Migraine headaches often appear in children. If a parent has migraines, there is a 50% chance that a child will also suffer from migraines.
Although it is commonly thought that children do not get migraine headaches, familydoctor.org states that approximately 5% of grade school children and 20% of adolescents get migraine headaches. Although girls tend to get migraines more often, boys also can suffer from migraines.
What is a Migraine?
Migraine is actually a disease, rather than simply a headache. Symptoms include:
- Pounding headache, usually beginning on one side of head or forehead or around the eyes.
- Nausea or vomiting
- Sensitivity to light
- Numbness and difficulty with speech
- Aura
Migraine headaches can last anywhere from several hours to several days. They are considered to be hereditary. When one parent suffers from migraines, there is a 50% chance each child will also develop migraines.
Treatment of Migraines
Although migraine disease is a physical condition, there are several treatment methods:
Understanding Triggers – Triggers for migraines can be different in each person. It is useful to keep a headache diary to help understand your child’s triggers. Familydoctor.org lists certain foods, such as aspartame or foods containing MSG as common migraine triggers. In addition, stress, changes in routine, skipping meals or menstrual cycles are also common triggers.
Medication – When a child has frequent headaches that may be interfering in their ability to attend school or impacts their school performance, a doctor may prescribe medication to be taken daily to help prevent headaches. In addition, there are numerous migraine medications that can be taken at the onset of a headache to help prevent it from becoming debilitating.
For infrequent headaches, analgesics (pain relievers) such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen will help to provide relief. However, these medications can cause stomach and abdominal pain and should be used only according to the directions. You should consult your doctor if your child is getting frequent headaches.
In addition, lying in a dark room with a cool cloth over the forehead will sometimes lessen the pain associated with migraine headaches.
Diagnosing a Headache
When your child complains of frequent or severe headaches, you should contact your physician. He will complete a physical examination and may request imaging tests, such as an MRI or CAT scan. These tests are completed to be sure there is no underlying physical causes of the headache. He may also request a complete eye examination to rule out vision problems.
Your physician will probably ask questions about family medical history, as migraines are considered hereditary. Based on this information, as well as descriptions from your child of the headaches, your doctor will provide a diagnosis.
Preventing Migraine Headaches
There are a number of ways parents can help their children to prevent a migraine headache:
- Maintain a healthy lifestyle by eating three meals a day, without skipping meals, exercise on a regular basis and keep a scheduled bedtime.
- Determine if there are triggers such as extreme tiredness, stress or strenuous activities that may bring on a migraine headache. Teach your child to avoid headaches by learning the triggers. If stress causes headaches, consider stress management that can be taught by psychologists or biofeedback to help your child better handle stress in their life.
- Look for foods that may trigger a migraine, such as foods containing MSG, aspartame, caffeine or processed meats. Many people are able to identify food triggers and avoiding these foods may decrease the number or frequency of headaches.
- If your child is having frequent or severe headaches, your physician can prescribe a medication to be taken on a daily basis or a one that is taken at the onset of a headache.
For more information on migraine headaches:
Botox Injections for Migraines
Sources:
Migraine Headache in Children and Adolescents, 2002, DW Lewis, M.D. Familydoctor.org
Migraines n Children and Adolescents,
2005, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation
