Differential Diagnosis for Headache and Foot Pain
- Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Tension headache with referred pain to the foot due to muscle tension: This is a common condition where muscle tension in the neck and scalp can radiate pain to other areas, including the foot.
- Other Likely Diagnoses
- Migraine with aura: Some people experience migraines with aura, which can cause neurological symptoms such as numbness, tingling, or pain in the extremities, including the foot.
- Fibromyalgia: This chronic condition is characterized by widespread muscle pain, including headaches and foot pain.
- Peripheral neuropathy: Damage to the peripheral nerves can cause pain, numbness, or tingling in the feet, which can be accompanied by headaches.
- Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Temporal arteritis: This condition involves inflammation of the blood vessels in the head, which can cause headaches and pain in other areas, including the feet. If left untreated, it can lead to blindness or stroke.
- Lyme disease: This bacterial infection can cause headaches, joint pain, and neurological symptoms, including foot pain. If left untreated, it can lead to serious complications.
- Multiple sclerosis: This chronic condition affects the central nervous system and can cause a wide range of symptoms, including headaches, foot pain, and numbness.
- Rare Diagnoses
- Erythromelalgia: This rare condition is characterized by burning pain, heat, and redness in the hands and feet, which can be accompanied by headaches.
- Complex regional pain syndrome: This condition is characterized by chronic pain, inflammation, and sensitivity in one limb, which can be accompanied by headaches.
- Sjögren's syndrome: This autoimmune disorder can cause dry eyes, dry mouth, and joint pain, including foot pain, which can be accompanied by headaches.