Sakit Kepala Sebelah Kiri & Kanan: Punca & Cara Legakan

Sakit kepala (headache) is very common, and most headaches go away on their own and are not a sign of anything serious. The most common type is a tension-type headache, which feels like pressure or a tight band on both sides of the head. A throbbing headache on one side, with feeling sick and sensitivity to light, may be a migraine, and a sharp pain around one eye may be a cluster headache. Rest, water, regular meals and paracetamol or ibuprofen help most headaches, but taking painkillers too often can cause more headaches. Call 999 for a sudden, extremely painful headache or one with weakness, confusion, vision loss or a stiff neck with fever. This guide explains what the location of your headache may mean, the main types and causes, how to ease it and when to get help.

Apa itu sakit kepala?

Headache disorders are among the most common conditions of the nervous system (World Health Organization). The WHO says they affect about 40% of people worldwide and are more common in women than in men. A Global Burden of Disease study estimated that 2.9 billion people had a headache disorder in 2023.

The NHS says most headaches go away on their own and are not a sign of something more serious. A headache can last 30 minutes, several hours, or sometimes several days.

Doctors divide headaches into 2 groups (WHO):

• primary headaches, where the headache itself is the problem, such as tension-type headache, migraine and cluster headache;
• secondary headaches, caused by another condition; the most common is medication-overuse headache, caused by taking painkillers too often.

Sakit kepala ikut lokasi: kiri, kanan, depan dan belakang

Many people search for the meaning of a headache on the left side (sakit kepala sebelah kiri), the right side (sebelah kanan), the front (bahagian depan) or the back (bahagian belakang). Where the pain is can give clues, but it is only one part of the picture. The sources we used do not link the left or right side to different causes; the type of pain, how long it lasts and other symptoms matter more.

For neck and shoulder pain that comes with headaches, see our guide to sakit bahu dan leher. A spinning feeling is different from a headache; see our guide to vertigo dan pening kepala.

Jenis sakit kepala

Tension-type headache. This is the most common type. The NHS describes pain on both sides of the head, face or neck, a feeling that something is pressing on or tightening around the head, and tenderness when touched. It lasts at least 30 minutes and sometimes several days. The WHO says it often begins in the teenage years and affects more women than men.

Migraine. The NHS says a migraine attack usually lasts 4 hours to 3 days and causes a throbbing headache, often on one side, with feeling or being sick and sensitivity to light and sound. Some people get warning signs (aura) first, such as zigzag lines, flashing lights or tingling. The WHO says migraine is more common in women. See our full guide to migrain.

Cluster headache. Cluster headaches are severe attacks of pain, usually on one side around the eye, that can happen several times a day for weeks or months (NHS). The WHO says they affect fewer than 1 in 1,000 adults and are more common in men. The NHS says ordinary painkillers such as paracetamol and ibuprofen do not work for them, so see a doctor.

Medication-overuse headache. Taking painkillers for headaches too often or for a long time can itself cause headaches, sometimes called rebound headaches (NHS). The WHO says this is the most common secondary headache and is often at its worst on waking.

Headaches with other illnesses. A headache is common with a cold, flu or sinusitis (NHS).

Punca sakit kepala

The NHS lists these common causes of headaches:

• having a cold or flu;
• stress;
• drinking too much alcohol;
• bad posture;
• eyesight problems;
• not eating regular meals;
• not drinking enough fluids (dehydration);
• taking too many painkillers;
• having your period or going through menopause (hormone headache).

For tension headaches, the NHS adds sleep problems and caffeine. MedlinePlus says holding the head in one position for a long time, such as during computer work, and eye strain, jaw clenching or teeth grinding can also trigger them. If you sleep badly, see our guide to susah tidur.

Sakit kepala pada wanita: haid, mengandung dan menopaus

• Period. The NHS lists periods among common headache causes. Migraine attacks just before or during a period (menstrual migraine) are often longer and more severe than other attacks (NHS). See our guide to PMS.
• Pregnancy. Headaches can be common in early pregnancy and usually improve (NHS). Paracetamol is the first choice of painkiller, taken for the shortest possible time, and painkillers containing codeine or ibuprofen should be avoided unless prescribed. After 20 weeks, a severe headache with vision problems, pain below the ribs, vomiting or sudden swelling of the face, hands or feet may be a sign of pre-eclampsia: call your maternity unit or doctor straight away (NHS).
• Menopause. The NHS lists menopause among the causes of hormone headaches. In women, migraine often gets better after menopause (NHS). See our guide to menopaus.

Sakit kepala di Malaysia

A study at University Malaya Medical Centre looked at 165 adults who came to its neurology and primary care clinics with headaches in 2010. Among patients younger than 55, migraine without aura was the most common type (54.7%); among those aged 55 and over, tension-type headache was the most common (45.7%). Older patients were also more likely to have chronic daily headache. These are patients who sought care, not the whole population, but it shows that migraine was the most common headache type among the younger adults seen at these clinics.

Cara hilangkan sakit kepala

The NHS suggests these steps for most headaches:

For tension headaches, the NHS also suggests relaxing activities such as exercise, yoga and massage, improving sleep habits, cutting down on drinks with caffeine such as tea, coffee or cola, and using a low, firm pillow and heat or cold packs if you have neck pain.

A headache diary can help you find your triggers. The NHS suggests recording how often your headaches happen, how long they last, how bad they are, other symptoms, possible causes and any medicines you take.

