I had a tooth ache for awhile but then it
went away but now I have this terrible
pressure and pain that starts at my right
temple and goes all the way down the
right side of my head. I can't sleep
laying down anymore because of the pain.
What is wrong?
Given the description of this headache
(“…pain that starts at my right temple
and goes all the way down the right side
of my head…”), you could be
experiencing either migraine or a tension
headache. Migraines is a primary
headaches with unknown cause. Tension
headaches are a large group of headaches
caused by various reasons.
Tension headaches result from the
contraction of neck and scalp muscles. One
cause of this muscle contraction is a
response to stress, depression or anxiety.
Any activity that causes the head to be
held in one position for a long time
without moving can cause a headache. Such
activities include typing or use of
computers, work with the hands, and the
use of a microscope, for example. Sleeping
in a cold room or sleeping with the neck
in an abnormal position may also trigger
this type of headache. Other causes
include eye strain, fatigue, alcohol use,
excessive smoking, excessive caffeine use,
sinus infection, nasal congestion,
overexertion, colds, and influenza.
Tension headaches are not associated with
structural lesions in the brain.
It is very important that you exclude
possible organic brain disorders for this
headache such as a brain tumor, infection
etc. That can be achieved by performing
MRI of the head. You may consult a
neurologist about this for follow up and
more information.
DISCLAIMER: "Ask a Doctor" Questions are answered by Dr. Nikola Gjuzelov, General Practitioner. Dr. Gjuzelov practices medicine for the general public and is affiliated with the Republic of Macedonia Public Health Institution. For more information about Dr. Gjuzelov or other eHealthForum.com medical experts, please visit our About Us page. You may also visit our Headache and Migraines Forum, for moderated patient to patient support and information.
The material presented in the eHealth Forum Discussion Forums and Ask A Doctor is in no way intended to replace professional medical care or attention by a qualified licensed medical professional. eHealth Forum and eHealth Forum's Ask A Doctor advises all users with health problems and concerns to consult their personal doctors. Furthermore, if you have any questions or concerns about your condition, you must consult your qualified licenseced medical professional before starting any treatment.
The materials in the eHealth Forum Discussion Forums and Ask A Doctor cannot and should not be used as a basis for diagnosis or choice of treatment. To the fullest extent possible, eHealth Forum and eHealth Forum's Ask A Doctor expressly excludes all liability in respect of the information and opinions contained in the Discussion Forums and Ask A Doctor, this Web site, or any sites linked to this Web site.
