Differential Diagnosis for Headache, Eye Sensitivity, and Voice Change
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Sinusitis: This condition often presents with headache, particularly in the facial area, eye sensitivity due to sinus pressure, and voice change due to postnasal drip or nasal congestion affecting the vocal cords.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Tension Headache: Can cause sensitivity around the eyes and potentially affect the voice if the headache is severe enough to cause strain on the throat or vocal cords.
- Allergies: Seasonal or environmental allergies can lead to sinus pressure, headache, eye sensitivity, and voice changes due to postnasal drip.
- Laryngitis: Inflammation of the larynx can cause voice changes and, if severe, might lead to headaches due to strain or referred pain, and eye sensitivity due to overall discomfort.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Meningitis: Although less common, meningitis is a critical diagnosis that must not be missed. It can present with severe headache, sensitivity to light (which might be perceived as eye sensitivity), and potentially voice changes if the inflammation affects cranial nerves.
- Temporal Arteritis: This condition, more common in older adults, can cause headaches, eye pain, and potentially voice changes due to the involvement of blood vessels supplying the head and neck area.
- Brain Tumor: A tumor in the brain could cause a variety of symptoms depending on its location, including headaches, eye sensitivity, and voice changes if it affects areas controlling these functions.
Rare Diagnoses
- Multiple Sclerosis: An autoimmune disease that can affect various parts of the brain and spinal cord, potentially leading to a wide range of symptoms including headache, eye sensitivity, and voice changes.
- Myasthenia Gravis: A neuromuscular disorder that can cause muscle weakness, potentially affecting the muscles used for speech and eye movements, leading to voice changes and eye sensitivity.
- Vocal Cord Paralysis: Due to nerve damage, this condition can cause significant voice changes and, depending on the cause, might be accompanied by headache and eye sensitivity.