It should be enough for the adult, who has to suffer from migraine headaches, but when it comes to children and migraine headaches it can be absolutely heartbreaking. The unfortunate news is that migraine headaches do occur in children. In fact, studies show that nearly 74% of females and 56% of males between the ages of 12 and 17 were reported to having suffered from migraine headaches.
Common Concerns
Of course any parent who watches their child endure the excruciating pain of migraine headaches may allow their brain to wonder and worry about the possibility of a brain tumor or other serious medical condition; however, studies show that most headaches in children and adolescents are not resulting from a serious illness, but rather a diagnosis of migraine headaches.
Diagnosis
Children can experience all types of headaches, including tension headaches, migraine headaches, as well as sinus headaches, they are not immune to them because they are children. While there are no specific tests or labs that can be taken in order to diagnose the occurrence o migraine headaches often the pediatrician or pediatric neurologist will diagnose migraine headaches after looking at the child’s medical history as well as the frequency and severity of the migraine headaches. Often times additional testing such as an MRI or CT scan, can be ordered to rule out any complications, but most often the conclusion of the head pain will result as a diagnosis of migraine headaches. And many children who will be diagnosed with migraine headaches will have a genetic history of those in their family also suffering from migraine headaches.
Treatment
Once a proper diagnosis of migraine headaches has been given in a child there are options for treatment which can help to relive the symptoms and help prevent future migraine headaches. Options can include prescription medications (depending on the age of the child), as well as therapies such as stress management, biofeedback, massage therapy, chiropractic care, or even the use of supplements. Both physicians and parents should remember to listen to the child and treat them as a patient when it comes to treating the symptoms of their migraine headaches, a generalized approach to migraine headaches treatment often does not work, but a more personalized approach will provide relief to the individual symptoms is the best route for treating migraine headaches in children (as well as adults).
Tags: Acetaminophen (a.k.a. Tylenol), migraine pain, migraine relief, Non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID), over the counter medication, treating migraines
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