Migraine headaches typically present with unilateral or bilateral boring head pain accompanied by nausea, vomiting, photophobia, phonophobia, fatigue and mood changes. An associated aura is a visual disturbance that includes zigzagging flashing lights, blurred or whitening of the vision or a visual field defect lasting 10-20 minutes. Neurologic deficits such as diplopia may occur. A family history is common, as is a childhood history of motion sickness or cyclic vomiting.

Most unilateral migraine headaches at some point change sides of the head. Patients who always have a headache on the same side of the head may have a more serious headache disorder. Migraine headaches can occur in children and adults but in either case they should be evaluated by your ophthalmologist and neurologist. Imaging studies may be necessary to rule out the presence of a brain tumor as the cause of the headaches.

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