What causes occipital headache?

Medical Advisory BoardAll articles are reviewed for accuracy by our Medical Advisory Board
Educational purpose only • Exercise caution as content is pending human review
Article Review Status
Submitted
Under Review
Approved

Last updated: February 24, 2025 • View editorial policy

Personalize

Help us tailor your experience

Which best describes you? Your choice helps us use language that's most understandable for you.

Differential Diagnosis for Pain in the Back of the Head

Single Most Likely Diagnosis

  • Tension Headache: This is the most common type of headache and often presents with a band-like pressure or aching sensation in the back of the head and neck, typically due to muscle tension.

Other Likely Diagnoses

  • Cervicogenic Headache: Originates from the cervical spine and is often caused by poor posture, neck strain, or cervical spondylosis, leading to pain in the back and side of the head.
  • Occipital Neuralgia: Involves irritation or inflammation of the occipital nerves, causing sharp, stabbing pain in the back of the head and sometimes extending to the scalp.
  • Migraine: Although migraines often present with unilateral pain, they can sometimes cause pain in the back of the head, especially if the migraine is in its prodromal phase or if it's a basilar-type migraine.

Do Not Miss Diagnoses

  • Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: A life-threatening condition caused by bleeding into the space surrounding the brain, which can present with sudden, severe headache (often described as "the worst headache of my life") and may initially be localized to the back of the head.
  • Meningitis: Inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, which can cause severe headache, fever, and stiff neck, with the headache sometimes being more pronounced in the back of the head.
  • Cervical Artery Dissection: A tear in the wall of one of the arteries in the neck, which can lead to stroke and may initially present with pain in the back of the head or neck.

Rare Diagnoses

  • Giant Cell Arteritis: An inflammatory condition affecting the blood vessels, particularly those in the head, which can cause headaches, including pain in the back of the head, along with other symptoms like jaw claudication and visual disturbances.
  • Chiari Malformation: A structural defect in the cerebellum that controls balance, which can cause headaches, often in the back of the head, due to the pressure on the brain and spinal cord.
  • Eagle Syndrome: A condition caused by an elongated or calcified styloid process, which can irritate nearby nerves and cause sharp, stabbing pain in the back of the head and face.

Related Questions

What is the cause of mucus in the urine, also known as Pyuria (Presence of pus or mucus in the urine)?
What is the clinical significance of a patient being Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positive with a Hepatitis B virus (HBV) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) viral load of less than 10 IU/mL?
What are the causes of hematuria (blood in the urine)?
What is the treatment for hyperphosphatemia (elevated phosphate levels)?
What percentage of patients in primary care (Primary Care) have palliative care needs?
What are the sources of Klebsiella (K.) pneumoniae bacteremia?

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

Have a follow-up question?

Our Medical A.I. is used by practicing medical doctors at top research institutions around the world. Ask any follow up question and get world-class guideline-backed answers instantly.

Ask Question