With some conditions and also due to the use of medication, a headache occurs on one side. The one-sided headache (unilateral headache) is sometimes accompanied by other complaints, such as vision problems, vomiting and fatigue. This is due to some form of headache, medication use or a neurological problem. In a large proportion of patients, the headache on one side is the result of a form of headache that is easily treated with home remedies and lifestyle changes. However, if one or more alarm signals occur in combination with the headache, or if persistent, severe or progressively worsening complaints occur, medical advice is necessary to rule out other underlying conditions or problems.

• Medication use and headache on one side
• Neurological problems

• Occipital neuralgia
• Temporal arteritis
• Trigeminal neuralgia

• Types of headaches that affect one side

• Cervicogenic headache
• Cluster headache
• Hemicrania continua
• Migraine
• Paroxysmal hemicrania
• Tension headache

• Other causes
• Warning signs of one-sided headache
• Home remedies and lifestyle changes for headaches
• Prognosis of unilateral headache

Medication use and headache on one side

This type of headache is known as a rebound headache because the headache occurs as a result of the treatment of another condition. Rebound headaches mainly appear due to excessive use of over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), aspirin and ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil). When you wake up, the headache is often worse than during the day.

Neurological problems

Occipital neuralgia

Occipital neuralgia involves damage or inflammation to the nerves from the top of the spinal cord to the scalp (occipital nerves). This causes the patient to experience sharp pain in the back of the head and neck and pain behind the eye. In addition to the nerve pain, he suffers from photophobia (a sensitivity to light).A patient with temporal arteritis is often tired / Source: Concord90, Pixabay

Temporal arteritis

Temporal arteritis (arteritis temporalis) involves inflammation of the arteries in the head and neck. In addition to severe headaches on the side of the head, other symptoms such as muscle pain, fatigue, jaw pain and tender temples appear.

Trigeminal neuralgia

Intense pain in the face (facial pain) and head is caused by trigeminal neuralgia. In most cases, only one side of the head is affected at a time (the right side or the left side). The condition results from a problem with the trigeminal nerve at the base of the brain.

Types of headaches that affect one side

Cervicogenic headache

In cervicogenic headaches, pain occurs on one side of the head as a result of radiating pain due to a problem with the neck structures such as the lining of the cervical spine, the joints, the various ligaments, the cervical nerve roots and vertebral arteries that run through cervical vertebral bodies. Pressure and tension in the neck of the spine are often the basis of neck pain that radiates to the head. A reduced range of motion of the neck is characteristic of this type of pain that radiates to the head. The patient also experiences worsened complaints when he makes certain movements or when pressure is placed on the neck area. The condition also causes headaches on one side behind the eye.

Cluster headache

Cluster headaches are a rare condition that causes very intense headaches around one eye in cyclical patterns. Men in particular are affected by cluster headaches. The exact cause is not known as of October 2020, but alcohol abuse, smoking and a family history of cluster headaches are possible risk factors. The headache sometimes radiates to other parts of the head, face, neck and/or shoulders. Most patients experience frequent headache attacks (clusters) for weeks or months and then enter a calmer period until the cycle flares up again. Symptoms usually start at about the same time every day during this cycle.Other symptoms of cluster headaches include:

• pale skin (pallor) or red skin
• a drooping eyelid (ptosis)
• a stuffy or runny nose
• a swelling around the affected eye
• red eyes or watery eyes
• restlessness
• sweating or redness of the face

There is no treatment for the disease as of October 2020, but it is possible to reduce the number and severity of symptoms. The patient does this first of all by avoiding all possible risk factors (if they are known) as well as by taking medication prescribed by the doctor, such as allergy medicines (antihistamines), antidepressants, anti-epileptics and/or blood pressure medicines. This non-life-threatening condition often affects the quality of life of patients.

Hemicrania continua

A relatively rare type of headache on one side is hemicrania continua. Women in particular are affected by the headache form that causes very severe pain throughout the day. The pain is constant and does not shift to the other side. In addition, one or more additional symptoms occur such as red eyes, watery eyes, a stuffy or runny nose and ptosis (a drooping eyelid) or miosis (a narrowing of the eye pupil). The cause of hemicrania continua is unknown, but treatment with the NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) indomethacin resolves the symptoms.

