Migraine in children
There are 3 kinds of causes: first, changes in the surroundings or environment of the child; second, changes in physiology or the functioning of the child’s body, and third, psychological reasons, related to how the child’s mind works.
Sudden changes in weather, such as drenching rain or very bright sunshine is one kind of environmental trigger for a migraine attack in a child. An airplane journey from a place at sea place to a destination high up in the mountains, results in a sudden change of altitude, and this can be another cause of migraine. Foods that contain certain chemicals can also make a child react by way of a migraine episode. Chocolate, cheese, fermented dishes; pickles, some citrus foods and cured meat are known to cause migraine in some children. Other children may react to extremes of temperature. Toxic fumes in a bus, garage or in a room of smokers can bring about migraine in a child, as can loud noise, bright, flashing lights and strong odors, including pleasant ones such as perfume.
The child’s body is a beehive of activity all the time, with many different systems and organs at work in a coordinated way. Changes in this system of functioning or Physiology, are common causes of migraine attacks in children. Teenage girls are especially vulnerable, as migraine can occur during the ovulation phase of menses. Children with unusual sleep patterns are vulnerable to migraine headaches. The habit of sleeping late or of studying late into the night can both cause attacks. A change of pace as between a holiday and a day for school can also bring on an attack. Excessive mental strain as during a test or sudden bursts of physical strain as during a sports meet, are common causes of migraine attacks. Children need to eat at regular intervals in an orderly fashion. A rushed breakfast or worse, skipping breakfast to reach school in time, can bring on an attack.
The third set of reasons for migraine in children can be the most difficult to identify as they lie buried deep in the mind. Children can suffer from fear, anxiety and depression. Rebellious teenagers may have repressed anger at authority and establishment. Any of these feelings may be the root cause for repeated episodes of migraine, even when environmental and physiological causes have been eliminated. This may require a formal mental health assessment for proper diagnosis. A secure family and school environment with frequent and close dialogue between parents and their children can help to identify and then remove psychological cause of migraine. It may be useful to revisit the goals that the child has set or that others have set for the child, and ensure that such aims are feasible and within the child’s capabilities.
The causes of migraine in children are numerous and varied. Some children may be genetically disposed to a highly excitable nervous system. They respond to external and internal stimuli in a very individual manner. Hence the cause of migraine in one child may have no relevance for another patient. It is therefore necessary to maintain a diary and record the situation in which migraine occurs, the duration, frequency and severity of attacks and the patterns they follow. It may take several visits to a doctor and a process of elimination, before the diary reveals the true cause for migraine attacks in a particular child.
You can make a post here or email in confidence to drsbanerji@gmail.com for more information or for help in a specific case.
Sudden changes in weather, such as drenching rain or very bright sunshine is one kind of environmental trigger for a migraine attack in a child. An airplane journey from a place at sea place to a destination high up in the mountains, results in a sudden change of altitude, and this can be another cause of migraine. Foods that contain certain chemicals can also make a child react by way of a migraine episode. Chocolate, cheese, fermented dishes; pickles, some citrus foods and cured meat are known to cause migraine in some children. Other children may react to extremes of temperature. Toxic fumes in a bus, garage or in a room of smokers can bring about migraine in a child, as can loud noise, bright, flashing lights and strong odors, including pleasant ones such as perfume.
The child’s body is a beehive of activity all the time, with many different systems and organs at work in a coordinated way. Changes in this system of functioning or Physiology, are common causes of migraine attacks in children. Teenage girls are especially vulnerable, as migraine can occur during the ovulation phase of menses. Children with unusual sleep patterns are vulnerable to migraine headaches. The habit of sleeping late or of studying late into the night can both cause attacks. A change of pace as between a holiday and a day for school can also bring on an attack. Excessive mental strain as during a test or sudden bursts of physical strain as during a sports meet, are common causes of migraine attacks. Children need to eat at regular intervals in an orderly fashion. A rushed breakfast or worse, skipping breakfast to reach school in time, can bring on an attack.
The third set of reasons for migraine in children can be the most difficult to identify as they lie buried deep in the mind. Children can suffer from fear, anxiety and depression. Rebellious teenagers may have repressed anger at authority and establishment. Any of these feelings may be the root cause for repeated episodes of migraine, even when environmental and physiological causes have been eliminated. This may require a formal mental health assessment for proper diagnosis. A secure family and school environment with frequent and close dialogue between parents and their children can help to identify and then remove psychological cause of migraine. It may be useful to revisit the goals that the child has set or that others have set for the child, and ensure that such aims are feasible and within the child’s capabilities.
The causes of migraine in children are numerous and varied. Some children may be genetically disposed to a highly excitable nervous system. They respond to external and internal stimuli in a very individual manner. Hence the cause of migraine in one child may have no relevance for another patient. It is therefore necessary to maintain a diary and record the situation in which migraine occurs, the duration, frequency and severity of attacks and the patterns they follow. It may take several visits to a doctor and a process of elimination, before the diary reveals the true cause for migraine attacks in a particular child.
You can make a post here or email in confidence to drsbanerji@gmail.com for more information or for help in a specific case.
posted by Dr. S. Banerji | 10:00 PM
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