About Migraines in Children
The pains of a migraine affect even little children. Migraines commonly strike children, causing the same pounding head pain, nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to bright lights and loud sounds that adults experience. No one wants to see a child suffering in pain, so it's important to figure out what causes a child's migraine and try to avoid those triggers of terrible headache pain.
Foods
A number of foods are known to trigger migraine headaches, particularly processed meats and cheeses, caffeine and chocolate. Certain ingredients in these foods--like nitrates, a chemical called tyramine and MSG--are all known to cause migraines, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Keep a diary of your child's migraines and the foods she ate that day. This way, you can discover if there's a connection between a particular food and the onset of migraine headaches.
Changes in Sleep
Any change in a child's regular sleep routine can trigger migraine headaches. Sleeping more than usual or not getting enough sleep can be a cause of migraines, according to Children's Mercy Hospitals & Clinics. Going to bed too late or sleeping in too long can be enough of a change from the sleep routine to lead to a painful migraine, so make sure your child sticks to a regular sleep schedule. That means a consistent amount of sleep each night and consistent naps if needed.
Stress and Major Life Changes
Just like adults, stress and major changes in life can affect a child physically, resulting in migraines. Whether there's stress due to a family problem at home or difficulties at school, stress can be a major migraine trigger. Significant changes to your child's life--a new school, a move, a death in the family or a divorce--can also be the cause behind migraine pain.
Overexertion
Straining to concentrate on schoolwork, a book or a project can cause a migraine headache. And although exercise is great for children's health, playing too hard and overexerting themselves can actually trigger a migraine headache. If your child doesn't drink enough water and becomes dehydrated, a migraine can result.
