Headaches in children have occurred as early as age, its more common in girls. Genetics sometimes runs in families, may be triggered by certain foods, fumes, and perfume. Migraine is a significant cause of headaches in children’s particularly girls, and by the age of 15 about 1 in 20 children’s has experienced an attack. The condition is known to occur in children as young as 2 years. However, childhood migraine often differs from migraine experienced by adults, and the disorder can sometimes be difficult to recognize. In younger children, the symptoms of migraine frequently include recurrent episodes of abdominal pain, and the one sides headaches and nausea that are typical of the condition in adults may not occurs.
What are the causes?
Why some children develop migraine is not fully understood, but the condition sometimes runs in families, which suggests that genetic factors may be involved. Migraine is thought to be due to changes in the blood flow through the blood vessels inside the skull. There may also be temporary alterations in chemicals in the brain,
Which are probably responsible for triggering some of the symptoms elsewhere in the body. Certain substances are known to trigger attacks of migraine. These include food, commonly chocolate. Cheese, citrus fruits, and red wine, and inhaled substances such as perfume, gasoline fumes and tobacco smoke.
What are the symptoms?
In children under age 8, the symptoms of migraine may not include headache. Symptoms develop gradually over a few hours, and a child may experience.
Pain in the centre of the abdomen, pale skin, fatigue, vomiting.
Often, these symptoms persist for several days, if children continue to have attacks of migraine as they grow older; they are likely to have symptoms more similar to those experienced by adults. These symptoms develop over a few hours and may include.
Visual disturbances such as seeing flashing lights.
Headaches on one or both sides. Nausea and vomiting dislike of bright lights. Rarely, a child may experience temporally weakness in one arm or leg.
What might be done?
Your children’s doctor may be able to diagnose migraine from the symptoms. Occasionally, he or she may arrange from tests, such as CT scanning or MRI of the head, or in young children, ultrasound scanning of the abdomen to exclude other disorders. Resting quietly in bed in a darkened room may help your child feel better. Analgesics will also help relieve a headaches or abdominal pain.