Right Side of Head Pain

Just yesterday randomly, the right side of my head above the ear began to ache. It might have swelled, I'm not entirely sure if that part was imaginary. After awhile, the pain dissolved, but returned during my sleep, and compelled me to stay awake. If I lay on either side of my head, it becomes hurt. It is almost like a headache forming on the right side of my head and only there. What could this be?

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi!
The area over and behind the ear or the temple can be painful due to several reasons. Since the area is painful to touch, it is unlikely to be due to blood pressure, loud sounds, migraine and simple headache. Tension headache is a possibility but again less likely. Temporal arteritis, internal ear infection, TMJ and tooth decay can all be the cause of pain. In temporal arteritis there is inflammation of the blood vessel at the temple. Internal ear infection, fluid in ear (went in during swimming or during a shower bath or due to infection), or impacted wax can be a problem. TMJ and infection of tooth, exposed nerve endings of tooth can be a problem. Infection in the eye, glaucoma, near and far sightedness and sinusitis are the other causes. It is difficult to diagnose the cause without examination. You will have to consult your PCP and maybe need a referral to an ENT, eye specialist and a dentist. Take care!