Headache on Left Side of Head – Top 26 Causes & Treatment

Overview of Headache on Left side of Head

Headache on the left side of head is the one of the common symptoms which can be caused by various reasons like head injury, migraine, TTH(Tension Type headache), atmospheric pressure, Anxiety, Sleep Disturbance, etc.

Nearly every individual once in a lifetime experiences Headache on the left side of head.
There can be many causes of left-side headaches, some of the most common causes of Left-sided headaches are discussed below-

Top 26 Causes of Headache on left side of Head

Below are the most common causes of headache on left side of head.

1.   Head Injury on left Side – Headache on the left side of head can be caused by direct or indirect injury on the left side of the head, face, neck, and forehead. Even injuries that are held during childhood can cause left side headaches after few years.

Left-side headache is caused by vascular or nerve injury due to blow on the left side of face or head. There can be mild or severe bleeding from the blood vessels, leading to left-hand side headache.

Headache which is caused by nerve injuries will be sharp and severe. In most cases, when a headache is due to injury it becomes episodic, it can come again and again even after treatment.

2.  Dental caries on the left side – Tooth decay in the left side of the mouth can lead to left side headache. The pain caused by dental caries can be very severe if not diagnosed and treated on time. It can lead to numbness of whole left side of face, head, and jaw.

The individual can also experience tingling sensation over face and head. Dental pain reaches the nerve supplying the forehead which in turn cause the headache on left side of head. The severity of pain becomes from mild to severe if proper care is not done and early diagnosis of dental caries is not performed.

3.  Migraine:- Migraine is a neurological condition in which individual experiences unilateral or the one-sided headache like headaches on left side of head, headaches on top of the head, headaches on the right side of the head, pain behind the eye, or, headache in front of the head. Read More

Individuals suffering from migraine have a brain that is highly sensitive to environmental and sensory stimuli .  Various triggers are responsible to trigger the Migraine which in turn can trigger the headache on the left side of the head. The most common triggers are-

• Bright Lights
• High-frequency sound
• Hunger
• Taking Excess stress
• Physical exertion
• Stormy Weather or Barometric pressure changes.
• Hormonal fluctuations during the mensuration cycle.
• Restlessness or Lack of sleep
• Alcohol and other chemical stimulation

4.  Otitis Media (Left Ear Pain) – Any bacterial ear infection which causes otitis media can also result in headache on left side of head. In Otitis media the middle ear get infected due to which nerves present in middle ear get inflamed leading to neurologic headache on left side.

The treatment of otitis media help in relieving the left hand side headache also, because the inflammation of nerve also reduces with the antibiotic medication.

5. Refractive Error – Any illness related to vision like myopia, hypermetropia, or presbyopia can cause the headache on left side of head. In this condition, the individual is not able to focus and see clearly without spectacles and stresses on the nerves supplying the eyes which can lead to headache on left side, or right side headache, headache on top of head, headache in front of head.

6. Stroke – Stroke is a medical emergency, which needs the immediate medical attention of health care experts. In stroke blood supply is reduced to the blood vessels of the brain due to hemorrhage or ischemia. In a stroke headache is very sudden, sharp, and severe and can be left side headache or right side headache depending upon the blood vessels involved.

7. Hypertension – Hypertension is commonly known as high blood pressure, which can lead to headache on left side of head. Blood pressure above the normal level ( 120/80mmhg) can cause hypertension in individuals and can develop headaches on left side. In USA hypertension is usually diagnosed after multiple episodes of headache experienced by the individuals for which they seek medical care.

Once the individual start taking treatment for hypertension and modifies his/her lifestyle the headache episodes and their severity are reduced automatically.

8. Uncontrolled Diabetes Mellitus- Sometimes uncontrolled blood sugar levels also cause headache with might be headache on left side of head.  Diabetes Mellitus is a metabolic disorder which is controlled by usually by oral hypoglycemic agents. If the blood sugar levels are above the range of normal blood sugar level then it can lead to variety of symptoms like headache, daziness, light-headedness, etc.

9. Viral Infection – Viral infections like SARC(Covid-19), Dengue, Chickenpox, Monkeypox, Herpes zoster, chikungunya, can also lead to unilateral headaches (headache on left side of head).  The headache severity depends upon the viral load and with the decrease in viral load the headache severity also reduced.

10. Meningitis(Bacterial Infection) – Also known as inflammation of the outer covering of the brain, Symptoms of Meningitis can vary up to a wide extend such as seizure, fever, headache on left side of head, headache on the right side of the head, nausea, vomiting, loss of consciousness, etc.Meningitis usually responds well to broad-spectrum antibiotics (IV) and symptoms of meningitis can be reduced.

