Headache on the Right Side: Causes & Treatment

A headache on the right side can be caused by several conditions, including a blow to the head, migraine, ear infections, or temporomandibular joint dysfunction. In some cases, it may also signal more serious problems such as glaucoma or, rarely, a brain tumor.

Depending on the cause, a headache on the right side may occur with symptoms like nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light, fever, trouble concentrating, or redness of the eye. The pattern of symptoms often helps identify whether the headache is related to neurological, ear, jaw, or eye conditions.

Treatment for a headache on the right side varies widely and may include pain relievers, antibiotics, migraine medications, or eye drops to reduce eye pressure. In specific situations, imaging tests or surgery may be needed to address the underlying cause and prevent complications.

Main causes

The main causes of a headache on the right side are:

1. A blow to the head

A right-sided headache is common after receiving a blow to the head on that side. While bumping your head usually does not cause other symptoms besides a small amount of localized pain and swelling, some people may experience dizziness or difficulties with sleep or concentration.

What to do: This type of headache should improve after a couple of days. However, the CDC recommends seeking emergency medical care right away if danger signs develop (such as a headache that gets worse or repeated vomiting), so a clinician can rule out a concussion or more serious brain injury.

Analgesics (pain relievers) like acetaminophen (Tylenol) may be indicated for pain.

2. Migraine

In some people, a right-sided headache may be caused by a migraine, which is usually accompanied by other symptoms such as sensitivity to light, nausea, and vomiting. 

Migraines tend to be recurring and are typically characterized by a throbbing headache that worsens with abrupt movement of the head.

What to do: Consult your primary care provider or a neurologist if you think you might be experiencing migraine. Neurologists are doctors that specialize in the treatment of headaches and other neurological conditions. 

Treatment typically involves analgesics like acetaminophen and ibuprofen or other migraine-specific medications like triptans and dihydroergotamine for acute attacks. Your provider may also recommend preventive therapy with other medications such as anticonvulsants (seizure medication) and beta blockers.

Regular physical activity, good sleep hygiene, staying hydrated, and eating at regular intervals may also help prevent migraine attacks.

3. Acute otitis media

A headache on the right side can develop as a result of inflammation from acute otitis media (middle ear infection) of the right ear. Common symptoms of an ear infection include fever and drainage of yellow fluid from the ear. 

What to do: Call your primary care provider if you suspect you might have an ear infection. Treatment may consist of antibiotics, antipyretics (fever reducing medications), and analgesics. 

4. Temporomandibular dysfunction

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction refers to abnormal functioning of the jaw joint that can cause right-sided headaches when the joint on that side is affected.

Pain may be felt in the joint, the ear, or alongside the eye, and is usually worse with movement of the jaw or pressing on the joint. People with TMJ dysfunction often present with difficulties opening and closing their mouths. 

What to do: Tell a healthcare provider if you are experiencing symptoms of TMJ dysfunction. First line TMJ treatment typically include analgesics and physical therapy to relieve symptoms.

Stress-reducing methods may be recommended to improve the pain, such as getting enough sleep and exercising regularly.

5. Glaucoma

Glaucoma in the right eye can sometimes cause sudden pain on the right side of the head, particularly around the affected eye. Other symptoms often include eye redness, blurry vision, nausea, and vomiting.

What to do: It is important to consult an ophthalmologist (eye doctor) if you have symptoms of glaucoma. According to the National Eye Institute (NEI), prescription eye drops are the most common treatment for glaucoma and work by lowering pressure inside the eye to help keep glaucoma from getting worse. In more severe cases, surgery may be needed.

Early treatment of glaucoma (as soon as symptoms are recognized) is important in order to prevent vision loss. 

6. Brain tumor

While rare, a right-sided headache may sometimes be caused by a brain tumor. In this case, other symptoms are likely to occur, such as seizures, nausea, vomiting, weakness in parts of the body, and temporary loss of vision.

What to do: Tell your doctor right away if you have symptoms of a brain tumor. You will likely be referred to a neurologist or neurosurgeon for further workup, which may include imaging tests such as computed tomography (CT scan) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). 

If the diagnosis of a brain tumor is confirmed, headaches will typically improve with treatment of the tumor, which may involve surgery or chemotherapy.

Consulting a specialist

Neurologists are doctors who specialize in neurological conditions, including headaches. They can perform a neurological (neuro) exam and order imaging tests such as an MRI to rule out more serious causes of headache such as brain tumors. Workup for a headache may begin with your primary care provider, followed by a referral to a neurologist. 

Based on the results of the workup, your primary care provider or neurologist may refer you to other specialties, such as otolaryngology (ENT), orthopedics, or ophthalmology, in order to confirm a diagnosis and determine the best treatment approach.