• Cluster Headaches
• Migraines

Headache Pain on the Right Side: What Does it Mean?

Many factors come into play as to why someone may experience a headache. The pain you feel from a headache is a neurological response to stress, inflammation, or medications in the body. The pain does not always have to start in the head for it to trigger a headache.

Neurological conditions like tumors, aneurysms, and blood vessel diseases influence nerves in the body and may lead to intense headaches you feel on the right or left side of the head. 

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a joint disorder that may cause a headache above the right temple or both temples. Tumors and rare neurological conditions sometimes cause pain in the back right side of your head.

Some people may get headaches frequently because of genetics, while others may only feel the occasional headache now and then. In some cases, a new medication may trigger head pain on one side of the head.

Overusing certain medications may lead to pain on the right side of the head. Some OTC headache medications contribute to rebound headaches — recurring headaches from using pain medications for too long. Other types of medications that may trigger headaches include:

• Antidepressants

• Birth control pills

• NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)

• Prescription pain medications

Three main different types of headaches may cause pain on the right side of the head. Cluster headaches often result in pain behind the eyes and on one side of the head. Migraines are a severe type of headache that may be passed on genetically, especially in those who experience trauma at a young age. The most common type of headache that most people experience is a tension headache. 

Causes of tension headaches

Feelings of nervousness and anxiousness may cause tension near the head and neck. This type of headache often causes pain above the right eye. Other common causes of tension headaches include:

• Sleeping in an uncomfortable position

• Eye strain from reading or looking at a screen for a long time

• Clenching the jaw

• Chewing gum for a long time

Causes of cluster headaches

Cluster headaches are often felt behind the eyes and recur for a short period of time. The exact cause of this type of headache is unknown. However, health experts believe that they may be related to the release of natural chemicals like serotonin and histamine from the body. 

People who smoke tobacco or excessively drink alcohol are more likely to experience cluster headaches.

Other potential causes of cluster headaches include:

• Nitrates and other chemicals in foods

• Overexertion from exercise

• Cocaine use

• High altitude changes

Causes of migraine headaches

Migraines cause a persistent, piercing pain on one side of the head. Certain triggers for migraines may include:

• Foods like red wine, certain cheeses, and chocolate

• Sleep disorders

• Dehydration

• Stress

• Anxiety

• Abrupt changes in light and temperature

• Strong smells

• Chemicals in foods like nitrates and nitrites

• Hormonal changes

Migraine triggers differ for everyone who experiences this type of headache. Be sure to speak with a healthcare provider about potential triggers of migraines. They may help you rule out unlikely causes and come up with a treatment plan.

Types of Headaches that Cause Pain on the Right Side

Pain from a headache sometimes feels like it’s all over your head before concentrating on one side or one spot. The following types of headaches tend to be felt on one side of the head:

Tension headaches: A primary type of headache that may cause a throbbing sensation on one or both sides of the head. These are often caused by stress, mood changes, anxiety, and lack of sleep.

Cluster headaches: Also known as trigeminal autonomic cephalalgia (TAC), a cluster headache is the most common type of headache and almost always occurs on one side of the head. These headaches trigger pain behind the eyes and recur for a short period of time. They tend to occur at the same time for multiple days and sometimes months. These types of headaches are more common in men.

Migraines: Pain from severe headaches may get in the way of daily activities. Migraines may make you sensitive to light, loud noises, and strong odors. They commonly feel like a piercing pain on one side of the head, but may also occur all around. Migraines are often felt on the right or left side of the brain.

Symptoms of a Headache on the Right Side

Depending on the type of headache you have, you may experience different symptoms and varying intensity levels. A severe headache may be a sign of a stroke. This occurs when there is reduced or blocked blood flow to the brain. A stroke may cause a loss of function on one side of the face, a droopy eyelid, and double vision.

What are tension headache symptoms?

Most people who experience the occasional headache have had a tension headache. A common symptom associated with tension headaches is a feeling of pressure in the face.

What are cluster headache symptoms?

Cluster headaches often occur on one side of the head and cause intense pain behind one or both eyes. You may feel bouts of intense pain for five to 10 minutes that increase as the hours pass. In addition to intense pain, you may also experience:

• Eyelid swelling

• Congestion

• Sweating

• Watery eyes

• Blood pressure changes

• Nose redness

• Restlessness

• Heart rate changes

This type of headache tends to happen at night and may interfere with quality sleep. Many people experience waking up in the middle of the night with intense pain behind the right eye. While rare, some people experience chronic cluster headaches that last for years.

Other types of TACs that may cause symptoms include paroxysmal hemicrania, SUNCT (short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform), and hemicrania continua headaches. Both paroxysmal hemicrania and SUNCT headaches cause throbbing pain on one side of the head and behind one eye. Hemicrania continua is a chronic headache that causes pain on both sides of the head.

These types of headaches may cause symptoms like:

• Tenderness

• Soreness

• Burning sensation behind the eye

• High blood pressure (hypertension)

What are migraine symptoms?

There are four stages of a migraine — the prodrome, aura, headache, and postdrome phases. The prodrome and aura phase occurs before the actual headache and may cause the following symptoms on the right or left side of the head:

• Mood shifts

• Vision changes

• Tingling in the hands and face

• Confusion

You may see zig-zag lines or flickering lights in the aura and headache phase. Migraines also cause the following symptoms during a headache and in the postdrome phase after a headache:

• Vomiting

• Nausea

• Increased urination

• Muscle weakness

• Constipation

• Dizziness

• Fatigue

Throbbing pain from a migraine most often occurs on only one side of the head. Women may experience migraines more often around their menstrual cycles. 

How to Prevent a Headache on the Right Side

Symptoms of cluster headaches may worsen from drinking alcohol and smoking tobacco. An important part of preventing headaches is knowing your triggers. For example, some people have a sensitivity to caffeine which may cause headaches.

If you experience migraines frequently, it’s important to avoid certain foods. The following foods may cause pain on one side of the head:

• Fermented foods

• Baked goods

• Dairy products

• Processed meats

• Avocado

• Red wine

• Citrus fruits and bananas

Try to avoid any perfume scents or loud environments that may trigger a migraine.

Tips for Headache Relief at Home

Over-the-counter (OTC) medications like Tylenol (acetaminophen) and Advil (ibuprofen) may help treat most mild to moderate headaches. Be careful to use OTC medications as instructed by your healthcare provider or as listed on the label. Overusing medications may lead to rebound headaches.

When to See a Healthcare Provider

Be sure to reach out to a healthcare provider immediately if you experience the following symptoms along with a headache:

• Slurred speech

• Changes in vision

• Redness in one eye

• Pain while chewing

• Fever

• Neck stiffness

• Vomiting

If your headaches get in the way of completing daily activities or getting quality sleep, this may be a sign of a more serious underlying health condition.

Where Can I Learn More About Managing Headaches?

Some headaches may be felt on only one side of the head, while others may feel like a throbbing pain all around. LifeMD can provide you with access to healthcare providers who can help you come up with a personalized treatment plan for both.

Schedule an appointment today to speak with a healthcare provider about treatment options and tips for managing pain.

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