AGE FACTORS

Migraine headache is a most incapacitating condition and there are a great number of people affected. Among the age groups, children with migraine are distressing. Migraine is the most common recurring headache pattern in children. These experiences not only include the excruciating head pain, but also often include other symptoms such as vomiting, abdominal pain, nausea, and sensitivity to light and/or sounds. Usually the only real relief for these headaches is deep sleep. Doctors also give pain relief and preventive medications.

During a migraine, many children report a severe headache pain around the eyes, at the forehead, or in the temple region. Some children experience vision changes, called auras during the headache. Others have vomiting and nausea. Many children avoid bright lights, loud noises, and strong odors as these tend to magnify the headache.

Although migraines are not considered a life-threatening disease, the havoc it raises in the life of individuals is merciless. The symptoms of migraine disrupt the lives of 60-80% of children. Many children are unable to lead normal lives because of the incapacitation of migraine. School days, activities, and social events are hijacked with migraine.

THE INHERITANCE FACTOR

An inherited tendency seems to be the factor that makes people more likely to have the headache, although science doesn’t know quite how. Emotional or physical stress, an illness, and/ or certain foods or liquids may trigger a migraine. Although illness is one thing that sometimes cannot be avoided, foods, beverages, and stress can be analyzed and controlled. Think about all the additives and chemicals children, on average, eat every day. Most of the sweets, chips, soda drinks, and candy all have something un-natural in them. Also, the lifestyle of many children is not ideal. Many cope with struggles within the family, struggles in education, and struggles in social settings. In these cases, it is no wonder that children fall victim to migraine. Another interesting fact is that of remission. Migraines in children increase during adolescence and peak at about the age of 44. Apparently, the frequency of migraines in children can go into remission, often stopping on their own for no obvious reason.

GENDER

Between infancy and age seven, boys are slightly more affected than girls. This preeminence continues through adolescence. However, when girls have their first period, they experience more migraines. The prevalence of migraines continues through adolescence and young adulthood with 20-30% girls and 10-20% boys affected. This continues into middle age. The frequency of the headache seems to diminish after the age of 50.

Approximately 20% of children experience their first migraine before five years of age. Preschoolers with this headache attack can suffer from the vomiting and abdominal pain. They look ill and usually just want to sleep. They may show pain by irritability, crying, rocking, or seeking out a dark place in which to sleep.

Between 5-10 years of age, children affected by migraine attacks display these symptoms: headache – vomiting – nausea – abdominal pain – photophobia (sensitivity to light) – phonophobia (sensitivity to sound) – osmophobia (sensitivity to smells) – a need to sleep – paleness with dark circles under the eyes – tearing – swollen nasal passages – thirst – swelling – excessive sweating – increased urination – diarrhea.
Older children usually have a headache on one side of the skull. The location and intensity change during or between attacks.

CAUSES OF MIGRAINE HEADACHE IN CHILDREN

Although the exact cause of migraine headache is unknown, certain headaches are thought to be caused by a lack of a chemical in the brain called serotonin. Many of the medicines for migraine target this chemical. Many people know what triggers their migraine. As mentioned earlier, many headaches are a result of the food, beverage, or activity undertaken. The most common triggers include:
alcohol – cheese – chocolate – nuts – shellfish – Chinese food (because of the MSG – mono sodium glutamate) – sugar – and caffeine.
Migraines may have other triggers and most certainly have other internal causes but knowing what triggers migraines may help children develop a healthy lifestyle and lessen the frequency and intensity of the headache.

DIAGNOSIS OF MIGRAINE IN CHILDREN

There is no laboratory or radiologic tests available for the diagnosis of migraine. In children, doctors will make the diagnosis through medical history, physical examination with an emphasis on the neurological components, and clinical judgment. The treatment of migraine is important for children and doctors are concerned that these special patients receive the best of help. Parents are a key factor in the treatment. Knowing and preventing food and beverage triggers for the headache, providing a stable, loving environment, and watching the stress levels of the child will go a long way towards preventing migraine attacks in children.

Tags: headaches, migraine attacks, migraine treatment, Migraines, side effects, symptoms, treating migraines, vascular headachce