Managing Headaches And Migraines In Children

Children get headaches and migraines too. In fact, 20% of adults who suffer from
headaches say their headaches started before age 10.


If as an adult, you have ever had a migraine or suffered a really bad headache, you know what it feels like. Now imagine a child having to go through that same feeling.

Causes
Most children who have migraines have an immediate family member who also suffers from them or who did in childhood.

Some migraine triggers include loud noise, stress, change in sleep pattern, beverages and certain foods.

Symptoms
Children with migraines tend to complain of sensitivity to light and sound, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and sweating. Some of them also experience an aura, such as blurry vision, flashing lights and colored spots before the headache.

Treatment

• Talk to a doctor: This is to ascertain the type of headache and also to find if there is an underlying cause. Your child's doctor will also prescribe an appropriate medication.
• Stress Management: it is important for kids and their parents to identify what causes or triggers the headaches. Then they can learn ways to cope or remove the stressful activities or events.
• Check Nutritional Deficiencies: Certain supplements like riboflavin or coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) can help if your child is deficient. Magnesium may also prevent a migraine, but you should talk to your child’s doctor first.
• Sleep: Getting enough sleep is also an important way for children to ward off a migraine.