Although most people with migraine headache are adults, there are many children who are also affected. Many of these children start out very young experiencing migraine headaches and many parents are unaware that the pain their child suffers is from migraine. Sometimes, the motion sickness that a child experiences while in the car or other vehicle is only a symptom of the real bottom-line cause: migraine.
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.
From personal experience, both of my children were affected by migraine headaches when they were young. My son still gets them and he is now thirty years old. My daughter suffered from motion sickness when she was young. She still cannot ride in the back seat and has migraine headaches from time to time. Both began their journey when they were pre-teen. My daughter missed several field trips with her school and my son would suffer tremendous headaches, especially during rain storms.
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. I agree with this theory. I also think that just because someone in your family has or had migraines, it doesn’t necessarily mean you will have the same exact type of migraine. I also experience migraine headaches, although I have the best type there is, the silent migraine which usually consists of aura and a dull pain for about an hour or so. However, neither of my children have this type of migraine. Theirs is a more painful, debilitating type.
Causes
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. Children consume all manner of products that contain additives, artificial ingredients, and tons of sugar each year. It is no wonder why those prone with this condition experience repeated sessions. My son realized that many of his migraines were a result of chocolate. When he indulged in this decadent pleasure, he would ultimately have a migraine headache. On the other hand, when he refrained from eating chocolate, his migraines would lessen in frequency and severity.
What Can Parents Do?
Since there are no lab tests available for 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 children with migraine needs supportive parents. Parents who know and prevent food and beverage triggers for the headache, provide a stable, loving environment, and watch the stress levels of the child will help make a way towards preventing migraine attacks in children.
Tags: children and migraines, chronic migraines, hormonal changes, migraine, migraine headaches, migraine symptoms, migraine trigger
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