Suffering pain on the left side of the head does not necessarily have to be a situation that appears to us as absolutely strange. As in any pathology related to this body region, the most common causes are inflammation of the blood vessels or contraction of the muscles of the head. However, these are not the only factors that can affect us when suffering from a disease of this kind. If the discomfort is continuous and directly interferes with your quality of life, the best option will be to seek medical attention in order to obtain both an accurate diagnosis and adequate treatment.
Types of pain that can occur on the left side of the head
Migraines, as those of us who have suffered from them on occasion know, can occur on any side of the head or even around the temples. When it starts in the left part of the affected region, this headache can remain seated, until we alleviate it, in that part or, on the other hand, it can spread to the rest of the area. Migraines involve continuous, throbbing, throbbing pain that can last up to 72 hours. Normally, they need a specific medication for their long-term treatment.
Another ailment that can affect the left side of the head is occipital neuralgia. This pain materializes in the form of stinging discomfort, as if it were small electric shocks, it tends to be chronic and, in most cases, it begins to manifest itself in the cervical part to later spread to the rest of the head. Other symptoms related to this disease become weakening of the scalp and sensitivity of the eyes to light.
In a stage that includes a greater severity we can find pathologies such as brain tumors. Depending on both their location and their size, these can cause headaches on the left side of the head. If the tumor metastasizes in that area, it will tend to grow until it touches the skull, causing intracranial pressure and pain with this increase.
Causes of headache on the left side
The headache usually goes away in a few hours and is usually not a cause for concern. However, on other occasions, this type of pathology is prolonged over time and can be a sign of a much more serious and serious disease. Therefore, you must be very attentive to the different causes that cause headaches on the left side. Here are some of the most common factors:
Lifestyle-related causes
Here we can include:
- Alcohol – Some alcoholic beverages such as beer and wine contain ethanol, a chemical that causes blood vessels to widen, triggering severe headaches.
- Stress and anxiety: as always, being subjected to excessive pressure ends up leading to health problems, including headaches.
- Skipping meals: surely at some point in your life you have been hungry and have a headache at the same time. These two symptoms are not isolated, on the contrary, they are closely related to each other. The brain needs sugar (glucose) to function properly. If you don’t eat, the blood sugar level drops causing hypoglycemia whose most significant symptom is a headache (usually on the left side).
- Food: Did you know that certain foods can cause headaches? This is the case of those that contain a greater amount of preservatives such as cured cheese, red wine, nuts, processed meats, sausages…
- Lack of sleep: Insomnia is also responsible for generating pain on the left side of the head.
Infections and allergies
On many occasions, pain on the left side of the head can also be a symptom of a respiratory infection such as the flu or a cold. These diseases are usually characterized by causing fever and congestion in the sinuses (the latter also happens with allergies), two symptoms widely related to discomfort in the mentioned area.
Some more serious infections such as encephalitis or meningitis cause even more severe headaches, which can be accompanied by other symptoms such as seizures, high fever, and a stiff neck.
Abusing certain medications
Paradoxically, excessive and prolonged intake of some prescription headache medications such as ibuprofen, aspirin or paracetamol can cause symptoms to increase instead of alleviating them.
Other causes of pain on the left side of the head
Helmet or hat that is too tight: A motorcycle or bicycle helmet or hat that is too tight can put pressure on one or both sides of the head and cause pain.
- Concussion – A hard blow to the head can cause this type of discomfort, as well as others such as confusion, nausea, and vomiting.
- Glaucoma – An increase in pressure within the eye can lead to eye pain and blurred vision accompanied by discomfort on the left side of the head.
- High blood pressure – High blood pressure usually does not cause symptoms, but a left-sided headache could be a warning sign.
- Stroke: Blood clots can block blood vessels to the brain, cutting off blood flow and causing a stroke. A sudden, severe headache can be a warning sign.
When should you see a doctor for pain on the left side of the head?
As we mentioned above, left-sided headaches are usually not serious and you can treat them yourself. However, you should go to a doctor or seek emergency help in the following cases:
- You have a headache so intense that it prevents you from getting out of bed or doing your daily tasks.
- Headaches wake you up at night.
- You started to feel the discomfort after you hit your head.
- The headache worsens with the passing of the hours and no medication manages to calm the discomfort.
- Headaches first develop after age 50.
You should also see a medical professional immediately if your headache is accompanied by other symptoms such as confusion, changes in mental function, fever, stiff neck, loss of vision or double vision, pain that increases when you cough, numbness, weakness or loss of consciousness.
Left Side Headache Treatment
Once you visit, your doctor will perform a physical exam and ask you a variety of questions about your history and symptoms. Your doctor will most likely be able to make a diagnosis based on these symptoms alone, however, they may also perform an X-ray to rule out more serious problems.
Once the diagnosis is made, the most common treatment usually includes pain relievers such as aspirin or ibuprofen, as well as relaxation and rest. Your doctor may also recommend applying a warm or cold compress to your head or neck, as well as eating something to eat if your blood sugar is too low.