Headache Location: What It Means, Left or Right Side and When to Worry (UK)

Headache location chart

This chart is based on the NHS pages for each type of headache and NICE’s headache guideline (CG150). NICE notes that headache pain can be felt in the head, face or neck, and the same type can move around. Use it as a guide, then look at the type of pain and what comes with it.

Headache at the front of the head or forehead

The front of the head is the most common place to feel an everyday headache.

• Tension headache: the NHS describes pain on both sides, as if something is pressing on your head or tightening around it. Many people feel it across the forehead. Our tension headache guide covers fast relief.
• Sinusitis: pain, swelling and tenderness around the cheeks, eyes or forehead, usually after a cold, with a blocked nose. See cold or flu?
• Eye strain or needing glasses: the NHS lists eyesight problems as a common cause. Book a sight test if headaches follow reading, driving or screens.
• Dehydration, alcohol and caffeine withdrawal: see the all over section below.

Headache in the temples

• Tension headache often sits at the temples as part of the band.
• Migraine: the International Headache Society says migraine pain is usually felt at the front and side of the head (frontotemporal).
• Jaw problems: the NHS says temporomandibular disorder (TMD) can cause pain around the jaw, ear and temple and a headache around the temples. Clenching or grinding your teeth at night can be part of it. See jaw pain.
• Temporal arteritis (giant cell arteritis): uncommon, but important if you’re over 50. NHS services describe a new headache at the front or side of the head, a sore or tender scalp, jaw pain when chewing or talking, and vision problems. It needs an urgent GP appointment or 111 the same day, because untreated it can cause sight loss.

Headache on the top of the head

A pressing or heavy feeling on top of the head is most often a tension headache, the “something pressing on your head” the NHS describes. Short or broken sleep, stress and long hours hunched over a desk are common triggers: see sleep debt and posture. Migraine can sometimes be felt here too.

One pattern needs checking: the NHS says get an urgent GP appointment or call 111 if a headache is triggered or made worse by coughing, sneezing, bending down or exercise.

Headache on one side: left or right

A headache on the left side of the head is no more serious than one on the right. Neither the NHS nor NICE treats either side as more dangerous. What matters is the type of pain, what comes with it and whether it is new for you.

Common one-sided causes:

• Migraine: the NHS says it is often on one side, throbbing and worse when you move, with feeling sick and sensitivity to light or sound. It usually lasts 4 hours to 3 days. Read our migraine guide.
• Cluster headache: rare but very severe, always on one side, around or above the eye and along the side of the head. Attacks last 15 minutes to 3 hours.
• Sinusitis on one side: the NHS says a GP may refer you to an ear, nose and throat specialist if symptoms are only on one side of the face.
• Temporal arteritis: pain at one or both temples in people over 50 (see temples).
• Trigeminal neuralgia: sudden, electric shock pains on one side of the face, jaw, teeth or gums, often set off by touch. The NHS says it usually starts between 50 and 60.

A one-sided headache with weakness or numbness on one side of the body, a drooping face or slurred speech is different: call 999.

Headache behind or over one eye

Pain over the right or left eye is usually a migraine, a cluster headache, sinusitis or eye strain. With a cluster headache the NHS describes a red, watering eye, a drooping or swollen eyelid and a blocked or runny nose on the same side. A painful red eye with blurred vision is different: it can be acute glaucoma, an emergency.

Our full guide to headache behind the eyes has a table to tell these apart, plus screen and sight test advice.

Headache at the back of the head and neck

• Tension headache: the NHS says the pain can be in the head, face or neck, so an ache at the base of the skull with tight shoulders is common.
• Neck strain and posture: long screen days and a poor pillow can leave the neck stiff and the back of the head sore. See stiff neck.
• Occipital neuralgia: less common. The International Headache Society describes shooting or stabbing pain in the back of the scalp, on one or both sides, along the occipital nerves. A GP can assess it.

If a headache at the back of the head comes with a stiff neck and a very high temperature, bright lights hurt, or there is a rash that doesn’t fade under a glass, call 999.

Headache all over or like a tight band

A dull ache across the whole head, or a band all the way round, usually has an everyday cause. The NHS lists colds and flu, stress, alcohol, skipped meals, dehydration, hormone changes around periods or the menopause, and taking too many painkillers.

