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Differential Diagnosis for Headaches

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. It's typically bilateral, mild to moderate in severity, and not accompanied by other symptoms like nausea, vomiting, or neurological deficits.

Other Likely Diagnoses

  • Migraine: Characterized by recurrent episodes of severe headaches, often unilateral and pulsating, accompanied by nausea, vomiting, photophobia, and phonophobia. Migraines can be triggered by various factors, including hormonal changes, certain foods, and stress.
  • Cluster Headache: A severe, unilateral headache that occurs in clusters or cycles, often waking the patient from sleep. It's accompanied by autonomic symptoms like lacrimation, nasal congestion, and ptosis on the same side as the headache.
  • Sinus Headache: Caused by inflammation or infection of the sinuses, leading to pain and pressure in the face, particularly in the cheeks and forehead.

Do Not Miss Diagnoses

  • Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: A life-threatening condition caused by bleeding into the space surrounding the brain, leading to a sudden, severe headache often described as "the worst headache of my life." It requires immediate medical attention.
  • Meningitis: Inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, which can cause headache, fever, neck stiffness, and confusion. It's a medical emergency.
  • Temporal Arteritis: Inflammation of the blood vessels in the temples, which can cause headaches, visual disturbances, and jaw claudication. If left untreated, it can lead to blindness.
  • Brain Tumor: Although rare, headaches can be a symptom of a brain tumor, especially if accompanied by other neurological symptoms like seizures, confusion, or focal neurological deficits.

Rare Diagnoses

  • Trigeminal Neuralgia: A chronic pain condition that affects the trigeminal nerve, causing intense, shock-like or stabbing pain in parts of the face.
  • Hemicrania Continua: A rare headache disorder characterized by a continuous, unilateral headache with periods of exacerbation.
  • Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension: A condition characterized by increased pressure within the skull without any apparent cause, leading to headaches, vision changes, and papilledema.
  • Cervicogenic Headache: A headache caused by referred pain from the cervical spine, often accompanied by neck pain and limited range of motion.

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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