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What Causes Constant Pain In The Left Temple Region?
Question: Iv'e had constant pain in my left temple for the past 2 weeks, nothing I take helps.
Brief Answer:
Temporal arteritis must be excluded.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
While often headache may be related to benign conditions, a headache which is persistent for such a long period, localized and in an elderly person calls for attention as it's out of the criteria for primary (without an identifiable cause) headaches such as migraine or tension type headache.
A recent onset pain localized in the temple are in a person over 60 requires consideration of a condition called temporal arteritis (or giant cell arteritis). It is a dangerous condition because if left untreated can damage your vision. Diagnosis is made through palpitation of the area and a blood test called ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate) which is markedly elevated. If in doubt a biopsy of the artery may be needed.
Other possible causes might be a dental issue such as dysfunction of the temporo-mandibular joint or a tooth infection.
If such local causes are excluded stroke must also be considered throughneurological exam and brain imaging. Usually has other symptoms but there may be subtle signs you have missed and anyway persistent headache for two weeks in someone without a prior chronic headache issue warrants brain imaging.
I remain at your disposal for further questions.
Temporal arteritis must be excluded.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
While often headache may be related to benign conditions, a headache which is persistent for such a long period, localized and in an elderly person calls for attention as it's out of the criteria for primary (without an identifiable cause) headaches such as migraine or tension type headache.
A recent onset pain localized in the temple are in a person over 60 requires consideration of a condition called temporal arteritis (or giant cell arteritis). It is a dangerous condition because if left untreated can damage your vision. Diagnosis is made through palpitation of the area and a blood test called ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate) which is markedly elevated. If in doubt a biopsy of the artery may be needed.
Other possible causes might be a dental issue such as dysfunction of the temporo-mandibular joint or a tooth infection.
If such local causes are excluded stroke must also be considered throughneurological exam and brain imaging. Usually has other symptoms but there may be subtle signs you have missed and anyway persistent headache for two weeks in someone without a prior chronic headache issue warrants brain imaging.
I remain at your disposal for further questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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