Understanding migraine in children

Childhood migraine: specific symptoms

In children, this disease affects boys more often than girls and it causes pain on both sides of the head or the entire surface of the skull. “It hits the head. “. The child feels like ‘it’s banging in his head’ and the pain is even more severe if he lowers his head, sneezes or jumps, for example.

Vomiting, abdominal migraine… Complementary symptoms.

In some children, migraine may also only result in digestive disorders to abdominal pain. The little migraine sufferer has a heartache, stomach ache, he may have nausea, cannot stand the light or the noise. More rarely, he sees in a distorted way or spots appear in front of his eyes. Migraine attacks in children will also have regular recurrences. Migraine attacks usually last less than 2 hours, but the same symptoms reappear, depending on the case, every week or every fortnight? Each time, the crisis sets in in the same way: the child suddenly looks tired, he turns pale, buries his head in his arms, becomes irritable.

At what age can a child have a migraine?

If there is not really an age threshold for migraines in children, they appear most often from the age of three. However, it can be more difficult to detect migraines because the child may have difficulty defining the symptoms correctly.

Childhood headaches: a genetic origin

60 to 70% of children with migraine have a parent or grandparent who suffers from it.

An abnormality of neurons. Migraine in children is the result of a genetic defect in the membranes that surround the neurons in the brain. The serotonin, a substance that allows nerve cells to transmit their messages, causes blood vessels to dilate and contract abnormally. It is this alternation of contractions and dilations that causes the sensation of pain.

Triggering factors. A sudden exertion, an infection (nasopharyngitis, otitis), stress, lack of sleep, anxiety or even a big annoyance can also trigger a migraine attack.

When to worry about a headache in children?

If migraines are Frequently et intense, it is essential to see a doctor to make sure that it is indeed migraines and not of headaches due to an infection or a shock for example.

How to diagnose headaches in children?

To confirm his diagnosis, the doctor makes his physical examination, then check the child’s reflexes, his walking, his balance, his vision and his attention. If everything is normal, it is a migraine.

Targeted questions. The doctor also questions the child and his parents to try to identify all the factors that promote the onset of migraines: excessive heat, sporting activity, severe anger, television?

How to relieve a headache in children? What treatments?

The doctor usually prescribes ibuprofen or paracetamol against pain and possibly a antiemetic which acts against vomiting. In the most serious forms, from the age of 3 years, a drug against vertigo can be added to it to be taken as a basic treatment for three months. If the seizures are repeated and are very important, he will refer his little patient to a specialist. While waiting for the drugs to work, and at the first signs, the child should be laid down in the dark, in a quiet room, with a damp cloth on his forehead. He needs calm, in order to fall asleep. Combined with drugs, sleep is indeed very effective in stopping the crisis.