Worry about right-sided head pain if it is sudden and severe, or if it persists despite over-the-counter pain relief.

Red Flag Symptoms

Seek immediate medical attention for accompanying signs like vision changes (blurred or double vision), confusion, fever, stiff neck, slurred speech, weakness, numbness, rash, or personality changes. These could indicate serious issues such as temporal arteritis, occipital neuralgia, or infection.

Common Non-Emergency Causes

Right-sided pain often stems from migraines, cluster headaches, tension from stress or poor posture, or cervicogenic issues like neck strain. It may worsen with light sensitivity, movement, or lack of sleep but typically resolves with rest or OTC remedies.

When to Consult a Doctor

See a doctor if headaches are frequent, progressively worse, wake you at night, or follow head injury; early evaluation rules out rare but urgent conditions. Most cases are benign, but tracking patterns helps with management.