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What Causes Left-sided Pulsating Pain At The Top Of My Head?
Question: I have a painful pulsing like pain at to top of my head. No other symptoms just the pain at the very top right side
I'm sorry but it's the top left side of my head
I'm sorry but it's the top left side of my head
Brief Answer:
Several possibilities
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
Since you do not mention it I am assuming that this is the first such headache that you are experiencing.
Generally pulsating headache is a manifestation of migraine. However migraine usually has accompanying phenomena like nausea, vomiting, increased sensitivity to noise and light. Also it starts earlier on in life than your age typically.
Another type of primary headache (primary meaning without an identifiable cause) which can manifest that way would be tension type headache. It is commonly triggered by stress, fatigue and anxiety. Usually it improves with use of Ibuprofen (Advil).
Among other possible causes high blood pressure should be considered. After the age of 50 it becomes more and more common with age. High blood pressure values may be associated with such headache, so a couple of measurements are advised.
If Ibuprofen doesn't work, you do not have a prior history of headache and no other cause such as high blood pressure or fever is evident then brain lesions should be considered. It is unlikely for them not to have other symptoms and manifest that way, but in order to make sure if pain is persistent head imaging through CT or MRI would be advised. Some routine blood tests like blood count, sedimentation rate, glucose, liver and kidney function, electrolyte panel should also be done to screen for anemia, infections or metabolic changes.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Several possibilities
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
Since you do not mention it I am assuming that this is the first such headache that you are experiencing.
Generally pulsating headache is a manifestation of migraine. However migraine usually has accompanying phenomena like nausea, vomiting, increased sensitivity to noise and light. Also it starts earlier on in life than your age typically.
Another type of primary headache (primary meaning without an identifiable cause) which can manifest that way would be tension type headache. It is commonly triggered by stress, fatigue and anxiety. Usually it improves with use of Ibuprofen (Advil).
Among other possible causes high blood pressure should be considered. After the age of 50 it becomes more and more common with age. High blood pressure values may be associated with such headache, so a couple of measurements are advised.
If Ibuprofen doesn't work, you do not have a prior history of headache and no other cause such as high blood pressure or fever is evident then brain lesions should be considered. It is unlikely for them not to have other symptoms and manifest that way, but in order to make sure if pain is persistent head imaging through CT or MRI would be advised. Some routine blood tests like blood count, sedimentation rate, glucose, liver and kidney function, electrolyte panel should also be done to screen for anemia, infections or metabolic changes.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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