Headache on the left side: causes and remedies
Headaches on the left side can be a cause for concern unless the cause is known. There can be several types of pain on the left side of the head and it is possible to get proper treatment if you know about these.
Around 50 percent of people worldwide suffer from headaches. In most cases these headaches can be due to minor causes and are called primary headaches. However, in some cases headaches can be fatal.
So it is very important to understand the difference between a common headache and a bad one. In this article I will discuss the causes, symptoms and treatment of all types of left side headaches.
Read more 7 home remedies to reduce migraine pain
Some important information about headaches on the left side
Some primary headaches may occur only on the left side of the head.
In most cases these headaches are common and can be easily cured.
Understanding the causes and symptoms of primary headaches on the left side can differentiate these pains from other severe headaches.
Different types of headaches
Types of primary headaches
The primary headache on the left side can be of the following types:
Migraine
Tension headaches
Cluster headaches
Because
Causes of headaches on the left side
Injury
Inflammatory diseases
Closure of blood vessels in the nose
Caused by blood vessels
Taking too much medicine
Sinus
Causes and symptoms of different types of headaches
The causes and symptoms of different types of primary headaches are given below.
Migraine
Headaches on the left side can be caused by migraines. Migraine is the third most common disease in the world. According to the World Health Organization, 14% of people worldwide suffer from migraines.
Migraine causes severe pain in the head, throb in the head and only one side of the head. The pain starts around the eyes or from the forehead and then spreads to the head.
If you want to treat this pain as a migraine, you have to have these symptoms:
Change of vision
Nausea
Dizziness
Extreme sensitivity to sound, light, touch, or smell
Numbness on the face
Migraines usually last from 4 to 72 hours. People with migraines want to lie down instead of standing.
Scientists do not fully know the cause of migraines. However, it is thought to be linked to the functioning of the brain and the sensitivity of nerves or blood vessels in the brain.
Reasons why migraine can start:
Stress
Some foods such as cheese, chocolate, alcohol
Sleeping too little or too much
Too much light or flickering lights
Loud noises that have been going on for a long time
The strong smell of perfume
Tension headache
Tension headaches or tension headaches start on the left side of the head and behind the eyes. It is caused by stress.
Around the world, 42% of headache patients suffer from tension headaches.
Tension headaches are usually on the left side of the head but can also be on both sides.
Tension headaches are less severe than migraines.
Symptoms of Tension Headache:
Tight, pressing pain that starts at the back of the eyes and then spreads to the forehead and back of the head
Tightening of neck and neck muscles
At the end of the day the pain increases
Tension Headache Tension Headache is thought to be caused by muscle tension and this headache starts due to the following:
Stress
Pressure on the neck or shoulders
Neck injuries that have occurred in the past
Cluster headache
Left side headaches can also be cluster headaches or cluster headaches.
Cluster headache is very painful and it is on one side of the head.
Symptoms of cluster headache:
Pain in one eye, one forehead, or one side of the forehead
After 5-10 minutes the pain gets worse
Severe pain lasts from half an hour to an hour
A little less pain can last up to 3 hours
Other symptoms:
Nasal congestion or runny nose
The eyelids droop
Tears and redness with one eye
Sweaty face
The exact cause of cluster headaches is unknown but it is thought to be related to a part of the brain called the hypothalamus.
Cluster headaches usually begin at the same time each day, lasting 4 to 12 weeks. It is usually in the spring or summer and as a result many people mistake it as an allergic headache.
The cause of the headache on the left side
Sometimes a headache on the left side is not a primary headache but it is caused by a disease. In some cases it can be serious or fatal.
The serious reasons for which cluster headaches can occur:
Injury
Inflammatory diseases
Blood vessel problems
The few reasons why cluster headaches can occur are:
More reliance on pain killers
Sinus
When to see a doctor
If these headaches start at the age of fifty and continue to get worse every day, then a doctor's advice should be taken.
If any of the above symptoms are more severe, a doctor's advice should be sought. These symptoms include blurred vision, fever, and sweating.
In addition, a doctor's advice should be taken for the following reasons:
These headaches first start after the age of 50
The type of headache changes
The headaches get worse day by day
The headache is very severe
There is a change in the mental functioning and personality of the affected person
The headache starts after the feeling of eating home in the head
Headaches disrupt daily activities.
Treatment and prevention
Most headaches can be treated with medication.
If you have a migraine or tension headache, your doctor may give you a more powerful pain killer. The treatment for cluster headache is taking pure oxygen.
Lifestyle changes that can reduce primary headaches:
Relaxation Techniques: Yoga or other relaxation techniques can relax the body and mind. This relaxation will reduce muscle tension and stop tension headaches and migraines due to mental and physical stress.
Food: Caffeine (tea, coffee, coke, sprite), alcohol, and cheese should be avoided.
If this headache is due to any disease then your doctor can help you with the right treatment.
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Finally
Most headaches can be managed through pain killers and lifestyle changes.
However, those who have headaches all the time and as a result of which daily activities are disrupted, they should seek the help of a doctor to solve this problem.
If you have a headache due to any disease, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible so that treatment can be taken in advance.
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