Hello,
I have a headache that comes and goes on left hand side. It feels like someone is pushing my head together.
What could it be due to?
Alex
Hello,
Welcome to Aries Online Clinic.
Can I have more details, please?
How old are you?
Have you had headaches like this before and how long has this one been going on?
Where on the left side is the pain?
Do you wake up with the pain in the morning?
Dr. Das,
Aries Online Clinic
Hi Dr. Das,
I am 26 years old.
Yes, I have had headaches like this earlier – they come an d go.
The pain is mainly on top of the temple and along the sides of the head.
No, I do not wake u with the headache. It starts slowly as the day goes on and in quite severe in the afternoons.
Alex
Alex,
This is likely to be a tension headache due to spasm in the neck muscles. It doesn’t sound like a migraine or a sinus headache.
Stress or tension can cause the muscles of the head and neck to spasm causing a headache on the sides and above the temple.
Other causes could be dehydration or lack of sleep or muscle strain from too much computer use.
Please take Ibuprofen 200 mg twice daily and apply topical capsaicin cream to the back of your neck.
Drink plenty of fluids, especially an electrolyte containing drink like Gatorade or Pedialyte.
Sleep for at least 7-8 hours at night and avoid using the computer for more than 2 hours continuously. Take a break and exercise after 2 hours, especially the neck and upper shoulder.
If the headache still occurs, please see a doctor for an MRI of the head.
Dr. Das,
Aries Online Clinic.
Is it or could it be life threatening?
No, I certainly don’t think so but any headache that is persistent deserves an MRI of the brain to rule out an internal issue which could be the cause of the headache.
This certainly doesn’t sound like that but that’s my rule of thumb just to be absolute certain.
Ok thank you.
I will try out your advice.
Alex
You are welcome.
Glad I could help.
Let me know if you need more information.
Dr. Das,
Aries Online Clinic.