About Migraines - Migraine Symptoms, Causes of Migarines
Around 10% of all adolescents suffer from regular headaches; half of
those are migraine headaches, while most of the others suffer from
tension headaches. Migraine is the same among adolescents as in adults,
just slightly more common. A typical crisis involves a pulsing headache,
often unilateral. These headaches are often accompanied by nausea,
vomiting and intolerance to light and noise.
The crisis lasts between a few hours and 2 or 3 days, in about one
quarter of all cases, the crisis is announced by an "aura" which
typically occurs by visual disturbances (clear vision of lights before
the eyes). It may also be noticed difficulties in finding words or a
feeling of numbness in the limbs.
In younger children, migraine is different with more youngsters
suffering, plus their migraine crises are shorter and it is rare that
the headache is unilateral. Much more often, children have a pain in
their head. In some cases there are absolutely no headaches, but against
that are other symptoms of migraine, such as abdominal pain. The
gastro-intestinal disorders are usually intense in younger patients.
As a teenager, migraines changes shape the physical changes making room
for the shape of the adult. In other words, a migraine like puberty is a
phase of change. One of the characteristics of migraine adolescents is
painful crises that are followed by a period that is totally symptom
free. With tension headaches there are only short breaks or the victim
may see no break at all.
Migraines can have a dramatic impact on the daily lives of all
sufferers, but in particular in adolescents as they are in a phase of
schooling during which there is pressure and stress. Migraines can
prohibit and destroy regular activities at the last minute without
warning. All this is not without consequences, studies show that young
migraine sufferers are more often depressed and feel that depression
more intensely than others of the same age.
The diagnosis is difficult, but it is important to ensure effective
treatment which is too often lacking. A Dutch study shows that only 2%
of all children and adolescents suffering from regular headaches are
treated medically.
It takes time to properly assess a migraine and create an appropriate
treatment for adults or teens. The doctor must clarify the symptoms and
conditions under which they occur. When migraine is not improving
despite medications and regular medical consultations, it is often
because the approach has not been completed effectively.
It is not known yet what causes migraine, but crises do not occur
spontaneously. Most often several factors are associated together and
cause the crisis so it is worthwhile to clarify the triggers in each
patient: Their removal or at least their reduction will reduce
significantly the number of migraine attacks. |
