There is no discrimination when it comes to migraine victims. Unfortunately migraines can start as early as adolescence. The number of children affected by migraines is growing
quickly. Kids as young as 5 yrs of age are being reported to have suffered migraines. Migraines in children are more likely to affect boys over girls until they hit puberty, then females become the larger of the two groups. Many believe the hormonal changes due to the menstrual cycle are responsible for the increase in migraines in girls. Fluctuating estrogen levels is a common trigger.
Things to Listen For
As a parent, it can be very difficult to discern your child’s symptoms. Children have trouble communicating their symptoms effectively. So how do you know if it is a regular headache or it is a migraine? You should pay close attention if your child’s headache is accompanied by nausea. It is important to note if your child is sensitive to light, sound, or smells. How they describe their pain- i.e. throbbing, pulse in their head, like a drum or heartbeat. Find out the location of the pain. Is it in the front of the head, side, or back?
Finding the Cause
There are things you can do to help your child. First, if you suspect recurring migraines call your child’s doctor. You need to make sure there is not an underlying illness causing the migraines.
Once you have ruled that out, the next place to look is at your child’s diet. Keep a journal for at least a month of your child’s daily activities and eating habits. Record everything that happened within the 24 hours period leading up to the migraine. Ask yourself, are they eating balanced meals at home? Make sure they are not skipping any meals. Do they make healthy choices at school? Do they drink colas and eat fast food? Sadly, for so many children, their diets are not filled with the healthy foods that their bodies need during this crucial growing phase. Try eliminating processed foods. Preservatives can often act as triggers too.
Treating Migraines in Children
A large concern for parents is the use of prescription medication to treat migraines. If the migraine has a warning “aura” you can use large doses of over the counter anti-inflammatory drugs. There are also natural alternatives you can use. Herbal supplements such as feverfew and butterbur are commonly used to treat migraines. Taking vitamin supplements such as Magnesium, Vitamin B2, CoeQ10, & Fish Oils have also been proven helpful. It may require some trial and error but there is hope out there for the parent looking for natural alternatives to help their child.
Tags: migraine headaches, Migraine Support Formula, migraine symptoms, migraine treatment, migraine triggers, Migraines, natural migraine treatment, natural treatment, symptoms of migraines
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