While most people think of migraines as being something only adults struggle with, kids can experience them as well. If your child has had a migraine, you will need to get as much information as possible on this topic. The more you learn about child migraines, the easier it will be to get your child the help they need. Migraines can be extremely painful and even debilitating, especially if they are left untreated.

More Common Than You Might Think

Approximately 70% of school children get a headache at some point at least once a year. Although most of these cases are just normal headaches, some children actually get a full-on migraine. There was a study found that about 40% of children experienced headaches less frequently by the time they reached their early 20s. This is usually a problem that resolves itself, but you simply cannot be too careful.

How Children’s Migraines Are Unique

The migraine symptoms that children experience are actually quite a bit different to what adults deal with. Children are more likely to experience what is known as an abdominal migraine, which can lead to nausea and vomiting. These kinds of migraines usually appear in children aged five to nine, although older kids can experience them too. Sometimes, colic in infants can lead to these migraines, which can be very serious for a number of reasons. Children who get migraines also experience some of the same symptoms as adults, including light sensitivity, dizziness, and fatigue.

Treating Your Child’s Migraines

It is crucial that you find a migraine treatment that works for your child. There are many different treatment options that you will have to choose from, but you don’t want to try just any of them. The first thing you want to do is make an appointment with your pediatrician. Your doctor will most likely be able to prescribe a medication that your child can take. There are medications that can be taken regularly to prevent migraines, and some of them are effective even for children.

Identifying Triggers

Migraines can be extremely unpredictable, but there are usually certain triggers that you can identify to help prevent attacks. By setting up a regular routine for your child to follow each day, there is less of a chance that they will get migraines as often. Everyone who gets migraine headaches has various triggers, and it is crucial that you identify your child’s. A lot of people, including children, get migraines if their regular sleep schedule is disturbed for some reason. Dehydration is another trigger for migraines, which is why it’s so important that your child drinks plenty of water on a daily basis.

Child migraines are more common than most people think, and they can make a child’s life very difficult. If you have discovered that your child has this particular problem, you will need to make a point of doing the necessary research to help them, so they can lead a full and happy life.