Children and Migraines
The frequency of migraine is amongst children is estimated at between
5 and 8% of children under 15 years of age. Sometimes this can be a very
painful and debilitating ailment; it is severely under diagnosed by the
family, by minimizing the perceived level of the pain and / or frequency
of attacks.
Migraine expressed in a context of family history especially in regard
to the mother in far more than half the cases and is often associated
with the circumstances of stress or physical activity. In most cases,
the headache develops in the fairly typical form, with recurrent and
often violent headaches. Sometimes only affecting one side of the head
(brain) or sometimes at the front, just behind the eyes.
Nausea and vomiting may be present, as in adults, children seek calm
free from noise and flee away from the light (phonophobia and
photophobia). Very often the child wants to sleep and sleep as a
restorative effect to avoid the attack for a few hours.
Alongside these forms fairly typical migraines symptoms, children can
have other symptoms that are not typical (atypical) recurrent abdominal
pain which seem to be signs similar to colic or even appendicitis.
Disorders of concentration that may be suggestive of a type of epilepsy,
but when watched carefully are always associated with or followed by a
headache.
Behavioural disorders that may include hallucinations, simple or
elaborate could be a symptom. Other symptoms may include multiple
episodes of Vertigo which is not always associated with heights and
includes dizziness with balance problems, paleness, nausea and vomiting.
Night terrors may also be associated with migraines rather than a simple
nightmare.
The screening and diagnosis is usually clinical and does not require
supplemental review in most cases. The complicated forms and / or severe
forms of migraine are fortunately rare but may require a neurological
examination and non-invasive explorations of the brain. In case of doubt
it is always best to consult a doctor, not all children’s headaches are
migraines and not all migraines will become a real problem, but the
earlier a diagnosis is made the more likely that the child will not
suffer debilitating attacks.
A big factor in children’s migraine can be food and drinks, chocolate is
a particularly common cause of migraine among children and of course
kids can consume large amounts without you even knowing. Keeping a food
diary noting what your child eats throughout each day may be a difficult
problem. But if it can be managed with the help of teachers,
grandparents and the child, it may indicate if eating a certain food,
such as beans, is soon followed by a headache or migraine attack. |
