Frequent Migraines in Children

People with frequent migraines suffer from throbbing headaches, most often on one side of the head. About five percent of young children and 20 percent of teenagers develop recurrent migraines.

Causes

• Children often develop migraines because of fluctuations in levels of serotonin, a chemical in the brain. Some children start having frequent migraines as early as age ten, according to MedlinePlus.

Risk Factors

• Risk factors for migraines include stress, a family history of migraines and changes in sleeping habits. Children also have an increased risk of developing migraines if they eat foods or drink beverages that contain caffeine, chocolate, tyramine (a natural amine in animal products) or sodium nitrate.

Symptoms

• Children with frequent migraines often experience severe headaches, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, light sensitivity, an increase in urination and excessive thirst. They also may suffer from motion sickness and sleepwalking.

Diagnosis

• To diagnose migraines, a physician looks at a child's symptoms and tries to rule out other possible causes of frequent headaches. Sometimes a doctor performs a computerized tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan to look for irregularities in the brain.

Treatment

• Children with frequent migraines need to stay hydrated, stay in a dark room and/or put cold washcloths on their heads when they experience severe headaches. The Mayo Clinic states that doctors sometimes prescribe drugs, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications or butalbital and acetaminophen combinations, for children with frequent migraines.