Top right headache

Pain at the top right can be felt when muscles in the scalp, jaw, neck or shoulders tighten. Migraine may produce one-sided throbbing with nausea or sensitivity to light and sound. Nasal blockage, facial pressure or discharge can accompany allergic rhinitis, a common cold or chronic sinusitis. Heat, sweating and inadequate fluid intake can contribute to dehydration or heat exhaustion. Fever, cough, sore throat, body aches or a recent exposure may point toward an infection, but a headache symptom by itself does not establish a diagnosis.

Rest away from bright light and loud noise, drink fluids, eat if you have missed a meal and loosen tight neck or shoulder muscles. Keep a record of onset, duration, triggers, sleep, food, hydration, associated symptoms and medicines. Take only a suitable pain reliever according to its instructions; repeated use can make headaches recur. Seek a clinical review if this is a new pattern, keeps returning or disrupts work, sleep or daily activities.

Call emergency services for a sudden severe headache, new weakness or numbness, facial drooping, difficulty speaking, seizure, fainting, confusion, new vision loss or a headache after head injury. Urgent assessment is also needed for a stiff neck with fever, persistent vomiting, severe dehydration or a rapidly worsening headache. If you feel faint or have neurological symptoms, do not drive yourself.

Describe whether the pain pulses or presses, how quickly it began, and whether light, movement, congestion, fever, nausea or neck position changes it. Ask whether your sleep, hydration, stress, medicines or blood pressure need review and what specific warning signs should prompt emergency care.