Differential Diagnosis for Dizzy Nausea Headache with Stressful Situation

• Single Most Likely Diagnosis
  • Anxiety or Panic Attack: This is the most likely diagnosis given the symptoms of dizziness, nausea, headache, and a stressful situation. Anxiety and panic attacks are common and can manifest with a variety of physical symptoms, including those described.
• Other Likely Diagnoses
  • Migraine: Stress can trigger migraines, which are characterized by headaches, often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and sometimes dizziness or vertigo.
  • Tension Headache: Stress is a common trigger for tension headaches, which can cause headache, nausea, and sometimes dizziness.
  • Hyperventilation Syndrome: This condition, often associated with anxiety, can lead to dizziness, nausea, and headache due to rapid breathing.
• Do Not Miss Diagnoses
  • Stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA): Although less likely, it's crucial to consider stroke or TIA, especially if the dizziness, nausea, and headache are accompanied by other neurological symptoms like weakness, numbness, or difficulty speaking.
  • Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: A severe headache (often described as "the worst headache of my life") accompanied by nausea and possibly dizziness could indicate a subarachnoid hemorrhage, which is a medical emergency.
  • Cardiac Issues (e.g., Myocardial Infarction): In some cases, cardiac problems can present with atypical symptoms, including dizziness, nausea, and headache, especially in women or diabetic patients.
• Rare Diagnoses
  • Vestibular Migraine: A condition that causes vertigo, dizziness, and headache, often triggered by stress or other factors.
  • Meniere's Disease: An inner ear disorder that can cause vertigo, dizziness, nausea, and headache, but it's less likely to be directly triggered by stressful situations.
  • Pheochromocytoma: A rare tumor of the adrenal gland that can cause episodes of headache, nausea, dizziness, and other symptoms, often triggered by stress.