Headache on top left side of head

Medically Reviewed By Deena Kuruvilla, MD

— Written By Janelle Marie Barowski

Updated on August 18, 2022

Pain on the left side of the head may be a symptom of many headache disorders. It does not point to a specific diagnosis. Treatment for a headache on the left side of your head will vary based on its cause. Contact a doctor immediately if you develop a sudden, severe headache.

This article will explain what a headache on the left side of your head may mean and what to do. However, it is important to remember that head pain on the left side is not a diagnosis in itself.

What could cause a headache on the left side of your head?

Side-locked headaches mean the headache only affects one side of the head. They may occur on the right or left side.

One example of a side-locked headache is called a cervicogenic headache. A disorder of the cervical spine causes it. You may notice neck pain alongside head pain.

Other causes of left-sided head pain do not only affect the left side of your head.

Migraine

Migraine is a neurological disease that can cause pain on one side of the head among other symptoms. You are more likely to develop migraine if someone in your family has it.

Migraine does not only affect the left side of the head. However, if the pain you are experiencing affects your ability to function, it may be migraine. Migraine headaches can cause intense, throbbing pain. The pain can last for hours.

About 25% of migraine headaches include aura. An aura is a change in senses that indicates a migraine headache is coming. Sometimes, a person’s vision or sense of smell will change. An aura usually lasts about an hour. 

Outside factors can cause migraine flare-ups. These are called triggers. Some of the most common triggers are:

• stress
• skipping meals
• changes in weather
• too much or too little sleep 

Learn how doctors diagnose and treat migraine here.

Cluster headache

Cluster headache is a very severe type of headache that involves shorter periods of pain. This type of headache is episodic. You may experience head pain for months and then be pain-free for years.  

Cluster headaches can cause pain on one side of the head, called unilateral pain, though it does not affect one side more than the other.

Cluster headaches cause frequent, severe head pain. Headaches usually only last a few hours but can happen multiple times a day. You may notice a pattern of when they occur. It is not uncommon for cluster headaches to disappear for periods of time. 

You are more likely to develop cluster headaches if you are:

• male
• over age 30
• drinking alcohol

Cluster headaches are one of the most severe types of head pain. Medical treatment is crucial to reducing attacks.

Learn more about cluster headaches.

Other causes

Some other causes of head pain include:

• stroke
• concussion
• brain aneurysm 
• head injury 

Not all headaches are medical emergencies. It is recommended to learn the signs of when to get urgent treatment.

Symptoms that may require medical intervention include:

• a severe headache that comes on rapidly and without warning
• a headache that feels like “the worst headache so far”
• a headache pattern that changes or gets worse
• a headache that won’t go away 
• a headache after you hit your head
• a headache alongside a loss of sensation or movement
• a headache that gets worse over time

Learn more about when to contact a doctor for headaches.

How do you treat a headache on the left side of your head?

A doctor may recommend different treatments for left-sided head pain based on the cause of the head pain. A brain and nervous system specialist called a neurologist can work with you to develop an effective treatment plan. 

It is important to remember that pain only on the left side of the head is not a known symptom of a certain condition. Your treatment may involve treating other, more general headache disorders that may be causing the pain.

For example, acute medication, such as over-the-counter or prescription pain relievers, can address immediate headache symptoms as they are occurring.

In other cases, your doctor may prescribe preventive medication, like in the case of migraine, so fewer episodes occur in a month.

Sometimes, lifestyle changes are needed to address headache pain. For example, mild dehydration can lead to headaches. Getting enough fluids each day may prevent these headaches.

How can you prevent a headache on the left side of your head?

You can prevent any headache by developing certain lifestyle changes and strategies. Headaches can develop when your body is out of its regular pattern, like getting less sleep than usual. Maintaining a consistently healthy routine may reduce daily headaches.

Consider adding or maintaining these daily habits to lower your risk of headaches:

• exercise regularly
• manage stress
• eat a nutritious, balanced diet
• avoid taking over-the-counter pain medication daily

If you avoid your headache trigger, you may lower your chances of developing a headache on the left side of your head. Triggers may be different from person to person. Pay attention to what causes your headaches so you can avoid your triggers. You can write down and track your triggers in a headache journal.

Here are some ways you can avoid common headache triggers:

• avoid or limit alcohol
• always wear a helmet to prevent head trauma while bicycling, roller-skating, etc.
• avoid skipping meals or fasting
• avoid flashing lights

Sometimes, headaches are unavoidable. But you can take action to minimize the risk of having one. 

Summary

Headache pain on the left side of the head is not a conclusive diagnostic sign. Many headache disorders can affect only one side of the head, but this can be either side equally.

It is important that you are able to recognize the warning signs of when a headache may be a symptom of a life threatening condition. 

Other times, migraine or cluster headaches may be causing your head pain. While these conditions are painful, they are not a medical emergency. However, you can still talk with a doctor for treatment to reduce the effects frequent headaches may have on your daily life.