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Differential Diagnosis for Headache and Fatigue

Single Most Likely Diagnosis

  • Tension Headache: This is the most common type of headache and is often associated with fatigue, stress, and muscle tension. The duration of 5 days is consistent with a prolonged tension headache.

Other Likely Diagnoses

  • Migraine: Although typically more severe and often accompanied by other symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound, migraines can present with fatigue and may last for several days.
  • Viral Infection: Such as a common cold or flu, which can cause headache and fatigue due to the body's immune response.
  • Dehydration: Inadequate fluid intake can lead to headaches and fatigue, and this condition is relatively common and easily treatable.
  • Sleep Disorder: Issues like insomnia or sleep apnea can cause both headache and fatigue due to poor sleep quality.

Do Not Miss Diagnoses

  • Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: Although less likely, this condition is life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. It typically presents with a sudden, severe headache but can have a more gradual onset in some cases.
  • Meningitis: Infection of the meninges can cause headache, fatigue, fever, and stiff neck. It's crucial to identify and treat promptly to prevent serious complications.
  • Temporal Arteritis: This condition, more common in older adults, involves inflammation of the blood vessels and can cause headache, fatigue, and visual disturbances. If untreated, it can lead to blindness.
  • Brain Tumor: Although rare, a brain tumor can cause headache and fatigue among other symptoms, and early detection is critical for treatment.

Rare Diagnoses

  • Chronic Daily Headache: A condition characterized by headaches that occur 15 days or more per month, which could be a consideration if the headache persists beyond the initial 5 days.
  • Hypothyroidism: Fatigue and headache can be symptoms of an underactive thyroid gland, though this would typically be accompanied by other signs such as weight gain and cold intolerance.
  • Anemia: Low red blood cell count or hemoglobin can cause fatigue and sometimes headache, usually accompanied by other symptoms like pale skin and shortness of breath.
  • Lupus: Systemic lupus erythematosus is an autoimmune disease that can cause a wide range of symptoms, including headache and fatigue, but is relatively rare and typically involves other systemic symptoms.

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.

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