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Migraine headaches are quite common among children. They typically report a throbbing, severe pain. The suffering can last as long as 2 to 48 hours. Migraine headaches in children may be classified broadly as common migraines and classic migraines. It is believed that as many as 5% to 25% of kids have periodic migraines. There are several theories including the vascular theory, mutation of genes, sterile inflammation process, mitochondrial dysfunctions, changes in serotonin levels, nitrous oxide, and cortical-spreading depression. Certain other things that can cause migraines in children are intense smells, changing their changes in altitude, changing their sleep cycles, deafening noises, powerful glaring lights, and fasting, intense physical activities. Some foods, too, can bring on migraine headaches in children such as canned, aged, or processed foods, cheese, artificial sweeteners, caffeine, chocolates, pickled and marinated foods, and those including MSG (mono sodium glutamate). Subcategories of migraines are named Status Migrainosus, Ophthalmoplegic Migraine, Familia Hemiplegic Migraine, Migraine-Associated Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome, and Acephalic Migraine of Childhood. There are four stages of migraine: the prodrome, the aura, the pain, and the postdrome phases. Prodrome: This stage is when classic symptoms of the migraine occur, usually several hours in advance of onset of a migraine headache and perhaps even 48 hours in advance. The child complains of light and sound sensitivity, alterations occur in their dietary pattern, and they may feel drained, are irritable and depressed. Aura: This phase is seen only in those who suffer from classic migraine. The children complain of seeing auras, which can be positive or negative auras. An aura is experienced as seeing shimmering lights, shapes, and zigzag lines, termed a positive aura or as experiencing tunnel vision, dark holes, blind spots, called a negative aura. Some children may experience a combination of both aura types. The aura usually occurs half an hour before a migraine headache and lasts for about 10 to 30 minutes. During the aura phase, the child may experience trouble speaking, feel tingling in their hands and legs, have loss of focus, amnesia, dizziness, increased clumsiness and may feel disoriented. Pain: The child suffers agonizing pain and may lose their color and be ill during an attack. They could experience throbbing on one half of the head, in the brow, or over their entire head during this phase. The pain gets worse as a result of movement. Their face tingles and they may complain of being cold, feel numb, are very light and sound sensitive, and have nausea. Aversion to eating, heavy sweating, loose stools/constipation, vomiting, aversion to odors, and loss of coordination are other common experiences. Postdrome: The pain and other symptoms go away leaving the child feeling feeble, drained, and wiped-out, often for as much as 2 days. Parents can help by seeing to it that the child sleeps well, eats a healthy diet, exercises properly and avoids known triggers, like any food items that may cause an attack. Click here for more information on common migraine food triggers. Doctors usually prescribe prophylactic medicines such as, amitriptyline and propranolol, which many parents do not like because of fears of rebound headaches. Herbs such as feverfew, butter root, ginger, gingko and valerian root juices, and ginger tea are said to be effective. Biofeedback therapy, exercise and nutritional supplements including vitamin B2, meditation, aromatherapy, yoga, and relaxation therapy are also effective in cutting occurrences of migraine headaches in children by 50%. The child can rest in a cool, dark room that is as noise-free as possible. A wet cloth or an ice pack can be used, too. Make sure that the child recognizes the symptoms and takes medications that are prescribed by the doctor. If parents and children learn the symptoms and learn to identify triggers, they can cut the occurrence of migraines in half or more.
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