How to deal with migraines in kids

How to deal with migraines in kids

Headaches are not confined to adults. Headaches are becoming extremely common in kids and teenagers too. The headaches, which little children experience, are quite similar to the ones experienced by adults. You do not have to panic when your child says he is suffering from headache thinking about the worst scenarios. Just remain calm and find out what exactly is triggering these headaches.

What triggers migraines in kids?
The precise cause of migraines in kids is not clear. A lot of these attacks are normally caused by a non-permanent deficiency of a chemical in the brain called serotonin. Apart from this, migraines are also triggered when children eat some specific food like chocolates, any and all kinds of nuts, shellfish, Chinese food, cheese, caffeine, and any kind of sugary food.

Symptoms of migraine attacks in children
Majority of children experience the numerous symptoms and signs which are an indication of migraine. These are stomach cramping, nausea, vomiting, sensitiveness to light and sound, extreme fatigue and sleepiness, extremely swollen nasal passages, thirst, and dark circles beneath eyes along with paleness. Most kids sleep off within one hour of the commencement of the attack.

Treatment for migraine in children
There are a lot of treatment options for children and your doctor will be the best person who will be able to advise you in this regard. It includes:
• Tracking symptoms: Firstly, one requires to notice and keep track of the diet your child is having and finding out whether foods trigger these attacks, and if they do so, then which foods.
• Managing stress: Even tension can trigger migraines in kids. Unhealthy sleep patterns, not eating proper meals on time or any school issues also may be triggering stress.
• Biofeedback: This utilizes sensors that can be connected to your kid’s body to assess how the child’s system reacts to headaches, like alterations in pulse rate, muscle tension, temperature, activity of the brain and stressful conditions. This is very helpful in coming up with a diagnosis.
• Medicines: Most medications that are prescribed to treat adults are ok for children if given in smaller doses. However, make sure that you steer clear of aspirin if your child is below nineteen years of age. There are a number of safe drugs that can be administered for migraine that have been found to be effective to reduce pain and the uneasiness that these children experience. Your doctor will be the best person to know what suits your child the best.