11. Trigeminal Neuralgia – Trigeminal Neuralgia occurs due to inflammation of the trigeminal nerve which supplies the jaw, face, and forehead and due to inflammation pain occurs in the whole area supplied trigeminal nerve. The most affected areas are headache on left side of head, headache on the top of head, headache in front of head.

Trigeminal Neuralgia is a chronic condition that can last up to several years causing multiple episodes of unilateral or headache on left side of head.

12. Tension Headache – Tension type Headaches (TTH) are the most common type of headache which affects individuals, TTH develops pressure and pain on both sides of head causing headache on left side of head, headache on right side of head. Read More

13. Cluster Headache – Cluster headaches are not common and found rare in individuals. Cluster headache occurs in pattern or clusters causing pain on one side of the head usually left side or right side. The severity of headache on left side of head or headache on right side of head can increase if triggers are not identified and not treated well. Read More

14. Sinusitis – Sinusitis is the inflammation of paranasal sinusitis. Frontal sinusitis is the most common of all the sinusitis to cause headache on the unilateral side (left side headache), if only one-sided sinus is involved. Headache can occur on both sides of head if both frontal sinuses are affected.

15. Cervicogenic headache- The pain in neck, or involvement of cervical region of backbones can cause headache on the left side of head, which may be associated with dizziness, vertigo, unconsciousness, etc.

16. Glaucoma – It is a condition of eye that can cause loss of vision, headache on left side of head, vomiting, and nausea due to high eye pressure (intracranial tension—ICT). Medical experts are needed to diagnose this condition and immediate emergency care is needed to prevent permanent blindness due to Glaucoma.

17. Hormonal Changes – Hormonal changes in the condition such as pregnancy, mensuration cycle, hormone replacement therapy, and after menopause, can lead to headache on the left side of head, headache on the right side of the head in females. Headache due to hormonal changes can be diagnosed only by clinical examination without any investigation.

18. Post-Traumatic Headache – Headache after trauma or headache that occurs after a head injury can lead to a one-sided headache in the individuals like headache on left side of head.

19. Sleep Disorder – Disturbances in sleep patterns or lack of sleep can trigger a one-sided headache. This is commonly seen in nigh shift workers due to abnormal working hours, mobile overuse at night, and overseas travel (jetlag). The person feels the pressure on left side or top head causing headache on left side of head or headache over the top of head.

20. Allergies- Some individuals are sensitive to pollen, hay, smoke, and dust, which develop headache and other symptoms like cough, cold, sneezing, and dizziness in individuals. The severity of the headache is usually mild and can be one sided like headache on the left side of head, headache on the right side.

Symptoms of allergies resolve when the allergen is removed from the immediate environment of the sensitive individual.

21. Neck and Spine Issues – Any disorder in neck and spine muscles because of long sitting hours, excessive exercise, injury in neck or spine, sleeping in wrong posture can develop one-sided headache like headache on left side of head or right side headache in person.

22. Dehydration – Dehydration is the condition in which decrease in water content body occurs. The common causes are environmental changes (usually summer), vomiting, diarrhea, dysentery, or excessive sweating. Dehydration can lead to variety of symptoms like headache (headache on left side of head, headache on right side of head), dryness of mouth, or sunken eyes.

23. Weather Changes – Environmental changes like dust, smoke, summers, sudden rise or drop of temperature  can cause headache on left side of head due to allergies, excessive sweating and environmental conditions.

24. Medication Overuse –  If you have any underlying condition and overuse of certain drugs such as pain relivers or others can lead to rebound headache causing pain on one side of head (either left side headache pain or right side headache pain).

25. Brain Tumor – Brain tumors are the mass lesion/growth of tissues in the brain which can occur in any area of brain causing localized pain on one side of the head. The brain tumor can be benign or malignant type. The headache episodes are usually one sided causing headache on left side of head, headache on the right side of the head.

26. Drugs, Alcohol & Smoking– Avoid taking any kind of drugs, Stop consuming alcohol and avoid smoking (active and passive smoking) because all three destroy your health and can lead to headache episode on left side of head.

How to Prevent Headache on Left side of Head?

Individuals experiencing the one-sided headache or headache on left side of head can be distressing and impacts your daily routine. Below are the tips to prevent the headache on the left side of the head:

1. Drink plenty of water and stay hydrated – keeping body hydrated by intaking fluids, water is necessary to keep your body hydrated. Aim to drink at least 8 to 10 glass of water or more if you live in hot area or involved in more physical work, exercise, etc.
2. Sleep – Sleep disorder, lack of sleep or irregular sleeping patterns should be avoided to prevent headache on left side of head. Take sleep of atleast 7 to 8 hours daily at night and avoid taking any caffeine, alcohol for smooth sleep.
3. Managing Stress – Stress is one of the common trigger on headache on left hand side of head. Identify and treat sources of your stress such as toxic office environment, relationships, or financial issues.

