Overview of Temple Headache
Pain in the temples and the side of your head are common locations for many different types of headaches. It is not specific or unique to any one type or cause of headache. The most likely cause of temple headache is determined by your doctor discussing your medical history, performing an examination, and discussing the headache pattern, character, location, and associated features. Temple headaches can be caused by various factors, from stress and lifestyle choices to primary headache disorders such as migraine, tension type headache, or cluster headache, or from other underlying medical conditions. While temple headaches are usually not life-threatening, they can cause significant discomfort and interfere with daily activities, depending on the headache type.
Most Common Causes Of Temple Headaches
Headache in temples is one of the most common locations of pain for many types of headaches. It is not unique to any specific type of headache. The determination of the most likely temple headache causes is made from assessing a combination of pattern, location, pain character, associated headache symptoms, examination, age, and other medical history. This free headache symptom checker tool can give you a list of possible headache types to discuss with your doctor.
This blog will not discuss every possible type of temple headaches, but rather the top most common types, as well as a few that warrant an urgent evaluation and discussion with your doctor. One good way to differentiate types of temple headaches is by dividing them into only one sided temple pain, or both sides simultaneously (double-sided).
One-Sided Temple Headaches
Migraines
Migraine headaches are very common, affecting 1 in 5 women (20%) and 1 in 16 men. They are classically a one sided headache, often affecting the temple region. However, they can also occur on both sides of the head and don’t necessarily have to be only one-sided. The pain is typically a throbbing, pulsating or pounding type of pain. There may be associated nausea or sensitivity to bright lights (photophobia) or sound (phonophobia), and worsened with physical activity. Patients often prefer a dark room for relief. There are many triggers for migraine.
Cluster Headaches
Cluster headaches occur strictly only on one side of the head, often involving the temple. Considered the most severe headache, and sometimes called “suicide headaches” because they are so brutal. They are 1 of 4 types of trigeminal autonomic cephalalgia (TAC) syndromes. The pain is severe, like an ice-pick stabbing intense pain. They occur in clusters of time where they may happen multiple times a day, often around the same time, such as overnight. These cycles may last a few weeks to a few months or longer. They tend to occur characteristically during season changes (Fall, Spring), but can occur anytime. The headache attacks last between 15 minutes up to 3 hours at max. They are associated with autonomic features which may include a droopy, puffy, red, tearing eye on one side or congested or runny nose on one side.
The 3 other more rare types of TAC syndromes affecting only one side in the temple area include hemicrania continua, paroxysmal hemicrania, and SUNCT/SUNA.
Double-Sided Temple Headaches
Tension-Type Headaches
Tension-type headaches are by far the most common cause of temple headaches affecting both sides of the head. In fact, tension headaches are the most common type of headache in the world. They most commonly affect the temples and forehead areas symmetrically, many times described as a dull aching pressure or tight band around the head which may also wrap around the back of the head. There is often muscle tension and aching in the neck. Lack of sleep, sleep apnea, and stress are common triggers.
Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Dysfunction
Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Dysfunction is a problem in your jaw joint resulting in jaw pain. It can cause you to have headaches that may occur in front of and around your ears, and many times can extend into your temples too. This often occurs on both sides, but it can also occur on just one side. Teeth grinding (also called bruxism) is often associated with TMJ disorders as well.
Hypertension
Hypertension is the medical term for high blood pressure, and is a very common medical condition. Technically, hypertension is blood pressure 140/90 or higher. Hypertension can commonly cause headaches in the temple areas, usually occurring on both sides.. The pain might feel like a pulsating (although migraine also causes this type of pain), pressure, ache or dull discomfort. Other symptoms of hypertension include fatigue, dizziness, and shortness of breath. If you have hypertension, you must talk to your healthcare provider about ways to lower your blood pressure to avoid the long term chronic diseases associated with living with high blood pressure (besides just headache).
Less Common but Emergent Types of Temple Headaches
These are headaches which can occur anywhere in the head, but the temples are often involved. They can occur on one or both sides of the head. These are considered “red flag” headaches and require emergency care. These are not the only urgent or emergent forms of headaches, but these are the ones that most people worry about and should be a priority to test and treat for if suspected. Each of these is considered a secondary headache, since the head pain is caused by something else.
Giant Cell Arteritis (Temporal Arteritis)
This is a much less common type of temple headache, but worth knowing about. It more often occurs on both sides of the head, but can also occur on just one side. Temporal arteritis is an inflammatory condition involving the temporal artery blood vessels traveling through the temple regions. Associated symptoms may include jaw cramping and blurry vision. The scalp is often very sensitive and sore. The arteries in the temples and sides of the head may be found to feel hard and very tender when touched. It most often occurs in patients older than 50. It is important to diagnose it because if untreated, it can lead to vision problems and even blindness if steroids are not started quick enough. Patients with temple pain who are older than 50 should be screened with an ESR and CRP blood tests to screen for this.
Aneurysm
An aneurysm is a weakened and bulging area in the wall of an artery. Aneurysms in the brain typically don’t cause headache or pain unless they rupture (tear open). Aneurysms vary in size, shape, and location. They are more common among older adults and those with underlying medical conditions which weaken the blood vessel wall such as high blood pressure, diabetes, genetic predisposition (such as connective tissue diseases), smoking or atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). Symptoms include sudden and intense thunderclap headache (“worst headache of your life”), nausea and vomiting, stiff neck, confusion, loss of consciousness, vision problems, or other neurological symptoms. This is a medical emergency. It is imperative to call 911 and get to the emergency department immediately because many patients may not make it there alive. So time is of the essence for treatment.
Brain Tumor
Brain tumors are caused when a group of cells grow abnormally inside the brain. Headaches are often gradual in worsening over time. They are often associated with persistent neurological symptoms such as vision changes, double vision, numbness or tingling, weakness, imbalance, cognitive changes. Luckily, this is a generally a rare cause of headaches. However, any new or change in headache warrants a discussion with your doctor because you don’t want to catch this type once it’s too late and has progressed too far.
Meningitis
Meningitis is an infection in the spinal fluid which affects the thick layer around the brain (meninges) and can affect the brain itself. It is generally a symmetric headache on both sides which may affect the temples, but can affect the whole head. It is usually associated with bad neck pain and stiffness as well as fevers and chills. Confusion, disorientation, drowsiness, or other neurological symptoms may also occur.
Conclusion
There are many different types of headaches and medical conditions that can cause temple pain. Temple headache meaning is not always bad. In fact, most are benign headaches such as tension type headache or migraine. However, some can be life threatening. Therefore, any type of headache, regardless of location and type, should be discussed with your doctor for medical advice.
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