• Caffeine withdrawal: a review of 66 studies found headache in about half of people in experiments, starting 12 to 24 hours after their last caffeine. See caffeine withdrawal.
• After drinking: see what helps a hangover.
• On waking: see waking up with a headache.
• Too many painkillers: NICE says to suspect medication overuse headache when headaches started or got worse while taking paracetamol, aspirin or ibuprofen on 15 or more days a month, or triptans, opioids or combination painkillers on 10 or more days, for 3 months or more.
• Hormones: see perimenopause symptoms.

Where is a dehydration headache felt?

There’s no single fixed spot. A dehydration headache can be felt all over, at the front or on one side. In a small UK survey, about 1 in 10 people asked got a headache when they went without fluids. For most it was an ache made worse by moving the head, bending down or walking. Drinking water cleared it within 30 minutes for 22 of 34 people, and within 1 to 3 hours for most of the rest.

Other clues point to dehydration more than location does. The NHS lists thirst, dark yellow and strong-smelling pee, peeing less often, a dry mouth, tiredness and feeling light-headed. Drink fluids, starting with small sips if you feel sick. See how much water should I drink?

What helps, wherever it hurts

The NHS self-care advice is the same for most everyday headaches:

• drink plenty of water and don’t skip meals
• rest, and try to relax: stress can make headaches worse
• take paracetamol or ibuprofen if they’re suitable for you, following the pack
• don’t drink alcohol, don’t sleep more than you usually would, and don’t strain your eyes for long periods

A pharmacist can help you choose a painkiller, especially if you take other medicines.

Keep a headache diary

If headaches keep coming back, a diary tells you and your GP far more than location alone. NICE suggests keeping one for at least 8 weeks, recording how often, how long and how bad each headache is, other symptoms, every medicine taken, possible triggers and any link to periods. Add where it hurt each time. Copy this table onto paper or into your phone notes:

When to get help

Call 999 or go to A&E if you have a headache and:

• it started suddenly and is extremely painful (a “thunderclap” headache)
• you’ve had a head injury in the last 3 months
• you have numbness or weakness in your face or body, or find it hard to speak, balance, walk or remember things
• you’re drowsy or confused, or have had a fit
• you’ve lost your vision, or have a red, very painful eye
• you have a very high temperature, a stiff neck, bright lights bother you, or a rash doesn’t fade when a glass is rolled over it
• you have a drooping eyelid or a smaller pupil for the first time

Don’t drive yourself to A&E.

Get an urgent GP appointment or call 111 if:

• you have a headache with vision or eye problems
• you’re over 50 with jaw pain when eating, a sore or tender scalp, or tender temples
• coughing, sneezing, bending down or exercise triggers it or makes it worse
• you have a headache and are being sick
• a child’s headache is getting worse or wakes them at night
• you’re pregnant or recently gave birth and have a severe headache that doesn’t ease with simple painkillers, or vision problems such as flashing lights (call your maternity unit first)

See a GP if:

• you get headaches regularly, or self-care isn’t helping or they’re getting worse
• a headache feels different from your usual ones

Where Evopure fits (honestly)

None of our products treats headaches, and the steps above and your GP come first. Where we can help is a calmer evening routine:

• Magnesium Glycinate Sleep Complex: a berry drink with magnesium bisglycinate and citrate in a 4.75g scoop. Magnesium contributes to normal psychological function and to a reduction of tiredness and fatigue.
• Reishi Mushroom Adaptogenic Complex: a reishi hot chocolate. It contains a little natural caffeine from the cacao, so have it earlier in the evening.
• Sleep CBD Oil: broad spectrum CBD with passion flower, for an evening routine.

The FSA’s 10mg a day figure is precautionary advice rather than a legal limit, set while longer-term safety research continues. At Evopure we think it is a very cautious figure, and many adults use more. If you go above it, increase slowly, and check with your GP or pharmacist first if you take any medication.

iIf you take any regular medicines, check with your GP or pharmacist first. We don’t recommend our products during pregnancy or breastfeeding. For adults (18+) only. For what the trials found, see our magnesium and migraine evidence review.