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Suggest Treatment For Dull Headache On The Right Side Of Head
Question: I have a dull headache that is tender to touch on the right side of my head and a sharp shooting pain in my ear area. (not inside the ear) that also shoots into my head on occasion. Have had this for a couple weeks.
Brief Answer:
Many possibilities.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I am sorry about the symptoms you are experiencing.
It is a little unclear whether the dull pain is more on the posterior or the anterior part of your head. If anteriorly I think local issues such as tooth infection, or problems with the temporo-mandibular joint (the juncture of the mandible and the skull) might produce a similar picture, both can irradiate towards the ear and an evaluation from a dentist might be required. Ear infection is a less probable cause. Ibuprofen is a good alternative till you get that checked.
If on the other hand the pain is more posteriorly especially if the neck is involved as well then cervical issues would be more probable. They are common with age and compression to exiting cervical nerves especially the occipital nerve might cause the pain with shooting episodes, called occipital neuralgia. Diabetes makes that more likely. For that, treatment with neuropathic pain drugs might be added which are either of the anticonvulsant group (gabapentin, pregabalin) or antidepressant group (amitriptyline, duloxetine). If those are ineffective nerve block injection might be discussed, though perhaps I am rushing too far ahead.
As for the possibility of more serious issues, brain lesionss like stroke, tumor etc, those are less likely, apart from having usually other signs that picture of tenderness to the touch, shooting pain is not typical for them. However if symptoms persisting and all the rest is excluded brain imaging would be reasonable.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Many possibilities.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I am sorry about the symptoms you are experiencing.
It is a little unclear whether the dull pain is more on the posterior or the anterior part of your head. If anteriorly I think local issues such as tooth infection, or problems with the temporo-mandibular joint (the juncture of the mandible and the skull) might produce a similar picture, both can irradiate towards the ear and an evaluation from a dentist might be required. Ear infection is a less probable cause. Ibuprofen is a good alternative till you get that checked.
If on the other hand the pain is more posteriorly especially if the neck is involved as well then cervical issues would be more probable. They are common with age and compression to exiting cervical nerves especially the occipital nerve might cause the pain with shooting episodes, called occipital neuralgia. Diabetes makes that more likely. For that, treatment with neuropathic pain drugs might be added which are either of the anticonvulsant group (gabapentin, pregabalin) or antidepressant group (amitriptyline, duloxetine). If those are ineffective nerve block injection might be discussed, though perhaps I am rushing too far ahead.
As for the possibility of more serious issues, brain lesionss like stroke, tumor etc, those are less likely, apart from having usually other signs that picture of tenderness to the touch, shooting pain is not typical for them. However if symptoms persisting and all the rest is excluded brain imaging would be reasonable.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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