What causes pain in the back of the head on the left side?
Jan 22, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Ziqi
Introduction
In general, pain in the back of the head on the left side may be caused by lack of sleep, muscle tension, temporal arteritis, migraine, cervical spondylosis, or other factors. Symptomatic treatment such as general therapy and medication may be required. It is recommended to engage in moderate daily exercise, such as jogging, swimming, or cycling, to promote blood circulation and help improve overall physical fitness.
Generally, pain in the back of the head on the left side may be caused by lack of sleep, muscle tension, temporal arteritis, migraine, cervical spondylosis, and other factors. Symptomatic treatment through general therapy, medication, and other methods may be necessary. If discomfort persists, it is recommended to seek timely medical attention and undergo appropriate treatment under a doctor's guidance. A detailed analysis is as follows:
1. Lack of Sleep
Due to poor mood, excessive mental stress, or irregular lifestyle habits, insufficient sleep duration and poor sleep quality may lead to inadequate rest for the brain, potentially causing brain dysfunction. Symptoms may include occipital headache, limb weakness, and poor mental condition. It is recommended to maintain a regular sleep schedule, create a quiet and comfortable sleeping environment, and avoid using electronic devices before bedtime.
2. Muscle Tension
Prolonged poor posture, excessive fatigue, or mental tension may cause tension in the head muscles, including those behind the ear, leading to pain. Symptoms may also include neck stiffness and shoulder discomfort. It is recommended to relieve muscle tension through methods such as heat application and massage, adjust sitting and standing postures, and avoid maintaining the same posture for extended periods.
3. Temporal Arteritis
Temporal arteritis is a vascular inflammatory disease primarily caused by abnormal immunity. In temporal arteritis, the immune system mistakenly attacks the blood vessel walls, causing inflammation, narrowing of the vessel lumen, and reduced blood flow, leading to pain. Symptoms may include fever, weight loss, and difficulty chewing. It is recommended to follow a doctor's instructions to use medications such as prednisone tablets, methylprednisolone tablets, and compound cyclophosphamide tablets for treatment.
4. Migraine
Migraine is usually caused by genetic factors, disordered excitability of nerve cells, environmental changes, and other factors. It may cause inflammatory reactions in perivascular tissues, stimulate pain nerve fibers, resulting in pain, accompanied by symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and photophobia. It is recommended to follow medical advice to use medications such as ibuprofen tablets, indomethacin tablets, and nimodipine tablets to relieve symptoms.
5. Cervical Spondylosis
Long-term cervical strain and degeneration may lead to cervical spondylosis. Herniated cervical discs or osteophyte formation may compress nerve roots, causing radiculitis and stimulating nerve endings, resulting in pain. Symptoms may include neck stiffness, arm numbness, and finger weakness. It is recommended to use medications such as chlorzoxazone tablets, eperisone hydrochloride tablets, and sodium naproxen tablets under a doctor's guidance.
It is also recommended to engage in moderate daily exercise, such as jogging, swimming, or cycling, to promote blood circulation and help improve physical fitness.
