migraine in children

Migraine in Children

There are no exact figures for the number of children who suffer from migraine in the UK, but we do know that at least 50% of sufferers actually start with it before the age of 20. Also, 70% of children developing migraine will have a close relative with the condition, and over 6 million females suffer from migraine!

Symptoms
A `classic' migraine attack is far more than just a severe headache! The attack starts with a warning, called an aura, which affects the vision producing flashing lights, 'zig zag' lines, or even partial loss of vision. This is followed by a severe, one sided, throbbing headache, lasting anything between 2 hours to 2 days. There is often nausea and vomiting, and bright lights and noise become unbearable. Diarrhoea or constipation may also occur.

Some sufferers experience symptoms before the aura occurs, known as a `pre aura,' such as excessive yawning, mood changes or intense cravings for certain foods!

Symptoms in children
However, in children, there exists a form of `abdominal migraine', in which the child suffers repeated attacks of abdominal pain sometimes associated with vomiting and maybe diarrhoea. Often there there is no obvious cause, and some children have even had to undergo abdominal surgery to no avail!! This type of condition obviously neccessitates a specilialist's opnion!

In total, there are over 8 million migraine sufferers in the UK. Women and young girls are three times more likely to suffer from migraine than men and boys, and it can be especially troublesome in the few days before and after a period. Nearly 80% of females lose their migraine during pregnancy, a rather drastic cure!

As already mentioned migraine commonly starts early in life, and rarely begins after the age of 50.
* Many famous people have suffered from migraine including Julius Caesar, Abraham Lincoln, Tchaikovsky and Chopin.

Migraine triggers
Migraine results from a disturbance of the circulation through the brain's blood vessels, and many different `triggers' set off an attack:
*chocolate
*cheese
*shellfish
*fried food
*citrus fruits especially oranges
*crisps
*sausages
*tinned meat

Children prone to migraine must try to avoid chocolate, fried food (fish and chips!) oranges and all the vast selections of crisps currently available. Tinned fish and monosodium glutamate, which is frequently used as a `taste enhancer' in chinese foods are also well known triggers of migraine attacks.

Other `triggers' are:
*red wine
*tobacco smoke
*loud noise
*flickering and bright lights
*strong smells
*missing meals
*oversleeping
*periods
*the 'pill'
*stress
*excitement
*dental problems
*arthritis of the jaw joint

Treatment and management
Obviously, sufferers should avoid their specific `triggers'.Mild attacks can be stopped by taking either 2 soluble paracetamol (depending on the age of the sufferer), or 3 soluble aspirin as early as possible in the attack, followed by rest somewhere quiet and dark. Sleep helps most migraines to clear. Aspirin should be avoided by any one with an ulcer, indigestion sufferers, and all children under the age of 12 yrs, as it can cause a serious condition called `Reye's Syndrome'.

There are several useful treatments that can bought over the counter at you local pharmacy such as `Migraleve', but many of these are not recommened for children under the age of 10yrs, so do check with your pharmacist or GP before starting your child on any treatment for their migraine.

Prescription drugs such as 'Maxolon' or 'Motilium' which can be used to clear the nausea, can only be used in adults and never in children.

Frequently recurring migraines can be prevented by using a daily treatment such as the preventive drug 'Sanomigran' which is taken every night and can be used by children and teenagers.

The latest treatment, a prescription drug called `Imigran', which has been very effective in adults, and is available as an injection or tablet form, is unfortunatly not recommended for use in children.

Further information can be found at:The Migraine Trust http://www.migrainetrust.org.uk
IMPORTANT NOTICE : This content is from the Dr Chris Steele personal archive and is provided for convenience only. Information contained here may no longer agree with the most up to date medical advice. Please check with a medical professional before taking any action.

More like this
Women's Health
Men's Health
Babies and Children
Illnesses
Use this page



Privacy Terms | Advertisers | Legal Disclaimer | Contact
© 2007 TheFamilyGP.com