Migraine

Migraine is a form of one-sided headache in which the patient experiences severe pulsating or throbbing pain. The headache is accompanied by the following possible signs:

• vomit
• a hypersensitivity to sound (phonophobia)
• a hypersensitivity to light (photophobia)
• blurred vision
• nausea

Furthermore, approximately thirty percent of patients develop an aura just before the headache starts. As a result, the patient experiences visual disturbances or even a temporary loss of vision. The symptoms of migraine last untreated for up to 72 hours, with the pain being felt on one side.Genetic factors may play a role in the development of migraine headaches. Some triggers have also been linked to migraines such as :

• emotional stress or anxiety
• bright lights
• loud noises
• hormonal changes in women
• skipping meals
• strong odors
• too much or too little sleep
• changes in weather (humidity, heat, pressure)
• fatigue
• foods and drinks, such as alcohol, chocolate, cheese and meat products

Prompt treatment is necessary to reduce the duration and severity of symptoms. Over-the-counter or prescription medications are available. Furthermore, the patient avoids the triggering factors, although the doctor may also prescribe preventive medication.

Paroxysmal hemicrania

Paroxysmal hemicrania is a rare primary headache form in which the patient has severe but short-lived one-sided headaches in the areas around the eye several times a day. Men are more commonly affected by paroxysmal hemicrania. Neurological symptoms do not occur (unlike with migraine). The use of indomethacin (an NSAID) solves this problem.

Tension headache

Tension headache occurs in 75 percent of patients with headache complaints. Poor posture, pressure on the neck and shoulders, stress and a previous neck injury are risk factors for this type of headache. Usually both sides of the head are affected, but occasionally patients also experience headaches on one side. The pain is dull and the scalp is sensitive. Tension headaches are also characterized by tight neck and shoulder muscles. There is also a tight, pressing pain that starts behind the eyes and spreads over the forehead or the back of the head. The pain is usually worse at the end of the day. Symptoms usually last from a few minutes to several hours and are mild to moderate in severity. For occasional tension headaches, the patient may use over-the-counter pain relievers or home remedies. Patients with frequent tension headaches are best advised to make lifestyle changes. It is also wise to identify triggering factors and avoid them. Furthermore, the doctor sometimes uses medication for severe and persistent tension headaches.

Other causes

Other causes of headaches that cause both one-sided headaches and headaches that affect the entire head area include:

• allergies
• an aneurysm (a weak or bulging artery wall)
• a head injury
• an inflammatory disease
• infections, such as sinusitis (paranasal sinusitis)
• fluctuations in blood sugar levels caused by missing meals
• muscle tension or knots in the neck
• tumors
• fatigue

 Medical attention is necessary for changes in vision / Source: Nufkin, Flickr (CC BY-2.0)

Warning signs of one-sided headache

In most patients, headaches on one side disappear spontaneously. If the patient regularly experiences headache complaints or if they are very serious, medical advice is needed to determine the underlying cause. Furthermore, medical attention is needed when one or more of the following symptoms appear in combination with the one-sided headache:

• persistent headache
• a numb feeling
• a head injury
• a skin rash
• slurred speech
• a stiff neck
• a change in vision
• a reduced quality of life
• severe headache
• fever
• personality changes or cognitive changes
• sleep disorders
• increasingly worse headache
• increased pain during movement
• confusion
• weakness

 Avoiding alcohol is recommended / Source: Jarmoluk, Pixabay

Home remedies and lifestyle changes for headaches

Some home skin remedies and self-care measures relieve headaches in most patients, such as:

• practice breathing exercises, relaxation exercises, meditation and/or yoga to reduce pain and relieve stress and anxiety
• using aromatherapy or essential oils such as eucalyptus, lavender or peppermint oil to treat tension headaches
• improve posture
• to take a nap
• taking a break from screens, including computers, tablets and television (this also prevents Computer Vision Syndrome)
• take a warm bath or shower
• apply a warm or cold compress to the back of the neck
• Avoid bright or flashing lights, loud noises and strong odors
• loosening tight hairstyles such as ponytails and braids
• massage tight muscles in the neck and shoulders
• avoiding foods that cause headaches, including alcohol, caffeine and MSG
• Use over-the-counter pain relievers, but avoid overusing them because they cause rebound headaches

Prognosis of unilateral headache

Usually pain on one side of the head is not a cause for concern. Symptoms resolve within minutes to hours in the majority of patients and are often treatable with home remedies and lifestyle changes. If these measures do not help, in most cases a drug or other treatment is available to relieve the symptoms of this type of unilateral headache.

read more

• Migraine: Attacks of an aura and/or one-sided headache
• Cluster headache: Sudden, one-sided and painful headache
• Tension headaches: Causes, symptoms and treatment
• Cervicogenic headache: One-sided pain originating in the neck
• Paroxysmal hemicrania: Attacks of one-sided headache