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Youths and Migraines

Children are not exempt from getting migraine headaches. Half of all adult migraine sufferers report having had their first headache as a child. Relieve-Migraine-Headache.com notes that 5 percent of people have at least one migraine headache before the age of 15. KidsHealth.org reveals that eight million children in the United States are afflicted with migraines. A migraine headache can be a scary experience for a child and their parents.

  1. Vascular Headache

    • A migraine occurs because blood vessels in the brain narrow and blood flow and oxygen levels drop. The brain subsequently orders more blood and oxygen to be released. This results in the expansion of blood vessels, which become inflamed and cause excruciating pain. A migraine is considered a vascular headache.

    Genetics and Determining a Pattern

    • It may be that children are genetically predisposed to have headaches. If your child is suffering from migraines or headaches, try to determine a pattern and see if you can determine what may be causing the problem, suggests Dr. Sarah Cheyette, author of "Mommy, My Head Hurts."

    Identification

    • Symptoms of a migraine in a child include head pain--particularly if it is on one side of the head, although in children the pain may strike both sides--nausea and a change of temperament, including sadness or a burst of anger.

    Aura

    • About one-fourth of children who have migraines will experience an aura. An aura gives a warning that a headache is about to begin, which is referred to as the prodromal stage. An aura can include visual disturbances, such as seeing jagged lines, circles, distortions or flashing lights. Objects can seem farther away, or closer than they truly are. An aura can cause slurred speech; aphasia, which is the inability to find the right word when you are talking; ringing in the ears; difficulty focusing and dizziness.

    Potential

    • When a migraine is imminent, your child may smell an odor that is not actually present and experience tingling and numbness in their feet, lips or hands. Some children may get a stiff neck, start yawning and become thirsty as well as irritable or euphoric.

    Treatment

    • The Mayo Clinic advises that both prescription and over-the-counter headache medicines are available for children. Tylenol and ibuprofen can be used. One combination medicine that is helpful in children is Midrin®, which contains isometheptene and constricts blood vessels, along with dichloralphenazone, which is a mild sedative. Triptans, opioids, benzodiazepines and barbiturates are sometimes used but they are habit-forming so caution is advised. If your child is vomiting along with the migraine, your physician may prescribe Phenergan®.

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