Adopt techniques to reduce stress like meditation, yoga, deep breathing, engaging yourself in your hobbies and activities like painting, swimming, running, exercise etc.

1. Improper posture – Watch your posture while sleeping, doing exercise, sitting on chairs while working for long hours. Poor or wrong postures can lead to TTH (tension type headache) causing one side headache like headache on left side of head etc.

To avoid the same, maintain the proper posture of neck and shoulders, sitting comfort etc while working, sleeping or at work.

1. Take regular breaks – Try to take regular breaks from the long activity, if you are spending long hours via sitting on chair, staring at screen, involve in physical activity like lifting loads or standing work. Try to take a short break after every 2 hours for short interval of time. Doing continuous work for long hours or sitting in same posture for long hours develops the one sided headache( left side headache or right side headache).If you have to work regularly on computer screen for long hours, rest your eyes after every 2 hours for at least 10 minutes.
2. Do regular exercise at least 1 hour each day and stay physically active – Regular exercise should be done to maintain the body weight and develop strength which help in reducing frequency and severity of headaches.Do regular exercise, aerobics, brisk walking, cycling, or swimming to maintain overall health and well-being.
3. Seek Medical attention – If you continue to experience the headache on the left side of your head regularly or episodic, even after making changes in your lifestyle. It is necessary to consult your healthcare expert and consult for proper diagnosis and treatment because headache on the left side of head can also be symptom of any other severe underlying medical condition that may require medical attention.

Treatment for headache on left side of head

Treatment of headache on the left side of the head depends upon the causes, severity of headache episodes, and headache trigger.

Below are the potential treatment methods for headache on left side of head for consideration-

1. Use of Over-the-counter pain medications such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help in relieving the mild to moderate headache.
   Before takin the medication for headache it is necessary to follow the dosage after consulting your health care expert and also tell them if you have any other underlying health condition or you are following any other medications.
2. Prescribed Medications – Prescribed stronger medications such as triptans or other medicines may be prescribed by your healthcare advisor if over-the-counter pain medication are not successful in treating headache on left side of head.
3. Lifestyle changes – By Making healthy lifestyle changes such as staying hydrated, eating fruits and vegetables, avoiding alcohol, stop smoking, getting good sleep, doing regular exercise can help in managing the left side headache of head.
4. Practicing Relaxation Techniques such as Yoga, Deep breathing, meditation, or muscle relaxation can help in reducing the stress and can help in treating headaches.
5. Avoiding Headache Triggers – Maintain a headache diary to identify the triggers which lead to your headache on the left side of head such as food, alcohol, routine, or environmental changes. Once headache triggers are identified, avoid or eliminate those triggers from your lifestyle to reduce the headache frequency and severity.
6. Botox Injection – Botox injections are recommended by the medical experts in case of chronic migraines as preventive treatment . Botox injections are injected to specific muscles of head and neck to reduce the severity and episodes of headache.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What does left sided headache mean?

 Ans. Headache on the left side of your head could be due to TTH (tension type headache), Migraine, cluster headache or any head injury.
Other factors contributing to left sided headache are lifestyle factors like sleep disorder, wrong posture, increased blood sugar levels, high blood pressure, or tumor.

Q2. How to get rid of headache on left side of my head?

 Ans. Take proper sleep, stay hydrated, do regular exercises, take medications like Tylenol, ibuprofen, or acetaminophen after consulting your healthcare expert if you are already on other medicines.

Q3. Are one sided headaches serious?

Ans. One sided headache are normal, if the severity of headache pain is low and frequency is very less but to rule out the other disease you should consult with your healthcare expert because it could be the symptom of other disease like migraine, TTH(tension type headache) etc.

Q4. How long the left hand side headache lasts?

Ans. Left side headaches can last from 45 minutes to several hours, depending upon the causes and severity of headache. Take proper sleep and medication if the headache does not stop after an hour like Tylenol, ibuprofen, or acetaminophen after consulting your healthcare expert if you are using any other medication for the secondary illness.

Q5. What is the best solution for headache on left side of head?

 Ans. The immediate solution to treat headache on left side of head is medication if you are experiencing headaches for long time. Medications like ibuprofen, Tylenol, or acetaminophen can help in relieving headache pain. Apart from these use below methods-
a. Take proper sleep in a quiet area.
b. Massage the affected area
c. Do Deep breathing, Yoga or meditation.
d. Stay hydrated.

Q6. Why am I getting headache on left side of head?

 Ans. Headache on left side of head can be the due to Primary headache, head injury, Cluster headache, Tension type headache or Stroke.

Q7. How to prevent headache on left side of head?

 Ans. To prevent the left side of head, avoid headache triggers, use headache medication such as ibuprofen, Tylenol, or acetaminophen, stay hydrated, avoid improper postures, take proper sleep and rest.