Migraines In Children An Overview of Causes, Symptoms And Treatment

Migraines are quite common among kids. They typically complain of a pulsing, excruciating pain. The hurting can last as long as 2 hours to 2 days. It is believed that as many as 5% to 25% of children have periodic migraines. Migraines in children may be classified broadly as common migraines and classic migraines.

Types Of Migraine Headaches

Subcategories of migraine headaches are called Status Migrainosus, Retinal Migraine, Complicated Migraines, Migraine-Associated Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome, and Acephalic Migraine of Childhood.

Phases Of Migraine Headaches In Children

There are four phases of migraine: the prodrome, the aura, the pain, and the postdrome phases.

Prodrome: This stage is when classic symptoms of the migraine begin, usually several hours before onset of a migraine headache and perhaps even 48 hours in advance. The children complain of alterations occur in their dietary pattern, photo-and phonosensitivity, and they may feel drained, are cranky and unhappy.

Aura: This stage is seen only in those who suffer from classic migraine. The children complain of seeing auras, which can be positive or negative auras. An aura is described as seeing shimmering lights, shapes, and zigzag lines, called a positive aura or as experiencing dark holes, blind spots, tunnel vision, which is a negative aura. Some kids may suffer from both aura types. The aura usually occurs half an hour before a migraine headache and lasts for about 10 to 30 minutes. During the aura phase, the child may experience difficulty talking, feel tingling in their hands and legs, experience loss of focus, amnesia, dizziness, increased clumsiness and may feel confused.

Pain: The child suffers unbearable pain and may look pale and vomit during an attack. They could have pulsing on one portion of the head, in the brow, or over their whole head during this stage. The pain intensifies with physical activity. Their face prickles and they may complain of cold, experience numbness, are unusually photo-and phonosensitive, and have nausea. Aversion to eating, heavy sweating, diarrhea/constipation, aversion to smells, throwing up, and clumsiness are other common experiences.

Postdrome: The pain and other symptoms subside leaving the child feeling weak, drained, and wiped-out, often for as long as 2 days.

Triggers Of Migraine Headaches In Children:

There are several theories such as the vascular theory, gene mutations, sterile inflammation process, mitochondrial dysfunctions, changes in levels of serotonin, nitrous oxide, and cortical-spreading depression.

Some other things that can trigger migraine headaches in children are changing their altitude changes, sleep cycles, strenuous physical activities, intense odors, piercing noises, strong glaring lights, and skipping meals.

Certain foods, too, can bring on migraines in kids particularly cheeses, artificial sweeteners, processed, canned, or aged foods, caffeine, chocolates, pickled and marinated foods, and those including MSG (mono sodium glutamate).

Caring for Your Child During A Migraine Headache Episode

The child can rest in a cool, dark room that is as noise-free as possible. A wet cloth or an ice pack can be used, too. Make sure that the child recognizes the symptoms and takes medications that are prescribed by the doctor.

Treatment

It helps if parents see to it that the child sleeps well, eats a healthy diet, exercises regularly and avoids known triggers, like any food items that may cause an attack. Click here for more information on common migraine headache food triggers.

Doctors usually prescribe prophylactic medicines such as, amitriptyline and propranolol, which many parents do not care for because of the possibility for rebound headaches.

Herbal treatments like butter root, ginger tea, feverfew, gingko and valerian root juices are reportedly effective. Biofeedback therapy, exercise and nutritional supplements such as vitamin B2, meditation, aromatherapy, yoga, and relaxation therapy are also effective in cutting occurrences of migraines in children by 50%.

If parents and children learn the symptoms and learn to identify triggers, they can reduce the occurrence of migraines by half or more.