Differential Diagnosis for Pain in the Right Area of the Head
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Tension headache: This is the most common type of headache and is often described as a feeling of muscle tension or a band-like sensation around the head. The pain is typically bilateral but can be unilateral, and it's likely given the description of the pain feeling like muscle.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Migraine: Although migraines are often associated with severe, unilateral pain, some individuals may experience milder symptoms that could be mistaken for muscle pain. Migraines can also be accompanied by sensitivity to light and sound.
- Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder: Pain from TMJ disorders can radiate to the temples and feel like muscle tension, making it a plausible diagnosis for pain in the right area of the head.
- Occipital neuralgia: This condition involves inflammation of the occipital nerves and can cause sharp, stabbing pain or aching in the back and top of the head, which might be perceived as muscle pain.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Subarachnoid hemorrhage: Although rare, a subarachnoid hemorrhage is a medical emergency that can present with sudden, severe headache. It's crucial to consider this diagnosis, even if the pain feels like muscle tension, due to its potentially fatal outcome.
- Temporal arteritis: This condition, also known as giant cell arteritis, can cause severe headaches, often unilateral, and is associated with other symptoms like jaw claudication and visual disturbances. Missing this diagnosis can lead to serious complications, including blindness.
- Stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA): While less common, stroke or TIA can present with headache, among other neurological symptoms. It's essential to rule out these conditions due to their severe consequences.
Rare Diagnoses
- Trigeminal neuralgia: This condition causes sudden, severe, shock-like pain around the eyes, lips, or nose, mainly due to abnormal blood vessels pressing on the trigeminal nerve. It's less likely but should be considered if other diagnoses are ruled out.
- Idiopathic stabbing headache: Characterized by brief, sharp pains, this condition can occur in any part of the head and might be perceived as muscle pain due to its fleeting nature.
- Cervicogenic headache: Originating from the cervical spine, these headaches can refer pain to the head, feeling like muscle tension, but are less common and typically associated with neck movements or trauma.