What could be the reason for one-sided throbbing headache?

Question

Hello doctor,

I would like you to read my MRI images. I have a headache, tightening of jaw, strained muscles at the back of the neck for the past two weeks.

I am currently on Levothyroxine and Progesterone.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I had a look at your MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) images (attachment removed to protect patient identity).

All the images look normal without any pathology. The headache could be because of several causes of your age.

Is the headache one-sided? Is it throbbing? Do nausea and vomiting accompany it? What is the duration of the headache? Are you able to eat because of the jaw clenching? How long your headache stays?

Please answer the above questions for me to give you the correct advice.

It does not look to be a worrying situation, as a basic MRI looks normal. However, a contrast would have been required if necessary.

Answer 2

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

So it seems the headache is of migrainous relation because it is mostly one-sided and throbbing.

Firstly, we need to recognize the stressors which cause this headache. The most common triggers of a migraine headache are stress, sunlight exposure, a fasting state, inappropriate sleep, certain kinds of jams or syrups, and sometimes increased caffeine intake.

What is the frequency of headaches in a week? What kind of jaw clenching do you face? Is it involuntary always? How much Levothyroxine you take?

It would help if you took tablet Aleve (Naproxen Sodium) 500 mg whenever required but not more than twice a week. How is your mood most of the time of the day? Are you irritated or sad?