The headache left side is one of the common health problems that many people often experience. This condition can be caused by many things, ranging from daily habit to symptoms of certain medical conditions.
Knowing the different causes of the left headache can help you and your doctor to determine the right treatment to cure headache as well as reduce the risk of serious complications in the later days. For more details, see the explanation below.
Cause of the headache left side
The left headache can occur due to some things. Usually the left headache can be recovered in a few hours and not to be feared. However, if the pain is felt intensely or not immediately disappear, you should visit the doctor for proper treatment.
The cause of the headache left side varies, from lifestyle factors such as frequent delays eating to the use of certain medications that do not conform to the rules. Here are some things that could cause the left headache:
Lifestyle factors:
Daily food.
Although not everyone felt it, but certain foods can also trigger a left headache, such as foods that contain preservatives, nuts, and processed meats.
Starving.
The next cause of headache left side is due to hunger. The brain needs sugar (glucose) from food as fuel to function optimally. If you do not eat, the blood sugar levels become decreased (hypoglycemia), as a result the brain responds to a headache.
Stress.
The next cause of left migraine is stressful. When we experience stress, the body releases chemicals that have the properties of “Figh or Fligh”. These chemicals make the muscles tense and alter the bloodstream, both of which cause headaches.
Wrong meal.
Another rarely-realized the cause of migraine is wrong eating. Certain foods are known to cause headaches, especially those that contain preservatives. Foods trigger headaches include old cheeses, red wines (drinks), nuts, and processed meats.
There are also some other conditions that can trigger a left headache, including:
Infections and allergies
Infections of the respiratory tract, such as flu, often accompanied by fever followed by a headache complaint. While in allergic reactions, it can occur narrowing of the airway and sinus cavity, thus often causing headaches.
Too often taking a pain reliever
Although the original goal is to treat headaches, pain reliever such as (aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, and paracetamol) that you commonly take can actually make the symptoms of headaches worse. Especially if you are taking these painkillers in excessive doses and taking more than 2-3 days per week. In fact, your headache will last longer than before.
Nerve disorders
In many cases, the left headache can also be caused by nerve problems. Here are some nerve problems that could cause headaches:
- Occipital neuralgia
- Giant cell arteritis
- Trigeminal neuralgia
The pressure is too strong on the head.
Using a helmet or head protector that is too strict and strong can give pressure on one or both sides of the head. This allows the pain in the left head.
Alco**hol.
Be**er, wi**ne and other alco**holic beverages contain ethanol, a chemical that triggers headaches because it can widen the blood vessels. When the blood vessels around the head are widened, it will cause pressure and sensitivity to the nerves in the head.
Lack of sleep
Sleep deprivation or Insomnia can trigger a left headache. Once the headache occurs, the pain can also make the sleep less at night. People with other sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea are also more susceptible to experiencing headaches.
Wrong sleep position
The most common problem is when the head position is not precise, or the pillow is not supported. In the morning when waking up, we will feel that our neck is painful or stiff, even to look right left or bent. If the neck muscle tension is on the left side, then this can be the cause of the left headache.
Other causes:
The headache left side also occurs as a result of:
- Injury.
- Glaucoma.
- High blood pressure. (Learn about The Danger and Symptoms High Blood Pressure)
- Brain tumor.
- Concussion.
- Stroke.
- Wrong sleep position.
- Tooth and gum problems.
The above conditions can cause some types of headaches, among which are migraines that feel like pulsing on one side of the head, although it may also be felt in the entire head, and cluster headaches, characterized by severe pain on one side of the head, the pain often felt until the eye on the side of the head hurts.
