Unilateral headaches – causes, treatment and prevention

Unilateral headache

Unilateral headaches are a typical symptom of migraines or cluster headaches. Therefore, this type of pain should never be taken lightly, as there is often a disease behind it.

What are unilateral headaches?

Unilateral headaches are annoying and depending on the severity, it can take some time before the pain subsides. It can appear on the left or right, but also on the forehead. While the pain that affects the entire head can still be endured by many of those affected, the area-related headaches are usually very severe.

They often present with a stabbing pain on one side of the head. In addition, there is usually a feeling of pressure that is typical of a one-sided headache. The doctor is helpful in clarifying the causes. Depending on the intensity, he may also prescribe medication to minimize the pain to a tolerable level.

causes

migraine

Unilateral headaches are generally indicative of a migraine, for example when they are only on the right side of the head. When this happens, the pain is usually throbbing and throbbing. They often start in the back of the right head and radiate to the right forehead or right eye.

In addition to the severe pain intensity, a migraine can also be recognized by the other symptoms that are typical of it. These include, for example, an increase in pain through movement, although even light activities can lead to this. Equally characteristic are nausea, vomiting , sensitivity to light, noise, and smells, and transient neurological deficits.

cluster headache

Cluster headaches can also be responsible for unilateral headaches. Typical of this is severe and paroxysmal pain. The symptoms usually accumulate in the morning hours and at night.

brain tumor

It is advisable not to assume the worst, but a brain tumor can also be a cause. However, the probability of this is usually very low, since around 8,100 people fall ill with it in Germany every year. A brain tumor has similar and sometimes even the same symptoms as a migraine, such as nausea, vomiting, dizziness, paralysis, blurred vision , etc. Headaches caused by tumors increase over time, usually within a few weeks. After that they are permanent.

Other causes

If these symptoms do not occur, problems with the teeth or eyes, an inflammation of the paranasal sinuses or certain complaints of the cervical spine can be the reason for a one-sided headache on the right side.

Diseases

  • fatigue

When to the doctor?

If those affected only experience rare, tolerable and short-term one-sided headaches, that is no reason to see a doctor. Home remedies or light painkillers are an excellent remedy for this.

A doctor’s visit is imperative if the unilateral headache lasts for weeks or even months and keeps coming back. Increasing one-sided headaches after a head injury require urgent intensive medical treatment. The same applies to pain that becomes noticeable several days after a concussion . A doctor should also be consulted if the headache is accompanied by nausea and vomiting.

If the one-sided headache occurs suddenly and other symptoms such as impaired perception or motor failures occur, those affected should call an emergency doctor immediately. This can be an acute and life-threatening process in the brain.

Furthermore, an emergency doctor should be contacted if the pain occurs in combination with visual disturbances or hearing loss. Also, if the one-sided headache is accompanied by existing speech disorders or confusion, an emergency doctor should be consulted. The same applies to parallel clouding of consciousness or even loss of consciousness.

diagnosis and course

In order to make the correct diagnosis for a unilateral headache or to determine the correct cause, it is important to describe the headache and other symptoms in detail. It is helpful to keep a headache diary. Here you can write down when and in which situations the headaches occurred. A detailed neurological examination is also necessary. If the findings are conspicuous, imaging diagnostics of the head can be performed: a computer tomogram ( CT ) or magnetic resonance imaging ( MRI ).

In the case of unilateral headaches, it is fundamentally important that serious diseases such as a brain tumor or cerebral hemorrhage are ruled out. An electroencephalogram ( EEG ) can also be carried out to measure brain activity. If you have a unilateral headache that lasts longer, you should always see a doctor to determine the cause.

complications

Headaches, and thus also one-sided headaches, are among the most frequently occurring symptoms in the practice. As part of these symptoms, there can be some more or less serious complications, which can sometimes severely affect those affected. It can happen that a severe headache severely affects the general condition of the patient and thus negatively affects the ability to perform and concentrate. As part of this complication, which is caused by the headache, it can also happen that the ability to operate heavy machinery and thus participate in road traffic is restricted.

Those affected should also pay attention to a possibly limited ability to react. This can occur as a further complication of the unilateral headache. Furthermore, numerous other complications are possible depending on the trigger of the headache. Not all of these can be listed, as some of them differ drastically.

If the one-sided headache occurs, for example, as part of a migraine, visual disturbances are a possible complication. On the other hand, if the headache is triggered by an injury or inflammation of the brain or meninges , this underlying disease can lead to disturbances of consciousness, which in turn should be regarded as a complication.

treatment and therapy

Depending on the cause of the one-sided headache, the therapies are also very different:

migraine

A large number of medications are available for the treatment of migraines, for example simple painkillers, but also very special preparations intended for severe pain. In addition, it is advisable to treat yourself to absolute silence in a dark room for a day, as bright light and noise can make headaches even worse. Drinking too little can also trigger migraines.

cluster headache

There is no cure for cluster headache, but effective treatment is available for many sufferers. However, it can take some time to find the optimal drug and dose. The usual painkillers usually do not help with cluster headaches. Alternative and naturopathic methods as well as relaxation exercises rarely help with cluster headaches.

  • Homeopathic remedies (globules)

The following remedies are recommended for one-sided headaches:

  • Belladonna: for headaches that are very severe, pounding, or throbbing
  • Lycopodium: for pain in the right forehead
  • Natrum muriaticum: for headaches that are felt as pounding or bursting

With a concussion, a sore tooth and also with a migraine, a wet, cold washcloth can relieve the pain. A painkiller provides additional relief. Unilateral headaches often lead to tension in the neck, just as this can also cause the pain. Therefore, a massage of the shoulders and neck, but also the temples, relieves the headache. It’s also often helpful to dab a few drops of peppermint oil onto your temples and massage them in gently with your fingertips in a circular motion. This provides a cooling, refreshing feeling and is good for the head. The oil relaxes the muscles and stimulates the cold sensors.

prevention

First of all, good prevention is to drink plenty of fluids, as dehydration is one of the most common causes of headaches. If too little water is drunk, the blood thickens and the oxygen supply decreases. The result: the head hurts. Eating regularly is also important, as hunger leading to a drop in blood sugar levels can cause a one-sided headache.

Especially foods that contain a lot of magnesium are ideal. The mineral ensures calm nerves and relaxed muscles . Whole grain products, green vegetables and nuts are ideal. Other foods, on the other hand, can act as triggers for headaches, which are also called triggers. The reason for this are the biogenic amines contained, for example in red wine, mature cheese, chocolate, wheat, pork, curing salt or glutamate .

Exercise is just as important to avoid one-sided headaches, preferably outdoors, such as cycling, walking or swimming. Exposure to the sun and stress are considered risk factors. Permanent stress reduction and active relaxation are part of the long-term therapy for headaches.

Dorothy Farrar

Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.

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