Migraine Headache in Children and
Adolescents
Do children get headaches?
Yes. About four out of five children
sometimes have a headache. The most common cause is a viral
infection such as a cold or the flu. Children and
adolescents can also get tension-type headaches and migraine
headaches. Brain tumors can cause headaches, but these tumors
are very rare. In addition to a headache, brain tumors almost
always cause problems with coordination, balance, speech,
sight and walking.
What is a migraine headache?
A migraine is usually an intense
pounding headache with nausea that occurs from time to time.
The pounding or pulsing pain usually begins in the forehead,
the side of the head or around the eyes. The headache
gradually gets worse. Just about any movement or activity
seems to make it hurt more. Nausea and vomiting are common.
Bright lights or loud noises make the headache worse. The
headache can last for two hours or even up to two or three
days.
Some people see a pattern of
lines or shadows in front of their eyes as the headache is
beginning. This is called a "warning aura." Most people with
migraine do not have this.
Do many children get migraine headaches?
As many as 5 percent of
children in grade school have migraine headaches. During the
high school years, about 20 percent of adolescents get
migraine headaches. These headaches are more common in girls
than in boys. Boys who get migraines have them more often when
they are about 10 to 12 years old. It is not unusual for them
to have two to three migraine headaches a week.
What causes migraine?
Migraine runs in families, so
doctors think that it may be caused by an abnormal
gene.
How is migraine diagnosed?
Your doctor can diagnose migraines on the
basis of the symptoms your child describes. This is called the
medical history. After taking the medical history, your doctor
will perform a physical exam to be sure that there are no
other causes for the headache.
What can help a headache?
When a migraine headache happens,
your child should go to a cool, dark place and lie down with a
wet cloth across his or her forehead. If the doctor has given
your child a medicine for migraines, your child should take it
as soon as he or she knows a headache is starting. Don't wait!
If your child feels nausea, the doctor can also prescribe a
medicine for that.
How can my child keep from having migraine
headaches?
While there are no sure ways to
keep from having migraine headaches, here are some things that
may help:
- Eat regularly and do not skip
meals.
- Keep a regular sleep schedule.
- Exercise regularly.
- Look for things that might
trigger an attack, like certain foods, stress, too much
exercise or physical activity, certain activities or stress.
Sometimes, life stresses are a trigger. Many psychologists
can teach stress management and/or biofeedback to help your
child manage stress.
- Look for foods that might
trigger an attack, like cheese, processed meats, chocolate,
caffeine, MSG (a preservative in many foods, including Asian
foods), nuts or pickles. About one third of people with
migraine can identify food triggers. Your child only needs
to avoid eating these foods if one of them triggers
headaches.
If your child has frequent
migraine headaches, your doctor may prescribe a daily
preventive medicine to try to make the headaches less frequent
and less severe.
Other Organizations
American Council for Headache
Education
http://www.achenet.org
19 Mantua Rd.
Mt. Royal, NJ
08061
856-423-0258
National Headache
Foundation
http://www.headaches.org
428 W. St. James Place, 2nd Floor
Chicago, Ill.
60614-2750
888-NHF-5552
Source
Headaches in Children
and Adolescents (American Family Physician February
15, 2002, http://www.aafp.org/afp/20020215/625.html
