his mouth.

There is no universal answer to the question of why the head hurts on the right. This symptom can cause many different diseases, which requires a thorough examination of the patient. This involves taking an anamnesis, determining the localization of the symptom (a headache behind the ear on the right, on the top of the head, on the frontal surface, in the temple area, etc.), conducting MRI, REG and other research methods.

Treatment of the right side of the head

First of all, it is necessary to treat not directly this symptom, but the cause that caused it. First of all, it concerns cluster headaches. They, like migraines, are quite difficult to treat with medications. But without this, it is impossible to get rid of such diseases. At the beginning of treatment, it may not disappear, but become significantly less intense. This, in turn, will help a person avoid temporary disability and other problems that an illness can lead to.

It is not worth it to carry out therapy on your own, in this pain, as this can lead to rather adverse consequences. Treatment should be determined only by the doctor on the basis of the collected history data, as well as the results of the examination. The subjective feelings of a sick person are also very important. The localization of the pain syndrome in the back of the head, on top of the crown, behind the neck, on the right above the ear or in other parts is information that will greatly help specialists in diagnosing the disease.

Sharply appeared pain on the right side should be eliminated immediately after their appearance. This can be done in a variety of ways. First of all, doctors recommend taking antispasmodic drugs in such cases, such as, for example, Spasmalgon. But it is not always necessary to take medication. Sometimes a full good sleep may be enough for the pain to go away.

It is worth noting that the constant intake of analgesic drugs, if the right side of the head hurts, may not be justified due to the fact that the human body eventually stops responding to them. This means that it is best to combine drugs with each other. But this should be done only by a qualified doctor.

If the pain on the right in the back of the head was eliminated once and several times after that in the same way, it is best to abandon it for a while so that drug resistance does not develop.

Preventive measures

In order to avoid pain in the right hemisphere of the head, it is necessary to adhere to some preventive rules that neuropathologists have compiled based on their experience in treating patients. They are as follows:

You need to lead a healthy lifestyle. This includes being outdoors, playing sports, taking breaks from work, etc. In some cases, if the right side of the head hurts a lot, such beneficial activities for the body can eliminate it.
It is not worth staying in coniferous forests for a long time. It is believed that the smell of resins can provoke migraine attacks. Therefore, it should not be surprising that near a large number of firs or pines, headaches on the right side of the head increase.
Any Eastern practices one way or another can influence the fact that the pain in the right hemisphere of the head gradually decreases. This applies primarily to yoga, exercises that help to achieve a balance of internal forces, calm down after stress, relax your body and much more.
Nutrition should be balanced and complete. It is best to follow a diet that limits fatty, fried and smoked foods.
If you have symptoms that precede a migraine, you should eat one citrus fruit.

Many people do not understand why the right side of their head hurts. But in fact, most do not need this information, since such a symptom can be easily prevented by following the above simple rules of prevention.

Conclusion

Pain in the right side is a fairly common symptom that should be taken as seriously and carefully as possible. If its appearance develops into a chronic form, it is not worth ignoring a trip to a medical institution for examination. In this case, a specialist in the field of neurology can help. It is best to diagnose the causes of the disease and begin their therapy at the earliest stages. In this case, there is a high probability that the treatment will not be long, effective and safe.

Write in the comments if you have experienced pain and how you coped with them. It may help other readers as well. Thanks in advance

Headache is a fairly common problem that all people face from time to time. It should be borne in mind that this condition is a symptom of quite serious disorders in the body.

Sometimes pain is localized only in a certain area of the head. The most common site for discomfort is the right side. There can be many reasons for such a problem.

Possible reasons

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The appearance of a headache on the right side can be associated with a variety of problems and pathologies.

