There are many causes of left-sided head pain. According to the Mayo Clinic website, most headaches and head pain are minor, although some types of head pain may be caused by a serious underlying health problem. Head pain that has no apparent cause or head pain that gets worse over time are indications that a person should seek medical treatment as soon as possible. Some types of head pain manifest on only one side of the head.
Temporal Arteritis
Temporal arteritis can cause left-sided head pain. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health, temporal arteritis is inflammation of blood vessels that bring blood to the head. Over time, inflammation can cause damage within these blood vessels, causing pain and, in some cases, death of the affected artery. Temporal arteritis occurs in the head, usually in the temporal arteries, which branch off the carotid artery in the neck. Although there is no known cause of temporal arteritis, it's believed that a faulty immune response may play a major role. Common signs and symptoms associated with temporal arteritis include the following: a throbbing headache on one side of the head, muscle aches, jaw pain or discomfort, anorexia or loss of appetite, weakness, fatigue, vision problems, fever and excessive sweating. The NIH states that most people are able to recover from temporal arteritis, although the condition may return later on.
Migraine Headaches
Migraine headaches can cause left-sided head pain. The Mayo Clinic website states that migraines are chronic headaches that can last for hours to several days. Migraine symptoms often cause a person to seek out a dark, quiet place to rest until symptoms have abated, as migraines increase a person's sensitivity to light and sound. Some migraine sufferers experience auras--flashes of light, blind spots or tingling sensations in the extremities--before or during the migraine headache. Common signs and symptoms associated with migraine headaches include the following: moderate to severe throbbing head pain that occurs on one or both sides of the head, pain that's made worse with physical exertion, an inability to perform activities of daily living due to pain and nausea and vomiting. According to the Mayo Clinic website, there are several factors that may trigger a migraine, including hormonal changes in women, certain foods and beverages, stress, abnormal sleep-wake cycles, environmental changes and certain medications.
TMJ Disorders
TMJ disorders can cause pain in the left side of the head. According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, or NIDCR--a division of the National Institutes of Health--temporomandibular joint disorders are a collection of conditions that cause pain and dysfunction in the jaw joint. The NIDCR states that there are three principle categories of TMJ conditions: myofascial pain, internal joint derangement and inflammatory joint conditions that affect the TMJ. Common signs and symptoms associated with TMJ disorders include the following: jaw pain that radiates to the face, neck or head, jaw muscle stiffness, reduced jaw joint active range of motion, clicking or popping in the jaw upon opening or closing the mouth and changes in the way the upper and lower teeth fit together. According to the NIDCR, self-care practices for TMJ disorders include icing the affected area, eating soft foods, avoiding extreme jaw movements and learning relaxation and meditation techniques to reduce stress and anxiety.
