Migraines are often associated with adults, but children can experience them too. Sometimes as early as age two. Yet, because children may struggle to describe their pain or express what they’re experiencing, migraines often go underdiagnosed or misunderstood. In this post, we take a deeper look at migraines in children, including their types, common symptoms and treatment options.

What is a Migraine?

A migraine is not just a bad headache, it’s a neurological condition that causes intense, often throbbing head pain, usually on one side of the head and is frequently accompanied by other symptoms such as nausea, sensitivity to light or sound and even visual disturbances.

In children, migraines can be shorter in duration than in adults but often more intense. They can interfere with school, sleep, play and overall quality of life. 

Types of Migraine in Children

While migraines vary from child to child, there are few common types seen in younger age groups. 

• Migraine Without Aura

This is the most frequent type in children. Symptoms include:

• Moderate to severe head pain
• Nausea or vomiting
• Sensitivity to light or sound
• Lasts from 1 to 72 hours

These migraines come without warning signs, which can make them harder to predict.

• Migraine With Aura

This type is preceded by an aura– a group of neurological symptoms that may occur 10 to 30 minutes before the headache begins. These might include:

• Seeing flashing lights or zigzag patterns
• Numbness or tingling in the face or hands
• Trouble speaking clearly

Auras can be frightening for children who don’t understand what’s happening, especially when vision is affected. 

• Abdominal Migraine

This term migraine is more common in younger children, especially between ages 5 and 9. It mainly affects the stomach, not the head. Symptoms include:

• Intense abdominal pain
• Nausea and vomiting
• Loss of appetite 
• Headache may or may not be present

Children with abdominal migraines often have a family history of migraines and may go on to develop typical migraines as they grow older.

• Vestibular Migraine

This type of migraine causes dizziness, vertigo and balance issues along with or instead of head pain. It is more common in teens and may be mistaken for other inner ear problems. 

Migraine In Children Symptoms

Because children often don’t have the vocabulary to explain complex symptoms, parents should watch for patterns or behaviours like:

• Complaining of head pair on one or both sides
• Wanting to lie in a dark, quiet room
• Avoiding bright lights or loud sounds
• Looking pale or flushed
• Nausea or vomiting, especially without fever 
• Mood changes or irritability before the headache 
• Trouble concentrating in school or during activities

In some cases, younger children may cry, hold their heads or become unusually quiet–subtle signs that something isn’t right. 

What Causes Migraine in Children?

The exact cause isn’t fully understood, but severe triggers and risk factors are known to play a role. Here are some migraine in children causes:

• Children with a parent who has migraine are more likely to have them,
• If you are stressed because of school pressure, social issues or family stress 
• Skipping meals, dehydration or having food like chocolate, cheese or processed meats
• Sleep disruption, either too little or too much sleep

Hormonal changes, especially around puberty in girls

Treatment: Managing The Pain And The Triggers

Migraine treatment in children involves a mix of lifestyle changes, pain, relief and preventive medications.

• Acute Treatment

Pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen, rest in a quiet, dark room, and cool compresses on the forehead also help to treat migraine and drinking water if the child can tolerate it. Some older children may be prescribed migraine-specific medications like triptans but only under medical supervision. 

• Preventive Treatment

If migraines are frequent or severe, a doctor might suggest daily preventive medications under close supervision, supplements like magnesium or riboflavin if recommended. Cognitive behavioural therapy is done for managing stress, biofeedback or relaxation techniques, and regular exercises with good sleep hygiene will help to treat migraine. 

To Treat the Problem of Migraine, Visit Jhawar Neuro Hospital 

Your brain deserves expert care. We specialise in the diagnosis, treatment and long-term care of complex neurological conditions. From migraine and epilepsy to stroke, our experienced team of neurologists, neurosurgeons, and rehabilitation specialists provide advanced, patient-centred care at every stage. Contact Jhawar Neuro Hospital for the best treatment.