Differential Diagnosis for Left Sided HA in a 97 y/o
- Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Migraine: Although less common in the elderly, migraines can occur at any age and may present with unilateral headache. However, given the age, other diagnoses are more probable.
- Other Likely Diagnoses
- Tension Headache: Very common and can occur at any age, including the elderly. Stress, poor posture, or other factors could contribute.
- Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorder: Can cause unilateral headache and is common in older adults due to dental issues or jaw alignment problems.
- Sinusitis: Infections or inflammation of the sinuses can cause headache, often unilateral, and are more common in older adults due to decreased immune function.
- Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA): Although less likely due to the absence of other symptoms like jaw claudication or visual disturbances, GCA is a medical emergency that can lead to blindness if not promptly treated.
- Stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA): Headache can be a presenting symptom of stroke or TIA, especially if accompanied by other neurological deficits.
- Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: A severe headache could indicate bleeding in the brain, which is a medical emergency.
- Temporal Arteritis: Similar to GCA, this condition can cause severe headache and requires immediate attention to prevent complications.
- Rare Diagnoses
- Cluster Headache: These are extremely painful, occur in clusters or cycles, and are rare. They are more common in younger men but can occur in older adults.
- Trigeminal Neuralgia: A chronic pain condition that affects the trigeminal nerve, causing intense shock-like or stabbing pain in parts of the face.
- Occipital Neuralgia: Involves the occipital nerves and can cause severe headache, often unilateral, though it's less common in the elderly population.
Each diagnosis is considered based on the presentation of unilateral headache in an elderly patient, with an emphasis on not missing potentially life-threatening conditions. The likelihood of each diagnosis can vary based on additional symptoms and the patient's medical history.