Differential Diagnosis for Right Side Headache
- Single most likely diagnosis
- Migraine: This is often the most common cause of unilateral headaches, including those localized to one side of the head. Migraines can be accompanied by other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound.
- Other Likely diagnoses
- Tension headache: While often bilateral, tension headaches can occasionally present unilaterally and are a common cause of headache.
- Cluster headache: Known for severe, unilateral pain, typically around the eye, cluster headaches are less common but should be considered in the differential for unilateral head pain.
- Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder: Pain from TMJ disorders can radiate to the side of the head, making it a plausible cause for unilateral headaches.
- Do Not Miss (ddxs that may not be likely, but would be deadly if missed.)
- Subarachnoid hemorrhage: Although less common, a sudden, severe headache (often described as "the worst headache of my life") could indicate a subarachnoid hemorrhage, which is a medical emergency.
- Stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA): While headache is not the most common presenting symptom, it can occur, especially in hemorrhagic strokes or certain types of ischemic strokes.
- Temporal arteritis (giant cell arteritis): This condition can cause unilateral headache, especially in older adults, and is a medical emergency due to the risk of vision loss if not promptly treated.
- Rare diagnoses
- Occipital neuralgia: Involves the nerves that run from the base of the skull to the scalp and can cause severe, sharp, or stabbing pain on one side of the head.
- Trigeminal neuralgia: Although typically involves the face, in rare cases, the pain can radiate to the head, causing unilateral headache.
- Idiopathic stabbing headache: A rare condition characterized by brief, sharp pains, often on one side of the head.