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What Causes Weird Sensation On Right Side Of Head?

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Posted on Fri, 1 Jul 2016
Question: Hi Doc. Have a periodic "discomfort" type of sensation right side of head. Feels like it is under the scalp.
Comes and goes. can be some what uncomfortable. Doesn't stop mr from sleeping thru the night. At times
that area can almost feel some what numb. What gives. XXXXXXX at YYYY@YYYY . Thanks
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dariush Saghafi (7 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Periodic discomfort should be examined

Detailed Answer:
Good morning. Many thanks for your question regarding the discomfort under the right scalp area that comes and goes. You say that sleep is not interfered with and your description is that of a numb like sensation but I don't detect that this is a "headache" in the classic sense of the term.

You may have an irritated nerve twig that is reacting either due to direct compression or from some type of chemical imbalance that can lead to numbness of body parts. You've not said whether or not you've had any type of recent examination or blood work done but if you were my patient here in XXXXXXX OH I would directly examine the area in question to be sure that you didn't have some type of rash or other deformity that could bring on the numbness either by pressure or other form of stimulation. I would do a careful cranial nerve examination to clearly outline the area being affected (you say right side....but that's a big area to deal with...I'd like to narrow done exactly where the problem spot exists).

I would also do an ocular examination to be complete about things and get your visual acuity in both eyes as well as intraocular pressures and do a good funduscopic check of the optic nerves and disks.

Next step would be some labwork using blood looking at the following things:

1. Vitamin B12
2. Folate
3. Thyroid hormones (TSH, FREE T4)
4. Vitamin D, D2, D3
5. Sedimentation Rate (looking for inflammation in the body).


I don't think that I would necessarily want to expose you to any type of X-ray, CT, or MRI of the head until I had a better understanding of what was going on from an examination followed by the above labwork.

Then, we'd have better information upon which to make a diagnose the actual problem. As it stands I think the best anybody can say is that you are describing a condition of right sided sensory neuropathy involving EITHER the ophthalmic branch of the trigeminal nerve or if the numb area is BEHIND the ear then, it may be involving one of the cervical nerves (likely C2) although this seems unlikely since this territory is more in the rear portion of the head and not involving much in front of the ear, side of the head, or forehead which I'm assuming you're including.

Again, CAUSE of the neuropathy would be investigated by way of what I told you up top with labwork and physical examination of the area.

If I've satisfactorily addressed your questions could you do me the kindest of favors by CLOSING THIS QUERY and be sure to include some fine words of feedback on your opinion as to our transaction?

Many thanks for posing your question to our attention on this network and do not forget to recontact me in the future at: www.bit.ly/drdariushsaghafi for additional questions, comments, or concerns having to do with this topic or others.

This query has utilized a total of 30 minutes of professional time in research, review, and synthesis for the purpose of formulating a return statement.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Dariush Saghafi

Neurologist

Practicing since :1988

Answered : 2473 Questions

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What Causes Weird Sensation On Right Side Of Head?

Brief Answer: Periodic discomfort should be examined Detailed Answer: Good morning. Many thanks for your question regarding the discomfort under the right scalp area that comes and goes. You say that sleep is not interfered with and your description is that of a numb like sensation but I don't detect that this is a "headache" in the classic sense of the term. You may have an irritated nerve twig that is reacting either due to direct compression or from some type of chemical imbalance that can lead to numbness of body parts. You've not said whether or not you've had any type of recent examination or blood work done but if you were my patient here in XXXXXXX OH I would directly examine the area in question to be sure that you didn't have some type of rash or other deformity that could bring on the numbness either by pressure or other form of stimulation. I would do a careful cranial nerve examination to clearly outline the area being affected (you say right side....but that's a big area to deal with...I'd like to narrow done exactly where the problem spot exists). I would also do an ocular examination to be complete about things and get your visual acuity in both eyes as well as intraocular pressures and do a good funduscopic check of the optic nerves and disks. Next step would be some labwork using blood looking at the following things: 1. Vitamin B12 2. Folate 3. Thyroid hormones (TSH, FREE T4) 4. Vitamin D, D2, D3 5. Sedimentation Rate (looking for inflammation in the body). I don't think that I would necessarily want to expose you to any type of X-ray, CT, or MRI of the head until I had a better understanding of what was going on from an examination followed by the above labwork. Then, we'd have better information upon which to make a diagnose the actual problem. As it stands I think the best anybody can say is that you are describing a condition of right sided sensory neuropathy involving EITHER the ophthalmic branch of the trigeminal nerve or if the numb area is BEHIND the ear then, it may be involving one of the cervical nerves (likely C2) although this seems unlikely since this territory is more in the rear portion of the head and not involving much in front of the ear, side of the head, or forehead which I'm assuming you're including. Again, CAUSE of the neuropathy would be investigated by way of what I told you up top with labwork and physical examination of the area. If I've satisfactorily addressed your questions could you do me the kindest of favors by CLOSING THIS QUERY and be sure to include some fine words of feedback on your opinion as to our transaction? Many thanks for posing your question to our attention on this network and do not forget to recontact me in the future at: www.bit.ly/drdariushsaghafi for additional questions, comments, or concerns having to do with this topic or others. This query has utilized a total of 30 minutes of professional time in research, review, and synthesis for the purpose of formulating a return statement.