Common Causes of Left-Side Headaches and What They Mean

Experiencing pain on the left side of your head can be concerning, and understanding the potential causes is essential for proper treatment. Below are some of the most common reasons behind left-sided headaches.

1. Temporal Arteritis

Temporal arteritis is a condition often seen in older adults and can present with symptoms such as low-grade fever and severe headaches localized on one side of the head. During a physical examination, doctors may notice swollen or hardened blood vessels in the temple area. This condition requires prompt medical attention to prevent complications like vision loss.

2. Migraine

Migraines are a common cause of recurring headaches, often affecting one side of the head—either the left or right. These headaches can be triggered by stress, fatigue, poor sleep, or emotional strain. The duration of a migraine episode can vary from a few hours to several days. It's typically accompanied by other symptoms like nausea, sensitivity to light, and visual disturbances.

3. Trigeminal Neuralgia

If you experience sharp, electric-like pain on the left side of your forehead or face, it could be a sign of trigeminal neuralgia. This condition affects the trigeminal nerve, which is responsible for transmitting sensations from the face to the brain. The pain is usually sudden and episodic, lasting only a few seconds to minutes but can be extremely intense.

4. Other Nerve-Related Conditions

Left-sided headaches can also stem from other neurological conditions such as occipital neuralgia or greater auricular neuralgia. These typically involve pain in the back of the head or near the ear and are caused by irritation or damage to the affected nerves. Pain from these conditions is often described as burning or shooting and may be mistaken for a migraine or tension headache.