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Differential Diagnosis for Heavy Head Feeling

Single Most Likely Diagnosis

  • Tension Headache: This is the most common type of headache and is often described as a feeling of pressure or heaviness around the head, usually due to muscle tension.

Other Likely Diagnoses

  • Sinusitis: Inflammation of the sinuses can cause a feeling of heaviness in the head, especially in the forehead and cheek areas, due to congestion and pressure.
  • Migraine: While migraines are typically associated with severe, throbbing pain, some individuals may experience a heavy or dull sensation in the head before or during an attack.
  • Anxiety or Stress: Psychological factors can manifest physically, including a sensation of heaviness in the head, due to increased muscle tension and stress response.
  • Dehydration: Not drinking enough water can lead to dehydration, which may cause a feeling of heaviness or pressure in the head.

Do Not Miss Diagnoses

  • Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: A life-threatening condition where there is bleeding into the space surrounding the brain, which can cause a sudden, severe headache often described as "the worst headache" of one's life. The initial presentation might be mistaken for a heavy head feeling.
  • Meningitis: Inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, which can cause severe headache, fever, and stiff neck. Early symptoms might include a feeling of heaviness in the head.
  • Temporal Arteritis: Inflammation of the blood vessels in the head, which can cause headaches, jaw pain, and vision problems. It's crucial to diagnose and treat this condition to prevent serious complications like blindness.
  • Brain Tumor: Although rare, a tumor in the brain can cause a variety of symptoms, including headaches that might feel like a heavy head, due to increased intracranial pressure.

Rare Diagnoses

  • Chiari Malformation: A condition where the brain tissue extends into the spinal canal, which can cause headaches, among other symptoms, due to the pressure on the brain and spinal cord.
  • Pseudotumor Cerebri (Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension): A condition characterized by increased pressure within the skull without any apparent cause, leading to symptoms like headache and vision changes.
  • Cervicogenic Headache: A headache that originates from the cervical spine, which can cause a feeling of heaviness or pressure in the head due to referred pain from the neck.

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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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