There are certain things which you should need to know about Migraine Pain in kids and teens.
If you’ve had a migraine before, you know just how debilitating they can be, and it’s horrible to watch your child go through this intense pain. While many people don’t get migraines until they are an adult, there are plenty of people who start getting them as children and continue to get them throughout their life.
Here’s what you need to know about migraines in kids and teens so that you can help your child through them.
1. Migraine Symptoms To Watch For
If your child has never had a migraine before, they may not actually know what these intense symptoms are. In fact, many adults don’t realize the difference between a headache and a migraine. It’s important for you as a parent to know the symptoms so you can help your child right when they start to happen. Here are the most common symptoms of migraines in kids.
- Intense head pain is the biggest symptom of a migraine. The pain you experience in a migraine is going to be much more intense than a typical headache, and it can make it hard to focus on virtually anything else while the pain is persisting.
- Auras and sensitivity to light are another defining feature of migraines. One of the defining features of a migraine is the presence of an aura, which is a flashing light or blind spot that persists in one or both eyes. This is accompanied by an intense sensitivity to bright lights.
- Nausea and vomiting are often present in the most intense migraines. The pain and sensory symptoms of a migraine are so intense that they can upset the stomach.
- Irritability and depression can also be present in children who experience frequent migraines. This is unsurprising since migraines can make it difficult to maintain a consistent routine.
2. What Causes Migraines in Kids
It’s very common for migraines to run in the family, so if you or your spouse get migraines, it’s important to keep an eye out for them in your child. There are also a variety of things that can trigger migraines in children. It’s important to know these triggers so that you can help your child prevent migraines.
- Stress is a big factor in migraines, even for young children. You might notice that your child is more likely to get a migraine on the day of a big test or if they are stressed out about friends.
- A lack of sleep can also trigger migraines for kids, just as they can in adults.
- Dehydration and poor nutrition are both common causes of migraines as well. Your child needs to make sure to eat enough, but also to avoid overeating junk food, which can also trigger a migraine.
- If you have a teenage girl, you might notice that she’s more prone to migraines around her period. This is because migraines are directly related to hormonal changes in the brain.
- If your child is straining their eyes to see the board or is spending too much time in front of a screen, they could get migraines from the excess stress they are putting on their eyes. If your child needs vision correction, make sure they have it available to them.
