Pain in Left Temple of Head: 12 Causes and Natural Treatments

by Dr. Mark Williams, MD · Published August 29, 2017 · Updated January 23, 2018

Over two-third of the total US population complains of a temple headache.

Irrespective of age and gender we all have experienced left temple pain or pain on left side of the neck.

You should not overlook left temple pain as it may be a sign of some severe underlying issue. It is highly critical to timely diagnose the factors responsible for pain in left temple of head.

Pain in the left temple of the head must be checked with other symptoms to avoid complexities. Let us see the factors that cause pain in left temple of head and the ways to treat it.

left temple pain causes

What Causes Pain in Left Temple of Head?

Why does my head hurt? If you find yourself pondering over this question look here:

1. Brain Tumor

A brain tumor is the first thought that may come to your mind if you experience severe pain in the head.

Brain tumor damages healthy tissues and nerves in the brain, shift the brain, or increase pressure in the skull. Symptoms depend on the size and location of the tumor in the brain.

People often experience a sharp temple headache or a headache on the top of the head. One may also notice:

Change in behavioral pattern
Nausea and vomiting
Problem in vision
Speech, and hearing problems

2. Tension Headache

Tension headaches are the most common types of headaches. Stress, lack of sleep or skipping food, poor posture, and muscle tension are the igniters of pain in left temple of the head.

A feeling of tight band around the head and neck are prompt indicators of tension headaches. Usually, self-diagnosable and self-treatable, these headaches mean nothing serious.

3. Food-induced Headache

Certain foods which are rich in sulfites, nitrates or monosodium glutamate induce pain in left temple of the head. These can be consumables like:

Wines
Processed luncheon meats/hot dogs
Chinese food
Spices and seasonings
Processed canned goods
Chocolates

Your body will begin to show the reactions within 30 minutes of consumption of these foods. A headache may accompany sweating, trouble breathing, and tension.

4. Cluster Headache

Severe pain in left temple of the head accompanied with a runny nose and watering eyes. Cluster headaches occur rarely, and the pain often starts on one side of the head.

A cluster headache is considered to be hereditary and gets triggered by hot weather, high altitude travel, exertion, bright lights, and smoking.

It is the worst form of pain in left temple of the head which occurs daily for several days.

5. Migraine

As per the rough stats, 15% of women and about six percent of men have experienced migraine. Migraines are headaches of varying intensity and can last for years.

Sensitivity to light and sound, nausea and vomiting are the common symptoms. Sometimes hormonal changes, sulfites (wine) or high-stress levels act as triggers for migraines.

6. Ice-Pick Headaches

Sharp and stabbing pain is the proximal symptoms of ice-pick headaches. The sensation induced is analogous to that of migraines or cluster type headaches.

Ice-Pick headaches inflict severe pain in either or both the temples or even in the eyes.

7. Temporal-Mandibular Joint Pain

The two joints that connect our jawbone to the skull are known as temporal-mandibular joint (TMJ). In case of any dis-alignment or dysfunction of this junction, the jaw can radiate pain into the temples.

8. Sinus

Inflamed cavities surrounding sinus cavity evolve pain in the left temple. Eyes, cheeks, and forehead may also get affected due to this medical condition.

9. Giant Cell Arteritis

Giant cell arteritis is a medical condition of inflammatory blood vessels, typically the arteries of the head. These headaches often come along with stiffness of neck and shoulders.

It affects either of the temple, tender skin, jaw pain and trouble chewing. Other common names for giant cell arteritis are temporal arteritis, cranial arteritis, or Horton disease.

10. Temporal arteritis

It is a situation where arteries that stem from neck’s carotid artery get inflamed. The sufferers also experience other indicators like:

Fever
Sweating
Muscle weakness and aches
Loss of appetite
Fatigue

11. Cervicogenic Headaches

A cervicogenic headache is a clear indication that something is wrong with your neck. Bad sleeping position through the night is what results into a headache in left temple of the head. One may feel tightness through one side of the head.

12. Nummular Headaches

It causes a stabbing sensation on one side of the head in two to six cm circle area. Hence also known as a coin-shaped headache.

It is a rare type of a headache and women are mostly the victims of it. It may last for prolonged periods like weeks or even months.

How to Treat Pain in Left Temple of Head?

Now, you can self-diagnose the cause of the pain in left temple of the head. You can then opt for home remedies to ease out the minor pain in left temple of the head.

Before you grab an over the counter pain killer, you should opt for one of the following measures:

Rest laterally in calm, dimly lit, silent place
An ice pack that you can use for compress over the area
Individual physical therapies as guided by physiotherapists
Warm water shower
Take a quick and short nap
Move out in open air and take a walk
Drink plenty of water
Take a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids
Apply heating pads on the left temple and neck
A simple massage with your thumb and index finger regulates the blood flow in that area which may solve the problem in just a few minutes.

One must ensure proper blood and oxygen flow to the brain, reduced stress, right posture as preventive measures to a headache.

If you are already on medication for something serious you may consider medical evaluation for worsening situations.

Accordingly, the physician will treat you with steroids, pain reliever, surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, dental splints, Botox injections, and drug therapy.

When to See a Doctor?

Apart from poor eating habits, fatigue, stress, and poor posture, pain in left temple of the head can also result as a symptom of an underlying health issue.

Once you cross the age of 50 headaches, become a subject of immediate concern. Women older than 50 years are prone to the ruptured cerebral aneurysms (blood vessels) that cause pain in left temple of the head.

If a headache reoccurs or lasts for over the regular periods or is acute, you should consider consulting a medical professional. In case of a severe headache, abruptly induced unbearable pain to seek medical help immediately.

Do not avoid consulting the doctor if you have any concerns or if you notice something that is not normal.

Pain in Left Temple of Head: 12 Causes and Natural Treatments