Cervicogenic Headache
If you experience a headache on the left side of your head, you may be suffering from a migraine. While most headaches subside after a few hours, you should contact a physician if the pain is too severe. There are many different causes of headaches, so it's essential to know the different types and when to seek medical attention. The most common type of headache is the tension which affects 75 per cent of adults.
Migraine causes headaches on the left side of the head.
Migraine causes headaches on the left side of the head, and cluster headaches can be a nuisance. A headache on one side of the head can be caused by several things, including lack of sleep, a sinus infection, or injury to the head. While a headache on just one side of the head is not particularly dangerous, it can be frustrating if you cannot pinpoint the exact cause. Migraine is one of the most common types of headaches, affecting about 12% of the population in the U.S., and it can also be a sign of a more severe condition.
Bruxism causes muscle spasms.
Bruxism, a condition in which a person grinds their teeth during sleep, can cause pain to the ears, teeth, and jaw. It also can affect the temporomandibular joint, which allows the jaw to open and close. As a result of bruxism, people often experience referred pain, which means that the pain is felt in another area. In some people, the pain is accompanied by noise. Bruxism can be diagnosed through physical examination or by undergoing a sleep study.
High blood pressure
High blood pressure is one of the leading causes of headaches and can signify other conditions. A blood pressure test is a simple procedure that measures the pressure on arterial walls as your heart beats. A result is a number that depicts your systolic and diastolic pressure. Your blood pressure is considered normal when the numbers are within the range. However, you may have hypertension if they are higher than the normal range. If your blood pressure is too high or too low, you could experience severe headaches.
Sleep apnea
Headaches resulting from sleep apnea may result from low blood oxygen levels. When these levels are lower than usual, the body is hypoxic. When this happens, carbon dioxide accumulates in the bloodstream, which causes the blood vessels in the brain to swell. These increased pressures on the head and neck can contribute to headaches.
Concussions
If your concussion has left you with a headache on the left side of your head, you may wonder what exactly causes this pain. Several potential causes include traumatic brain injury or vision problems. These causes often result in pulsating, brutal headaches and are often accompanied by pain in the hips, shoulders, or eyes. In addition, vestibular issues can result in pain and inflammation around the eyes. This is caused by problems with the vestibular system, a part of the brain that helps the brain understand its position in space. When concussions occur, this part of the brain is affected, resulting in headaches, balance problems, and spatial disorientation.
Occipital neuralgia
You may suffer from occipital neuralgia if you experience a throbbing, stabbing, or throbbing-like pain on the left side of the head. Fortunately, this condition is treatable with standard treatment options. A health care provider can prescribe pain medications or a guided physical therapy program to treat the pain. Your doctor may also offer steroid injections to reduce inflammation.
Migraine causes hemiplegic migraine.
Migraines are inherited in the autosomal dominant pattern, meaning they are inherited from both parents. In the dominant pattern, one copy of an altered gene is required for a migraine to occur. The altered gene can come from either parent or result from a new mutation in an affected person. Affected individuals have a 50 per cent chance of passing the disorder on to their children.
