Differential Diagnosis for Headache since 5 days

Single most likely diagnosis

• Tension headache: This is the most common type of headache and is often described as a band or a squeezing sensation around the forehead, usually accompanied by muscle tension in the neck and scalp. The duration of 5 days could be consistent with a prolonged tension headache.

Other Likely diagnoses

• Migraine: Although migraines are typically episodic, some individuals may experience prolonged or frequent episodes that could last for several days. The headache is usually unilateral, throbbing, and accompanied by other symptoms like photophobia, phonophobia, or nausea.
• Sinusitis: Inflammation of the sinuses can cause headache, typically felt in the facial area, and is often accompanied by other symptoms such as nasal congestion, fever, and facial pressure.
• Cluster headache: These are extremely painful headaches that occur in cycles or clusters, often waking the patient from sleep. They are usually unilateral and centered around one eye, with associated autonomic symptoms like lacrimation or nasal congestion.

Do Not Miss (ddxs that may not be likely, but would be deadly if missed)

• Subarachnoid hemorrhage: A sudden, severe headache (often described as "the worst headache of my life") could indicate bleeding into the space surrounding the brain, which is a medical emergency.
• Meningitis: Inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord can cause headache, fever, stiff neck, and confusion. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial.
• Temporal arteritis: This condition involves inflammation of the blood vessels in the head and can cause headache, visual disturbances, and jaw claudication. If not treated promptly, it can lead to blindness.
• Brain tumor: Although rare, a new or worsening headache could be a symptom of a brain tumor, especially if accompanied by other neurological symptoms like seizures, confusion, or focal deficits.

Rare diagnoses

• Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH): Characterized by increased pressure within the skull without an apparent cause, leading to headache, vision changes, and sometimes papilledema.
• Hypnic headache: A rare type of headache that occurs only during sleep and wakes the patient, typically in older adults.
• Thunderclap headache: An extremely severe headache that reaches its maximum intensity within a minute, often indicative of a subarachnoid hemorrhage but can have other causes as well.
• Cervicogenic headache: Originates from the cervical spine and is typically unilateral, related to neck movements or pressure on specific cervical areas.