	With the development of this disease, a focus of the inflammatory process appears and there is a throbbing pain in the right side of the head. Such sensations occur with a certain frequency. A harbinger of this condition can be short-term attacks in the region of the orbit. Sometimes the pain syndrome is accompanied by redness of the eyes and the appearance of rhinitis. Provoking factors are often alcoholic beverages and certain foods. Quite often, cluster headache attacks are seasonal and occur in spring or autumn.
	This term is understood as a pathology that occurs as a result of impaired functioning of the vessels of the brain. In this case, pain sensations appear in the region of the temples and gradually spread throughout the head. Most often, discomfort is felt only on one side of the face, in the forehead, back of the head and eye sockets, and can persist for several days. Sometimes pain does not occur suddenly - it may be preceded by various syndromes. They often consist in the occurrence of tingling of the skin and all kinds of visual disturbances - for example, a person may have circles and ripples before his eyes. In most cases, migraine develops in women. Particular discomfort brings a headache that occurs during pregnancy.
	Prolonged stay in an uncomfortable position leads to the fact that cervical osteochondrosis occurs even in young people. With the appearance of an additional load on the neck, the intervertebral cartilages are injured, which leads to the process of their ossification. As a result, the vertebrae are in contact and have a mechanical effect on the vessels and nerve endings located behind. These processes lead to a decrease in the volume of blood entering the brain, resulting in pain on the right side of the head and neck, and discomfort may be aggravated by touching or bending over. In addition to pain in the head, there may be nausea, tinnitus, stabbing pain in the neck and shoulder blades. Sometimes a person even loses consciousness.
	When tumor formations appear, pain sensations at an early stage of the disease are not pronounced and do not cause much concern. As a rule, the head aches a little. In the future, the disease progresses, and the person's condition is seriously deteriorating. A distinctive feature of the tumor formation is the exacerbation of headache in the morning.
	With mechanical damage, a slight oscillation of the brain and its displacement relative to its normal position may occur. In such a situation, pain is a normal reaction of the body. Different parts of the head can hurt - sometimes the crown or back of the head suffers. If a sufficient amount of time has passed after the injury, but headaches periodically occur, you should consult a doctor. Perhaps the present discomfort is a consequence of serious damage.
	Sharp pain on the right side can be a harbinger of a stroke. It appears suddenly, for no apparent reason. Sometimes the provoking factor is severe stress, serious overwork or a drop in blood pressure. In addition to a headache, a person feels sick, sometimes vomiting occurs. As the patient's condition worsens, there is a loss of consciousness or a partial impairment, he may lose orientation in space and time. Often, vision deteriorates or disappears completely.
Tonsillitis	The inflammatory process occurring on the palatine tonsils, and the acute form of tonsillitis can provoke headaches of varying intensity and location. In this case, there is a toxicological irritation of the nerve endings that are located on the soft palate. This process leads to what shoots in the head, and this can only happen on one side. Often the body temperature rises. To cope with discomfort, you need to eliminate the underlying disease.
Costen's syndrome	Incorrect bite not only worsens the appearance of a person, but also leads to more serious violations. Increased tension of the jaw joints provokes the development of Costen's syndrome. In this case, there is a pronounced discomfort in the jaw area, which radiates to the ear and temples. This syndrome entails problems with the teeth, a violation of the chewing process, and temporary hearing impairment.
Chronic paroxysmal hemicrania	This term refers to one of the most severe forms of migraine. Attacks occur every day and are accompanied by acute pain on one side of the head. A person experiences especially severe pain in the forehead area, and the area of \u200b\u200bthe temples and eyes is also involved in the process. The discomfort usually has a cutting and boring character and a high degree of intensity. Sometimes there is a throbbing pain. Also, a person experiences discomfort in the area of \u200b\u200bthe eyeball - it turns red, the pupil narrows and does not respond to light. Often there is severe lacrimation and nasal congestion on the affected side. This pathology in most cases affects women of mature age.
Food	The right side of the head may hurt due to eating certain foods. Most often, semi-finished products lead to this condition, which contain many chemical components and can adversely affect the human condition. Monosodium glutamate plays a major role in this process. It is this substance that often provokes discomfort in the temple area. Dull pain of a throbbing nature occurs in people whose blood contains a lot of nitrites. If you eat a lot of bacon or smoked fish, after half an hour a person may have a headache in the temples. Dark chocolate can also lead to discomfort. This product contains a high amount of tyramine, which causes pain. In addition, cheese and certain types of seafood can provoke a headache attack.

What to do if the right side of the head hurts

To cope with discomfort, you need to eliminate the cause of this symptom. Migraine is rather difficult to treat, but an integrated approach will help to significantly reduce pain and prevent temporary disability.

Treatment should be prescribed exclusively by a doctor, focusing on the results of examinations. To eliminate acute headache, you need to start therapy at the initial stage. A fairly simple but effective remedy is sleep - most often at this time, migraines go away on their own.

Sometimes the opposite situation occurs - a headache appears in a dream, and after waking up a person experiences serious discomfort. With such sensations, strong painkillers will help to cope. However, they help only for a short time.

After a certain time, the body loses the ability to perceive analgesics, which leads to increased pain. Therefore, doctors advise combining drugs for the treatment of migraine.

There are modern means to combat the attacks of this disease. However, over time, addiction develops, and they stop affecting the disease. In addition, these drugs are quite expensive and do not help with all forms of migraine.

Prevention

In order to prevent the appearance of an acute headache in the right side of the head, certain rules must be strictly observed:

Lead a healthy lifestyle	It is recommended to go in for sports, spend a lot of time outdoors, alternate work and rest. It is very important to periodically take breaks in work - this will help to avoid overwork, which often causes a headache.
Avoid coniferous forests and resin aroma	There is evidence that such odors lead to migraine attacks.
Do yoga or similar oriental practices	Thanks to this, it will be possible to normalize the balance of the body, protect against stressful situations and maintain excellent physical shape.
Stick to a diet	It is necessary to exclude or at least limit the consumption of salty, smoked, spicy, fried foods. Doctors advise to eat a lot of vegetables and fruits, natural juices are very useful. It is equally important to drink enough water.
If you experience migraine harbingers, you need to eat a citrus fruit - an orange or a tangerine	These products are good for the body and will help prevent an attack.

A headache on the right side of the head can be a symptom of a rather dangerous disease.

To prevent the development of serious complications, it is very important to consult a doctor in a timely manner.

Thanks to complex diagnostics, it will be possible to establish the causes of this condition and select the most effective therapy.