Children and Headaches
Headaches are a frequent childhood malady. Of adults who suffer from persistent headaches, as many as 20 percent began experiencing them as children--before the age of 10, according to the American Headache Society. Migraines are very severe headaches that can cause nausea and sensitivity to bright lights and loud sounds. The American Headache Society estimates that migraine headaches affect up to 10 percent of children and may occur even as early as infancy. There are a number of causes and triggers of migraines in children, just as there are of migraines in adults.
Food Migraine Triggers
Many of the foods that trigger migraine headaches in adults also trigger them in children. Processed or aged meats and cheeses are common triggers--and popular foods for children. Sausage, hot dogs and bologna are often well-liked by children, but common migraine triggers. Chemicals in these foods, such as tyramine, are often the true triggers behind migraines in children. Other foods and chemicals known to trigger migraines in children include caffeine, the artificial sweetener aspartame, sulfites and nitrites.
Cold Foods
There is such a thing as an ice cream headache--and it's not just a "brain freeze." If your child complains of a pounding headache developing while eating a bowl of ice cream or his favorite ice cream cone, the coldness of the treat could be behind it. It's thought that the sensation of the cold in the throat and mouth causes blood vessels in the head to tighten, which can cause a migraine headache.
Food Allergies
Allergies to certain foods commonly trigger migraines, particularly in children. The most common food allergies linked to migraines include wheat, chocolate, cheese, cow's milk, eggs and oranges.
Behaviors
What your child does during the day can trigger a migraine headache. If your child misses a meal or snack and goes too long without eating, his head may start to pound. Not getting enough sleep--whether staying up too late at night or missing a nap--can also cause migraine headaches in children. Overstimulation of the senses is another cause of migraines--whether it's a strong smell, a loud sound or a very bright light. If your child plays hard or gets a lot of physical exercise, a migraine may also result.
Emotional Triggers
If your child is feeling anxious or worried about something and complains of headaches, there's likely a connection. Stress is a known migraine trigger, even in young children. Children feeling sad or depressed, as well as children who are run-down and tired, may be likely to suffer from a migraine because of those emotional factors.
