What are migraines?
A migraine is the most common type of primary headache in children. This means that the headache happens on its own and not as a result of some other cause like trauma or infection. Migraines tend to run in families and can be mild or severe. Migraines can stop a child in their tracks making them unable to go to school or play. They usually last 1 to 2 hours.
A migraine headache tends to be throbbing, can be located in one specific spot, and gets worse with running around. Sometimes, symptoms can occur before the headache starts that let your child know the headache is coming. This is called ‘aura.’ Aura most commonly occurs in the form of vision changes.
In addition to a headache other possible associated symptoms include:
Nausea
Eye tearing and redness
Nose running and congestion
Droopy eyelids
Noise and light sensitivity
After the headache goes away, usually children will feel tired or drained and wish to sleep.
How to Treat a Migraine
Treatment of migraines includes:
Prevention
Don’t skip meals
Avoidance of caffeine
Exercise
Get plenty of sleep
Medications
For pain:
Tylenol, ibuprofen, or naproxen
Triptan medication e.g. sumatriptan
For prevention: if migraines occur too often, your child’s doctor might recommend medications to prevent them. Examples include:
Ciproheptidine
Robiflavin
Coenzyme Q10
Anti-seizure medications
Certain blood pressure medications e.g. propanolol
Behavioral therapy can also help with the treatment of migraines.
See a doctor in person if…
Your child experiences worrisome headache symptoms, like:
Sudden and severe pain
Awakens your child from sleep
Associated with fever and neck pain
Located in the back of the head or persistently in one spot
Progressively worse over time
Worse when lying down, coughing, defecating or when active
No improvement with medications
Associated with vision changes or weakness of any part of the body