Migraines in Children: Signs, Triggers & Treatments Parents Should Know
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Migraines strike about 10% of children between the ages of 5-15, a number that's nowhere near what most parents expect. Kids with migraines miss twice as many school days as their classmates, which substantially affects their education and everyday activities.
These painful episodes manifest differently in children than in adults, leading to frequent misdiagnosis. The pain can start at a surprisingly young age - half of all migraine sufferers experience their first attack before turning 12. Genetics plays a crucial role. A child's risk of developing migraines reaches 50% if one parent suffers from them. The likelihood climbs to almost 90% when both parents have the condition.
Some kids can go through cycles of intense nausea and throwing up tied to migraines. This condition is called Cyclical Migraine Vomiting. These episodes tend to follow a pattern that happens again and again. They might last several hours or even a few days. Symptoms might also bring headaches, tiredness, or trouble with bright lights.
Parents must spot their child's unique migraine symptoms and understand the mechanisms behind them to provide appropriate care. This article covers migraine identification in children, common triggers that set them off, treatments that work, and the right time to ask for medical help.
How to Identify Migraines in Kids
Children experience migraines differently from adults. Their pain usually occurs on both sides of the head instead of one side. The pain lasts between 2 hours to 3 days and typically affects the front of the head. Young children who cannot explain their pain might rock back and forth.
Difference Between Headaches and Migraines
Feature | Migraines | Regular Headaches |
|---|---|---|
Pain Type | Throbbing, pulsating | Steady, band-like pressure |
Duration | 2 hours to 3 days | Usually shorter |
Activity Impact | The child stops activities and needs rest | The child continues normal activities despite pain |
Additional Symptoms | Nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light and sound | A few other symptoms |
Location | Children usually feel pain on both sides | Pain spreads across the whole head |
Triggers for Paediatric Migraines
School or family stress
Poor sleep quality or irregular sleep patterns
Missing meals and low blood sugar
Not drinking enough water
Specific foods like processed meats, aged cheese, and chocolate
MSG and artificial sweeteners in food
Changes in weather and air pressure
Extended screen time and bad posture
Diagnosis: What Tests Are Needed?
Complete headache history and physical exam
Tests for movement and coordination through a neurological exam
Blood tests if needed to check other conditions
MRI scans are preferred over CT when imaging becomes necessary
Doctors make a diagnosis based on your symptoms as no specific test exists
Treatment: Medications vs Natural Remedies
Medications:
Pain relievers available over-the-counter (ibuprofen, naproxen)
Triptans for moderate-severe attacks
Prevention medications for frequent episodes
Natural Remedies:
Magnesium supplements that may reduce the frequency
Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) supplements
Pain management through biofeedback training
Coenzyme Q10 supplements
Muscle tension relief through massage therapy
Lifestyle Adjustments to Reduce Frequency:
Sleep 8-10 hours each night regularly
Regularise your mealtimes
Daily water intake of 8-12 glasses
Regular exercise for at least 30-60 minutes on most days
Stress reduction through relaxation methods
Reduced screen time with better posture
Awareness and avoidance of personal food triggers
When to Visit a Paediatric Neurologist
Visit your doctor if your child has:
Headaches occur more than twice weekly
Pain disrupts sleep
Headaches with fever or neck stiffness
Changes in vision, weakness, or numbness
Headaches after head injury
Continuous vomiting with headache
Personality changes or confusion
Headaches that get worse over time
Conclusion
Migraines affect many children's lives a lot, but parents often miss the signs because childhood migraines look different from adult ones. Children usually feel pain on both sides of their head instead of one side. They might find it hard to describe what they're feeling.
Parents should know how migraines differ from regular headaches. Migraine pain throbs and stops kids from doing normal activities. Regular headaches cause steady pressure that children can usually handle. The child might feel sick, throw up, and become sensitive to light or sound during a migraine.
Taking care of childhood migraines needs an integrated approach. Parents should find what triggers their child's migraines - like stress, lack of sleep, or certain foods. They can help their child feel better through the right medicine and natural treatments like magnesium supplements or biofeedback training.
Basic lifestyle changes can reduce migraines a lot. Kids who sleep and eat at regular times, drink enough water, and learn to handle stress get fewer and less severe migraines.
Most childhood migraines can be handled at home, but some signs mean you just need to see a doctor. Take your child to the doctor right away if headaches wake them up, come with fever, or make them throw up often.
Learning about migraines equips parents to help their children better. Most children with migraines can live normal, active lives with the right care, trigger management, and treatment.
FAQs
At what age can children start getting migraines?
Children can experience migraines at a remarkably young age. Medical records show migraines in children as young as 18 months. Migraines typically start during early childhood. The condition affects nearly 20% of teens.
How can I tell if my child's headache is a migraine?
Watch for these signs:
Throbbing or pounding head pain
Your child stops activities and wants to sleep
Noticeable paleness and irritability
Nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain
Discomfort from light, sound, or smell
Pain gets better with sleep
Are migraines in children different from those in adults?
Yes. Children experience shorter and milder migraines than adults. The pain usually affects both sides of their head rather than just one side. Children also tend to feel more dizzy, have stomach pain, and sweat. Sleep often helps improve their symptoms.
Can diet affect migraines in children?
Absolutely. Research shows many children link specific foods to their migraines. Common triggers include:
Chocolate and caffeine
Aged cheeses and processed meats
Citrus fruits
Artificial sweeteners and MSG
Missing meals
What is the best way to manage migraines in kids?
A combination of strategies works best. Start by treating migraines early with suitable pain relief. Help prevent attacks through regular sleep schedules, consistent meals, plenty of water, and stress management. A headache diary helps identify personal triggers. Parents should talk to their doctor about preventive medications if migraines happen frequently.
