Can Kids Have Migraines

Yes, kids also suffer from migraines. According to the American Medical Association, more than eight million, or 15 % of all children by the age 15 suffer from migraine headaches.

Fortunately, these headaches often stop as kids become adults. Many children often stop having migraines within a year, even without treatment.

But to reduce their impact, doctors recommend maintaining a regular bedtime and mealtime schedule. Researchers also believe that the cause of migraines is the same in children and adults, but children often exhibit different symptoms.

Migraines

A migraine headache is an intense pounding headache with nausea that can occur rarely or frequently form person to person. The pounding pain usually begins in the forehead, the side of the head or around the eyes, and the headache gradually gets worse.

Any movement or activity make the headache hurt even more. Nausea is very common in people who suffer from migraines. Bright lights and loud noises can also exacerbate a migraine headache. These headaches are known to last for up to two hours or more.

Some can even last even up to two or three days. Usually people who have these headaches often see a pattern of lines or shadows in front of their eyes as the headache beings, this is known as a "warning aura." However, a lot of migraine sufferers do not experience this warning.

Children & Migraines

Around 5% of grade school children in have migraine headaches, while in adolescents about 20 % suffer from a migraine. These headaches are more common in girls than in boys. So what causes migraines? No one has been able to understand what causes a migraine headache.

However, scientists believe that migraine might be genetic, as most kids who have migraines, usually have a parent or parents who suffer form them as well. Some doctor think migraines are caused by an abnormal gene that is hereditary.

A migraine begins when, for some unknown reason the blood vessels in the brain narrow temporarily.

When that happens, the amount of oxygenated blood going to the brain drops, causing other blood vessels to dilate and expand quickly. When these blood vessels expand, they become inflamed and cause a throbbing, pounding pain in the head. As migraines involve changes in the blood vessels, they are called vascular headaches.

Triggers

Scientists believe that kids who get migraines are triggered to have these headaches by certain external factors as well. These factors trigger a reaction in the central nervous system and start a migraine attack. Some common triggers include;

• stress
• menstruations
• skipping meals
• excessive caffeine and coal drinks
• certain foods like cheese, pizza, chocolate, ice cream, fatty or fried food, lunch meats, hot dogs, yogurt, or anything with MSG
• too much or too little sleep
• weather changes &
• travel

Treating Migraines

A migraine can be extremely upsetting for some kids, as they can last for long periods, interfere with school and after school activities and can cause balance problems. Suggested treatments for kids include;

• The use of pain reliever medications like acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
• Medication that can reduce nausea
• Sedatives to help children get some sleep and get rid of the headache

Some doctors now also recommend using a method called biofeedback. This technique helps both children and adults learn to relax and gain control over certain body functions. With the help of biofeedback people can prevent a migraine by remaining calm and peaceful.

However, when a migraine headache does occur, it is important that children go to a cool, dark place and lie down with a wet cloth across his or her forehead.

Avoiding Migraines in Kids

While there are no sure ways avoid having a migraine, here are some things that may help:

• Eat regularly meals
• Keep a regular sleep schedule
• Exercise regularly
• Look out for things that might trigger an attack, like certain foods, stress or too much exercise or physical activity

Around a third of people with migraine have food triggers. Avoid eating these foods if one of them triggers a migraine.