Children get migraine headaches, too. Over 8 million children and adolescents have migraines which result in over 1 million lost school days each year. Before puberty, as many boys as girls get these headaches, but after puberty, migraine is more common in girls. Migraines often stop as children grow to adulthood, but may return in middle age.
Physicians look for slightly different symptoms to diagnose migraine in children. In some cases, certain recurrent, or cyclical, medical conditions � such as vomiting, abdominal pain, or dizzy spells � are thought to be forms of juvenile migraine.
Younger children usually feel migraine pain on both sides of the hea, while older children tend to feel it on one side only. Fortunately, attacks are usually shorter in children than adults. The most commonly related symptoms in children are nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, increased urination, sweating, thirst, swelling, and tearing. Visual "auras" may not be as common in children as in adults.
MIGRAINE TREATMENT IN CHILDREN
Often migraine headaches improve within a year even without treatment. As in adults, identifying and avoiding provoking factors or triggers may help. Your physicians may recommend maintaining a regular bedtime and meal schedule for your child, and avoiding an overload of activities. Non-drug treatments, such as biofeedback and relaxation techniques, are especially recommended for children and adolescents, who often are more enthusiastic about such approaches than adults.
If drug treatment is needed, your physician will start with simple analgesics. Combination analgesics used in adults are given at lower doses. Depending on the frequency, duration, and intensity of the headaches, and your child's response to simple analgesics, preventive drugs may also be included in the treatment plan. Many drugs used for adults may also be prescribed for children. The antihistamine drug, cyproheptadine, is often used. This drug is sold under the brand name Periactin and is taken in tablet or syrup form, usually every 8 to 12 hours, as needed. Possible side effects include drowsiness and weight gain.
STEPS TO BETTER HEADACHE CARE
Keep a diary. In it, write down:
The date and time each headache begins and its duration.
Any other signs of migraine, such as nausea; vomiting; sensitivity to light, sound or smell; or aura.
Any "triggers" that may have brought on the attack.
For women, the beginning date of menstrual period.
With this information, your physician will be able to see patterns of your headaches, and recommend treatments that can help.
Ask a relative or friend to help you look for symptoms that may occur before your headaches. These early warning symptoms may occur anywhere from a few hours to a few days before the headache pain starts. These symptoms can take many forms, including hunger; thirst; yawning; fatigue; depression (sadness); euphoria (unusual happiness); irritability; restlessness; drowsiness; sensitivity to light or sound; stiff neck; a cold feeling; increased urination; diarrhea; constipation; and bloating.
Have at least one dose of your medicine with you all the time. Take your prescribed medication as directed for an attack.
Take drugs only as recommended by your physician. Do not use them more often or in higher doses than your physician advises. Do not stop taking them without checking with your physician. Some drugs must be stopped gradually to prevent unwanted side effects.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible � unless it is almost time for your next dose. In that case, skip the missed dose. Do not double doses.
After taking medicine for a headache, lie down in a dark, quiet room until the pain begins to improve.
Remember that you and your physician are partners in your care. It's up to you to follow your physician's advice, and to make any recommended lifestyle changes that may help to control your headaches.
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