1. Never Too Young
In one-fifth of children with migraines, the headaches began before five years of age. Boys are more likely than girls to get migraines at a younger age. A migraine is an extreme headache characterized by pain and the need or desire for sleep. It occurs in the front of the head, near the eyes or temple area. About 10 percent of children have migraines.
2. Check Your Symptoms
Migraines cause nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light, sounds, smells and dizziness. Absenteeism rates are high for young migraine sufferers. The ability to function mentally is impaired by the pain causing confusion and memory loss. Elementary aged children have abdominal cramps along with the other symptoms. Preschool aged children cry, rock back and forth and are irritable. No matter what their age, migraine sufferers seek sleep.
3. One, Two, Three Headache
About 24 hours before a migraine begins, sufferers start to feel the onset of the headache. Smaller children feel out of sorts, but don't know why. This is the "prodrome" or premonitory phase. Phase two is the aura or change in vision. This begins around a half hour before the headache and is over in about the same amount of time. The actual headache is phase three. Length ranges from 30 minutes to two to three days. The final stage is "postdrome." The migraine leaves them tired, but for some, the effect is the opposite and they are full of energy. Postdrome ranges from several hours to several days as well.
4. Tell Me Where it Hurts
Children assist their doctors in the diagnosis of their migraines by describing how it feels, where it's located, their symptoms and family history of migraines. Doctors use their medical history and a physical examination to complete their diagnosis. Children may be asked to keep a headache diary to discover triggers. Imaging tests of the brain rule out any other causes.
5. Sleep the Pain Away
The best thing to do for a migraine is sleep. Lie them down in a cool, dark and quiet room with a wet cloth on their forehead. Pay attention to changes in weather. Avoid certain foods like chocolate, caffeine, cheese, nuts and sugar. Eat regularly, exercise and get plenty of rest. Migraines occur when children feel overly tired and stressed. If taken early enough, over-the-counter medications can relieve the pain. Try ibuprofen and acetaminophen.