Ubat sakit kepala: guna dengan betul

• Paracetamol or ibuprofen help most headaches (NHS). Aspirin is another option for adults, but children under 16 should not take it (NHS). A pharmacist can help you choose.
• If you are pregnant, paracetamol is the first choice, and ibuprofen is not recommended (NHS).
• Do not take painkillers too often. The NHS advises not taking painkillers for more than 2 days a week for migraine, and MedlinePlus says taking them more than 3 days a week may lead to rebound headaches. MedlinePlus also warns that too much paracetamol (acetaminophen) can damage the liver, and too much ibuprofen, naproxen or aspirin can irritate the stomach or damage the kidneys.
• For migraine, the NHS says to take painkillers as soon as the headache starts. Doctors can also prescribe other medicines to treat or prevent migraine.

Bila perlu jumpa doktor atau ke kecemasan

See a doctor (NHS) if:

• you have tried treating a headache yourself and it is not getting better or is getting worse;
• you get headaches regularly or several times a week, or they are severe;
• painkillers and relaxing activities do not help.

Get an urgent appointment (NHS) if you have a headache and:

• vision or eye problems;
• it is triggered or made worse by coughing, sneezing, bending down or exercise;
• you are being sick (vomiting);
• jaw pain when eating, or a sore or tender scalp.

Call 999 or go to the emergency department (NHS) if you have a headache and:

• it started suddenly and is extremely painful;
• you have had a seizure (fit);
• you have numbness or weakness in the body or face, or find it difficult to speak, balance, walk or remember things; see also our guide to angin ahmar for the signs of a stroke;
• you are drowsy or confused, or have lost your vision;
• you have a rash that does not fade when a glass is rolled over it, or a very high temperature, a stiff neck or bright lights bother you;
• you have had a head injury in the last 3 months.

For a fever with a headache in children, see our guide to demam.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Apa maksud sakit kepala sebelah kiri atau kanan (what does a headache on the left or right side mean)?

A headache on one side is common and is usually not serious. The NHS says migraine is often felt on one side of the head, and cluster headache causes a sharp, burning pain on one side, usually around the eye. The sources we used do not link the left or right side to a different cause, so what matters more is the type of pain and other symptoms. Get emergency help if a one-sided headache comes with weakness or numbness, problems speaking or seeing, or a drooping eyelid.

Apa jenis sakit kepala (what are the types of headache)?

The World Health Organization lists the main types as tension-type headache (a pressing or tight band around the head), migraine (a throbbing headache, often on one side, with feeling sick and sensitivity to light), cluster headache (short, severe attacks around one eye) and medication-overuse headache, caused by taking painkillers too often. Headaches can also come with a cold, flu or sinusitis, or be a sign of another condition.

Kenapa sakit kepala bahagian belakang (why does the back of my head hurt)?

Pain at the back of the head and neck is often a tension-type headache. MedlinePlus says tension headaches can feel worse in the scalp, temples or back of the neck, and can be triggered by stress, eye strain or holding your head in one position for a long time, such as at a computer. See a doctor if the pain is severe, keeps coming back or comes with other symptoms such as fever, a stiff neck or weakness.

Bagaimana cara hilangkan sakit kepala (how can I get rid of a headache)?

For most headaches, the NHS suggests drinking plenty of water, resting, trying to relax and taking paracetamol or ibuprofen. Do not skip meals, avoid sleeping much more than usual, take breaks from screens and avoid alcohol. For tension headaches, relaxation, exercise, massage and heat or cold packs on the neck may help. See a doctor if the headache does not get better or keeps coming back.

Ubat apa untuk sakit kepala (what medicine helps a headache)?

The NHS suggests paracetamol or ibuprofen for most headaches, and paracetamol is the first choice if you are pregnant. Ask a pharmacist which painkiller suits you. Do not take painkillers too often: the NHS advises not taking them for more than 2 days a week for migraine, and MedlinePlus says taking them more than 3 days a week may cause rebound headaches.

Bila sakit kepala perlu ke kecemasan (when is a headache an emergency)?

Call 999 or go to the emergency department if a headache starts suddenly and is extremely painful, or comes with a seizure, numbness or weakness, difficulty speaking, balancing or remembering, drowsiness or confusion, loss of vision, a rash that does not fade when a glass is pressed on it, a very high temperature with a stiff neck, or after a head injury in the last 3 months. These signs come from the NHS.

Kenapa saya selalu sakit kepala (why do I get headaches often)?

Common triggers listed by the NHS include stress, poor posture, eyesight problems, skipping meals, not drinking enough fluids, too much alcohol or caffeine, sleep problems, your period or menopause, and taking painkillers too often. Keeping a headache diary can help you find your triggers. See a doctor if you get headaches regularly or several times a week.

Disclaimer

This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for advice, diagnosis or treatment from a doctor. Health supplements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

References

• Headaches — NHS
• Tension headaches — NHS
• Migraine — NHS
• Cluster headaches — NHS
• Sinusitis (sinus infection) — NHS
• Headaches in pregnancy — NHS
• Tension headache — MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, US National Library of Medicine
• Headache disorders fact sheet — World Health Organization
• GBD 2023 Headache Collaborators. Global, regional, and national burden of headache disorders, 1990-2023. Lancet Neurol. 2025;24(12):1005-1015
• Tai ML, et al. Primary headache in the elderly in South-East Asia. J Headache Pain. 2012;13(4):291-7