Differential Diagnosis for Trapezius Muscle Pain and Swollen Tongue Feeling
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Anxiety or Stress Reaction: This is often associated with muscle tension, including the trapezius, and can cause a sensation of a swollen tongue due to increased awareness of bodily sensations or hyperventilation leading to oral and throat discomfort.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorder: Pain from the TMJ can radiate to the trapezius muscle, and TMJ issues can also cause sensations of oral discomfort, including a feeling of tongue swelling.
- Allergic Reaction: An allergic reaction could cause swelling in the mouth and throat, leading to a sensation of a swollen tongue, and might also lead to muscle tension, including in the trapezius, due to discomfort or anxiety.
- Dental Issues: Problems such as abscesses, impacted teeth, or gum disease can cause referred pain to the trapezius muscle and local discomfort that might feel like a swollen tongue.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Angioedema: A potentially life-threatening condition that can cause rapid swelling of the tongue, lips, and face, which could lead to airway obstruction. It's crucial to identify and treat promptly.
- Myocardial Infarction (Heart Attack): Though less common, pain from a heart attack can sometimes be referred to the trapezius muscle, and anxiety or stress associated with a heart attack could exacerbate a feeling of a swollen tongue.
- Stroke: In rare cases, stroke can present with unusual symptoms, including pain or unusual sensations in the face or mouth, though this would typically be accompanied by other neurological deficits.
Rare Diagnoses
- Multiple Sclerosis: This condition can cause a wide range of neurological symptoms, including pain and unusual sensations, but it would be an uncommon cause for this specific combination of symptoms.
- Hypothyroidism: Can cause muscle pain and swelling, but the specific combination of trapezius pain and a feeling of a swollen tongue would be unusual.
- Sjögren's Syndrome: An autoimmune disorder that can cause dry mouth and other oral symptoms, potentially leading to a sensation of tongue swelling, but it's less likely to cause significant trapezius muscle pain directly.