Differential Diagnosis for Body Temperature Irregulation and Headaches

• Single Most Likely Diagnosis
  • Migraines: Often accompanied by sensitivity to temperature, leading to body temperature irregulation, and are a common cause of headaches.
• Other Likely Diagnoses
  • Tension Headaches: Can be triggered by stress, leading to body temperature fluctuations, and are a common type of headache.
  • Sinusitis: Inflammation of the sinuses can cause headaches and fever, leading to body temperature irregulation.
  • Menstrual Migraines: Hormonal changes during menstruation can lead to migraines, body temperature changes, and headaches in some women.
• Do Not Miss Diagnoses
  • Meningitis: A potentially life-threatening infection that causes inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord, leading to severe headaches and fever.
  • Encephalitis: Inflammation of the brain, usually caused by viral infections, which can cause severe headaches, fever, and body temperature irregulation.
  • Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: Bleeding into the space between the brain and the tissue that covers it, which can cause sudden, severe headaches and may lead to body temperature changes.
• Rare Diagnoses
  • Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS): A rare but life-threatening side effect of certain medications, characterized by fever, muscle stiffness, and changes in mental status, which can include headaches.
  • Status Migrainosus: A rare and severe form of migraine that can last for more than 72 hours, potentially leading to body temperature irregulation and severe headaches.
  • Hypothalamic Dysfunction: Rare disorders affecting the hypothalamus, the part of the brain that regulates body temperature, among other functions, which can lead to temperature irregulation and headaches.