Differential Diagnosis for "Comes in Waves"
- Single most likely diagnosis:
- Migraine: This condition is characterized by recurrent episodes of severe headaches that often come in waves, with symptoms worsening and then improving in a cyclical pattern.
- Other Likely diagnoses:
- Menstrual cramps: Menstrual cramps can come in waves, with pain intensifying and then subsiding as the uterus contracts and relaxes.
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): IBS symptoms, such as abdominal pain and cramping, can occur in waves, with periods of exacerbation followed by periods of relief.
- Panic attacks: Panic attacks can come in waves, with intense fear or discomfort reaching a peak and then subsiding.
- Do Not Miss (ddxs that may not be likely, but would be deadly if missed.):
- Cardiac ischemia or myocardial infarction: Chest pain that comes in waves could be indicative of cardiac ischemia or myocardial infarction, which are medical emergencies.
- Pulmonary embolism: Sudden, wave-like chest pain and shortness of breath could be symptoms of a pulmonary embolism, a potentially life-threatening condition.
- Ovarian torsion: Severe, wave-like abdominal pain could be a sign of ovarian torsion, which requires immediate medical attention.
- Rare diagnoses:
- Porphyria: This group of rare disorders can cause abdominal pain, neurological symptoms, and psychiatric disturbances that come in waves.
- Trigeminal neuralgia: This condition causes sudden, severe, and wave-like facial pain, often triggered by specific actions.
- Cluster headaches: These are extremely painful headaches that occur in waves or clusters, often waking the patient from sleep.