Differential Diagnosis for Left Sided Head Pressure on Waking with Intermittent Daily Headache
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Tension Headache: This is the most common type of headache and can cause pressure on one side of the head, including the left side. It often occurs upon waking and can be intermittent throughout the day. Tension headaches are typically related to stress, poor sleep, or muscle tension.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Migraine: Although migraines are often associated with unilateral pain, they can also present with pressure on one side of the head. They can be triggered by various factors, including sleep patterns, and may occur intermittently.
- Sinusitis: Left-sided sinusitis can cause pressure and pain on the left side of the head, especially if the sinuses are congested upon waking. This condition can lead to intermittent headaches throughout the day.
- Temporal Arteritis: This condition involves inflammation of the blood vessels in the temples and can cause headaches that are worse in the morning. However, it typically affects older adults and may also include symptoms like jaw claudication and visual disturbances.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: Although rare, a subarachnoid hemorrhage can present with sudden, severe headache, often described as "the worst headache" of the patient's life. It's crucial to consider this diagnosis, especially if the headache is sudden and severe, even if it doesn't perfectly match the described pattern.
- Giant Cell Arteritis: Similar to temporal arteritis, giant cell arteritis is an inflammatory condition that can cause severe headaches, but it also carries a risk of blindness if not promptly treated. It typically affects older adults.
- Brain Tumor: A tumor in the left hemisphere of the brain could potentially cause left-sided head pressure and intermittent headaches, especially if it increases intracranial pressure. This would be a rare but critical diagnosis not to miss.
Rare Diagnoses
- Trigeminal Neuralgia: This condition involves sudden, severe facial pain, typically on one side of the face, and can sometimes be mistaken for headache. It's rare and usually involves specific triggers for the pain.
- Occipital Neuralgia: Involves inflammation of the occipital nerves and can cause severe, stabbing pain on one side of the head. It's less common and might be considered if other diagnoses are ruled out.
- Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension (IIH): Also known as pseudotumor cerebri, IIH can cause increased pressure inside the skull, leading to headaches that can be worse in the morning. It's rare and often associated with obesity and other specific factors.