Migraines: Across The Age Lines

The dictionary describes a migraine as “A recurrent throbbing headache that typically affects one side of the head and is often accompanied by nausea and disturbed vision.”  To those suffering with migraines, you know it is much more.  Migraines are very painful and often completely debilitating.  In addition to nausea/vomiting and disturbed vision, migraines may be accompanied by sensitivities to light, sound and smell.  This makes continuing your daily tasks very difficult.  Migraines are believed to be due to a combination of genetics and environmental factors.  Migraines do not discriminate and can impact any person, at any age, though research shows that females are more susceptible to these headaches than men.  How do migraines impact the various age groups differently?

Children/Teenagers

Small children can get headaches too!  It’s believed that nearly 20% of adults, who suffer from migraines, started experiencing them as early as ten years old.  Children get the same kinds of migraines that adults do, roughly 5% of school-aged children are diagnosed with migraines.  Most headaches in children are due to illness, cold or fever.  The exact cause of migraines in children is not known, however, they believe it is linked to genetics and changes in the brain.  Nearly 70% of all children and teenagers diagnosed with migraines have an immediate family member that suffers with them, as well.  One advantage of having a family member with migraines is that the child tends to have the same migraine triggers as their family member.  Exercise and too much sun exposure can be an easy trigger for children.  Hobbies and even Physical Education classes at school may need to be modified for a child with migraines.  Treatment of migraines in children falls into three categories, preventative, abortive and symptomatic relief.  For the most part, children are able to take the same medications recommended to adults, but in smaller doses.  Alternative therapies are also available to children and carry a lower risk of complications than medication.

Adults

Experiencing a headache that may last anywhere from four to 72 hours, can really make your job a challenge.  The late teen and early adult years are the most common for the onset of migraines.  Migraines often start just before or right as you wake in the morning and intensify throughout the day.  Adults may experience the following symptoms during a migraine attack:

• Pain on one side of the head, often in the front or around temples.
• Throbbing, pulsating pain
• Pain worsens with movement
• Moderate to severe pain
• Nausea, vomiting, dizziness
• Sensitivity to light, sound or smell

When experiencing a migraine attack and the accompanying symptoms, it is important to have a clear and appropriate treatment plan in place.  For adult suffers, your physician may prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), anti-depressants, anti-seizure medicines or beta blockers to alleviate pain.  Herbal remedies are also available, should you prefer to avoid medication.  Alternative therapies such as massage therapy, acupuncture, biofeedback, and even yoga may be helpful in relieving tension and stress triggers associated with your migraine.

Elderly

It is very rare for migraines to first occur in people over the age of 50; however, should your migraine symptoms change or you experience a migraine for the first time at this point in your life, you need to seek medical attention as it could indicate the presence of another health issue.  For those who have dealt with migraines since their youth or adulthood, some minor changes may occur with age.  Migraine symptoms tend to diminish around the age of 50 though this isn’t always the case.  Migraine attacks typically become less frequency and severe over the years and the accompanying symptoms lessen or completely disappear.  Many elderly migraine sufferers report that they still experience aura symptoms without the actual headache.  Treating migraines in older patients can be difficult, due to the sensitivities in their bodies and other health impairments they may already be experiencing.  The best option is taking preventative medications (i.e. beta blockers, NSAIDs, anti-depressants, and anti-seizure medicine) on a regular scheduled basis, but in a lower dosage.

Regardless of age, one simple step to help alleviate migraines is to lie down in a dark and quiet space with a cool compression over your eyes.  This will help ease symptoms until you are able to seek appropriate treatment.

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