Which headache is characterized by unilateral, throbbing pain with nausea and photophobia lasting hours to days?

Which headache is characterized by unilateral, throbbing pain with nausea and photophobia lasting hours to days?

• A. Tension-type
• B. Migraine
• C. Cluster
• D. Temporal arteritis

Answer: (B)

Unilateral, pulsating headache with nausea and photophobia that lasts several hours to days is classic for migraine. The throbbing quality and one-sided location are hallmarks, and the accompanying nausea and sensitivity to light are common migraine features, helping to distinguish it from other headaches. Tension-type headaches are usually bilateral and have a pressing, tight feeling rather than a pulsating one, and they don’t typically bring prominent nausea or photophobia. Cluster headaches cause extremely severe, unilateral pain around the eye with autonomic symptoms and occur in short, irregular bursts rather than lasting hours to days. Temporal arteritis tends to affect older adults with scalp tenderness, jaw claudication, and systemic signs, not the migraine symptom cluster described. So this pattern best fits migraine.

Unilateral, pulsating headache with nausea and photophobia that lasts several hours to days is classic for migraine. The throbbing quality and one-sided location are hallmarks, and the accompanying nausea and sensitivity to light are common migraine features, helping to distinguish it from other headaches. Tension-type headaches are usually bilateral and have a pressing, tight feeling rather than a pulsating one, and they don’t typically bring prominent nausea or photophobia. Cluster headaches cause extremely severe, unilateral pain around the eye with autonomic symptoms and occur in short, irregular bursts rather than lasting hours to days. Temporal arteritis tends to affect older adults with scalp tenderness, jaw claudication, and systemic signs, not the migraine symptom cluster described. So this pattern best fits migraine.