ABSTRACT
DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS Migraine Migraine headaches are unilateral recurrent headaches that occur over days or weeks with periods of freedom. They commonly affect women with the fi rst attack occurring before the age of 30. The headaches are described as a dull throbbing ache and are associated with gastrointestinal (nausea and vomiting) and visual disturbances (photophobia). They may occur with prodromal symptoms which precede the headache by an hour. The aura of a migraine consists of neurological symptoms, such as dizziness or tinnitus and visual symptoms, such as scotomas, unilateral blindness, fl ashes, hemianopic fi eld loss or visual scintillations (i.e. bright zigzag lines).
