What are some differential diagnosis for headaches?

What are some differential diagnosis for headaches?

The differential diagnoses in patients presenting with possible migraine include temporal arteritis, acute glaucoma, meningitis, transient ischemic attacks, and subarachnoid hemorrhage.

What cause chronic headaches?

Conditions that might cause nonprimary chronic daily headaches include: Inflammation or other problems with the blood vessels in and around the brain, including stroke. Infections, such as meningitis. Intracranial pressure that’s either too high or too low.

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 are the types of chronic headaches?

The types of chronic daily headaches

• Chronic migraines.
• Chronic tension headaches.
• Chronic post-traumatic headaches.
• New daily persistent headaches.
• Hemicrania continua.

How do you diagnose chronic headaches?

Chronic migraine is defined as having at least 15 headache days a month, with at least 8 days of having headaches with migraine features, for more than 3 months.

When should I be worried about a constant headache?

Headaches that get steadily worse. Changes in personality or mental function. Headaches that are accompanied by fever, stiff neck, confusion, decreased alertness or memory, or neurological symptoms such as visual disturbances, slurred speech, weakness, numbness, or seizures.

Is a CT scan or MRI better for headaches?

If a scan is ordered to evaluate a headache disorder, MRI with contrast is preferred as it is a more sensitive test than CT and does not involve any radiation. However, as it is so sensitive, there are often abnormal findings unrelated to the headache that may lead to further testing.

What is the treatment for chronic headaches?

Options include topiramate (Topamax, Qudexy XR, others), divalproex sodium (Depakote) and gabapentin (Neurontin, Gralise). NSAIDs. Prescription nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs — such as naproxen sodium (Anaprox, Naprelan) — might be helpful, especially if you’re withdrawing from other pain relievers.

Can CT scan detect headaches?

A CT scan uses X-rays and computers to make images of the body. It can sometimes help doctors diagnose headaches and their causes. You might need one if you have headaches daily or almost every day or have a sudden onset severe headache.

Is it normal to have headache everyday?

Most people get headaches once in a while but it’s not normal to have a headache every day. Make an appointment with your primary care provider to get checked. In the meantime it’s a good idea to keep a diary of your headaches.