What is the differential diagnosis of headache?
The differential diagnoses in patients presenting with possible migraine include temporal arteritis, acute glaucoma, meningitis, transient ischemic attacks, and subarachnoid hemorrhage.
What are the acute and chronic differential diagnoses of a headache?
TACs include episodic and chronic cluster headache, episodic and chronic paroxysmal hemicrania, SUNCT, and hypnic headache. If the duration is ≥4 h, a CDH is likely and the differential diagnosis encompasses chronic migraine, chronic tension-type headache, new daily persistent headache and hemicrania continua.
What is the major difference between a tension headache and a migraine headache?
The pain of a tension headache is dull and happens on both sides of the head. You may feel tightness or pressure in your head. Migraines, on the other hand, occur on only one side or are worse on one side. They are characterized by a severe throbbing or pulsing pain.
What tests are used to diagnose headaches?
Tests for Diagnosing Headaches
- Blood chemistry and urinalysis. These tests may determine many medical conditions, including diabetes, thyroid problems, and infections, which can cause headaches.
- CT scan.
- MRI.
- Sinus X-ray.
- EEG.
- Eye exam.
- Spinal tap.
How can you tell the difference between a migraine and sinus headache?
While sinus headaches are primarily felt in the face, migraines can cause pain around the temples, high in the forehead or in the back of your head. They often occur on only one side of the head, while sinus headaches are usually felt on both sides of the face.
What is the difference between tension headaches and cluster headaches?
Tension headaches: A tension headache is characterized by mild to moderate chronic headache pain, often with a band-like tightness discomfort or pain on both sides of the head. Cluster headaches: A cluster headache produces pain on only one side of the head (unilateral).
What blood test is done for headaches?
Using blood tests to diagnose headaches A complete blood count (CBC), thyroid function, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) are basic tests that are helpful in evaluating some headache patients. A basic metabolic panel should include glucose, electrolyte and fluid balance, and kidney function.
When is a headache alarming?
Your headache comes on suddenly and is explosive or violent. Your headache is “the worst ever,” even if you regularly get headaches. You also have slurred speech, a change in vision, problems moving your arms or legs, loss of balance, confusion, or memory loss with your headache. Your headache gets worse over 24 hours.
What are the main causes of headache?
Causes of headache
- stress.
- muscular tension.
- dental or jaw problems.
- infections.
- diet.
- eye problems.
- hormonal influences.
- medications.
What is TMJ headache?
A TMJ headache is face, cheek, and head pain caused by a TMJ disorder. This disorder causes pain in the temporomandibular joint—the joint that connects the jaw to the skull—which spreads upwards to other areas of the head.
What is the thunderclap headache?
Overview. Thunderclap headaches live up to their name, striking suddenly like a clap of thunder. The pain of these severe headaches peaks within 60 seconds. Thunderclap headaches are uncommon, but they can warn of potentially life-threatening conditions — usually having to do with bleeding in and around the brain.
Can high ESR cause headache?
Cranial nerve palsies in the elderly are usually due to ischemia, but when they occur in conjunction with an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and headache, they could be associated with giant cell arteritis.
What are the most common types of headaches?
The most common types of headaches that cause people to seek medical care are primary headaches—tension headaches, migraines, and cluster headaches.
- Tension headaches. Tension headaches are the most common type of headache.
- Migraines.
- Cluster headaches.
Why is it important to form a differential diagnosis of headaches?
All these types make it essential to form a differential diagnosis of headaches. The treatment of a headache depends on the type and severity of the headache and on other factors such as the age of the patient. A headache is also referred to as cephalgia. All headaches are considered primary headaches or secondary headaches.
What is the difference between primary and secondary headaches?
Primary headaches are headache syndromes not due to another cause. Primary headaches are often chronic and the diagnosis is established early in adulthood. II. Secondary Headaches (e.g., those caused by infection or vascular disease, etc.) Secondary headache syndromes are due to other causes (e.g. systemic illness or neurological abnormalities).
What are the different types of headaches?
These will help in understanding the differential diagnosis of headaches, Some common types include: Primary paroxysmal hemicrania (a type of a cluster headache) Hypnic headache (headaches that awaken a person from sleep) Hemicrania continua (headaches that are persistently on one side only. right or left [unilateral])
What is the best treatment for a headache in the head?
Headache improved with over-the-counter analgesics. On examination, there are no neurological deficits, neck is supple. A CT head non-contrast is obtained: