Some people may experience occasional or even frequent right-sided headaches. This pain can be mild, but can also be severe enough to interfere with activities. Let's find out what causes headaches on the right.
Sometimes, headaches do not always feel all over the head, but can be more dominant in certain areas, such as the right or left side of the head. The location of the appearance of pain in the head and its intensity can indicate different causes, so the treatment is also not the same.
Various Possible Causes of Right Side Headache
Here are some of the most common causes of right-sided headaches:
Chronic migraine
Chronic migraine is a migraine that often occurs with a frequency of 15 or more times a month. A person is said to have chronic migraine, if the symptoms are felt for 3 months or more. Chronic migraines that are not treated over time can get worse.
Here are some important migraine symptoms to know:
- Headache only on one side of the head
- The pain is throbbing and often severe enough to interfere with activities
- Sensitive to light and sound
- Nausea and vomiting
Sometimes migraines can appear along with aura symptoms, which are early symptoms before the onset of migraines. Aura in migraine can be a sensation of glare or like seeing an object or image.
The cause of migraines is still not clearly known. However, there are several factors that can increase a person's risk for migraines, such as heredity, frequent use of pain relievers, sleep disturbances, excessive caffeine intake, to psychological problems, such as severe stress and depression.
Hemicrania continua
Headache hemicrania continua It can be characterized by the following symptoms:
- Headache on only one side of the head, either left or right
- Occurs 3–5 times a day and can last for months
- Stuffy or runny nose
- Red eyes on the head that hurts
- Small pupil or drooping eyelid
Symptoms of right-sided headaches due to this condition can be similar to migraines. Besides, the trigger hemicrania continua not yet known for sure. However, some things can make symptoms worse, such as stress, changes in sleep patterns, fatigue, excessive exercise, and drinking too much alcohol.
Cluster headaches
Cluster headaches are attacks of pain that are often described as a burning, stinging, or stabbing sensation in one part of the head and around the eyes.
Cluster headaches can be triggered by a variety of things, from hot temperatures, too much physical activity or exercise, drinking too much alcohol or smoking, to strong odors from perfume, gasoline, or paint.
Headache cluster usually accompanied by the following symptoms:
- The pupil in one eye shrinks
- One of the eyelids is swollen or drooping
- Watery and red eyes
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Sweaty face
Cluster headaches are more common in adult men over the age of 30. In contrast to migraines that get better with rest, the symptoms of cluster headaches usually persist, even if the sufferer rests.
Until now, the cause of cluster headaches is still not clearly known. However, there are several factors that can make a person more at risk of developing this condition, namely frequent consumption of alcoholic beverages, smoking habits, brain injury, stress, and allergies.
In addition to the various causes above, right-sided headaches may also be caused by other conditions or diseases, such as brain tumors, strokes, sinusitis, high blood pressure, brain infections, or neurological disorders, such as trigeminal neuralgia.
Treating Recurrent Right Side Headaches
Because it can be caused by many things, complaints of right-sided headaches should be checked by a doctor, especially if you experience it often or if the pain sensation is quite severe.
After conducting an examination and knowing the cause of the right-sided headache you feel, the doctor will provide the appropriate treatment. Treatment of right-sided headaches aims to reduce pain, reduce headache duration, and prevent recurrent headache attacks.
To treat complaints of headaches on the right, doctors can give the following types of drugs:
- Antidepressants to treat headaches due to depression, sleep disorders and anxiety disorders
- Beta blockers to treat high blood pressure and prevent frequent migraines
- Antiseizure medications to prevent and treat chronic headaches and migraines
- Injection botulinum toxin (Botox) for patients who experience tension in the muscles in the head and neck that cannot be relieved by other drugs
Tips for Preventing Headaches on the Right
Here are things you can do to prevent right-sided headaches from occurring:
- Adequate sleep, at least 7-9 hours every night.
- Limit things that can trigger right-sided headaches, such as drinks containing caffeine or alcohol or certain scents.
- Drink enough water to prevent dehydration
- Eat regularly and choose a nutritionally balanced diet.
- Exercise regularly and regularly, ie for 20-30 minutes every day.
- Avoid taking over-the-counter headache relievers too often.
- Manage stress well, for example with relaxation, yoga, or meditation.
Right-sided headaches can sometimes go away on their own without special treatment, but they can also persist for quite a long time.
If you feel a headache on the right side or in another part of the head suddenly, gets worse, recurs frequently, or is accompanied by fever, stiff neck, difficulty moving limbs, or visual disturbances, consult a doctor immediately for proper examination and treatment. appropriate.