Some people might think of migraine headaches as being an adult health problem. But by age seven, about two percent of children have experienced migraine pain and by age 15 about 10 percent of children and teens have experienced migraine pain, according to the Cleveland Clinic website. A migraine is a headache with moderate to severe pain. It is caused by the blood vessels in the head narrowing or expanding. A migraine usually lasts two to four hours and occurs two to four times a month. Among children, migraines happen more frequently among boys. In adolescence, and then on into adulthood, migraines affect more females than males.
Although the pain can be significant and the migraine symptoms can disrupt children’s daily activities, migraines are not caused by more serious health conditions like brain tumors or strokes. A doctor can help determine that it is a migraine causing the pain and then guide the parents and child in the best course of treatment. Many times migraine headaches run in families, so if a child suffers migraines, then there is often an immediate family member who also has migraines.
Migraine Symptoms
Children with migraines can have a variety of different symptoms, but according to the Cleveland Clinic some of the common migraine headache symptoms are:
- throbbing pain in the head,
- pale skin,
- sensitivity to sound or light,
- loss of appetite,
- nausea and vomiting.
Types of Migraine Headaches
There is not just a one-size-fits-all migraine among children. There are several types of migraine headaches, with varying symptoms:
- Common migraine is without aura (a warning that the migraine is coming, such as blurred vision, blind spots, flashing or moving lights). These are the most frequent kind of migraines in children and teens.
- Classic migraine is with aura. This migraine is a less frequent migraine among children.
- Complicated migraine occurs with neurological symptoms (these can cause weakness, numbness, tingling, balance difficulties, vision disturbances, language problems, or confusion). For children who suffer with these migraine symptoms, doctors usually prescribe a neurological evaluation.
- Migraine variants are migraines with symptoms that occur and then disappear over time. These symptoms include intense dizziness, contraction of the neck muscles, and uncontrolled vomiting. These symptoms can occur without headache pain.
Migraine Triggers
Although migraines tend to run in families, there are things that trigger the occurrence of migraine headaches. These include:
- stress,
- caffeine,
- changes in weather,
- medications,
- diet (certain foods can be triggers),
- change in regular routine (includes lack of sleep, skipping meals, or travel),
- menstruation.
Treatments for Migraines
Migraines can be disruptive enough to cause a child to miss school, family, and social activities. So it’s important to seek and find the proper treatment to ease the suffering of migraines. The child, parents and health care provider should work together to find the best treatment for the migraine attacks.
A migraine sufferer (with a parent’s help) should keep a “headache diary” recording when the migraines occur, how long they last, what the symptoms are, what activity the child was doing before it started, and what foods the child has been eating. The headache diary might help to show if there are patterns to the migraine attacks or if certain migraine headache triggers are starting the attacks.
While there are no magical migraine cures, there are treatments that can work very well. Some of the possible treatments for migraines might include:
- medications (to relieve the symptoms, to stop the headache process once it starts, or to prevent the migraines from starting)
- stress reduction techniques to help a child relax and gain control of the tension and pain
- lifestyle changes (drinking six to eight glasses of water a day, avoiding food “triggers,” getting plenty of sleep on a regular schedule, eating regular meals, and exercising regularly)
- early reaction when the first migraine symptoms appear (resting in a cool, dark, quiet room; applying a cold compress to the area that hurts; using relaxation techniques to ease stress and calm the pain)
Most children who have migraines can be helped either to prevent the migraines from occurring or to ease the symptoms of an attack. Seek a doctor's help for the best treatment plan.
For more information about migraines, see the following articles:
Migraine Headaches and Tension Headaches in Teens
Migraine Headache Remedies That Bring Help for Migraines
Migraine Sufferer's Guide to the Holidays
References:
Cleveland Clinic. Migraines in Children and Adolescents, Accessed 02-06-10
Discovery Health. Headache Center. Migraines in Children, Accessed 02-06-10
Donna McKinney - Donna McKinney has a 25-year career writing on topics ranging from science and technology to health to Christianity. Her articles are ...
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