Although most parents treat children’s complaints about headaches with some misgivings, thinking that migraines are very rare at this age, the truth is, contrary to popular opinion, that headaches in general and migraines in particular are one of the common symptoms in children. For example, in the age group from 7 to 15 years, the incidence is around 5 percent and a gradual increase in adolescence up to 20 percent.
Headaches and children
Depending on its causes, its frequency, and the intensity of the pain, it can indicate many health problems from just a simple and temporary medical problem to the possibility of a brain tumor, especially the those who suffer from headaches or they occur frequently at short intervals.
Migraines occur as a result of chemical changes in the cerebral cortex (depression of cortical distribution) that lead to the secretion of certain substances that affect the blood vessels in the brain and cause pain.
In children, the type occurs where there are no signs in vision, such as seeing colored spots or a very bright light that is a warning of a headache (Migraine Without Aura). In general, this type is the most common, even in adults. The pain is like a tingling sensation, and it is usually on one side of the face, but it can be anywhere on the forehead.
The pain in children is less severe compared to adults, and the headache usually lasts between one and three hours, but in rare cases it lasts three whole days. In this case, the child has to miss school because physical activity can make the pain worse. Severe nausea and vomiting are the most common symptoms of headaches in children, while abdominal pain and high temperature can also occur.
Signs of pallor and photophobia
Other symptoms include extreme paleness, photophobia and dizziness, as well as an inability to tolerate loud noise and strange sensations in the extremities, such as hot, cold or numbness (paresthesia), in 90 percent of the affected children.
It was noted that there was a positive family history of the disease, especially on the mother’s side, so care must be taken when diagnosing migraine. Without a good family history, it can be a bad cause, and it is often linked to certain things that can create the way for it to happen, such as the period before the menstrual cycle. their daughters, and sometimes before adoption, and gradually after continuous exercise, and after mood swings, anxiety, and smells.
There are signs that may indicate more serious causes, such as occurring suddenly and changing its characteristics, such as continuing for several days, weight loss, high temperature, loss awareness, conviction, and clear defects in vision.
A migraine is not considered a headache unless the attacks are repeated at least 5 times, and it must last for a long time of about 3 hours or more, and it must be on one side of the head (most of the time). The pain is pulsating, gradual in intensity, and is aggravated by normal physical activity, such as walking or climbing stairs.
Diagnosis, prevention and treatment
> Diagnosis. In most cases, migraines can be diagnosed from the child’s medical history, including asking about family history as well. Some analyzes and tests can be done to rule out other conditions. Such as neurotoxicity from some medications, and some diseases of the nervous system such as brain tumors. A complete blood cell count can be done for headaches that can occur in some cases of hemoglobinopathies, such as sickle cell anemia, and a total body fat (lipid profile) can also be done, and in rare cases when it is suspected there are real reasons, and an electroencephalogram (EEG) can be done, or a magnetic resonance image (MRI) of the brain.
> Prevention. Migraines can be prevented or significantly reduced in at least 50 percent of patients by avoiding some of the main causes of their occurrence, such as tension, physical stress, and anxiety, since the child is often exposed to stress at home or at school, especially because children who suffer from headaches may suffer from learning difficulties, at least because of seizures , or because they are absent some days, and some children are there.
Some types of foods can cause headaches, so they should avoid these foods and drinks such as nuts, chocolate, cola drinks, citrus fruits, fried food, cheese, yogurt, sausages and processed meat. In most affected children, places with bright lights, direct sunlight, excessive physical activity, competitive sports, loud noises and feelings of hunger should be avoided, so food should be eaten regularly (food with low salt), and teenagers should absolutely. avoid narcotic substances (including alcohol).
> Treatment. During severe attacks, it is done using analgesics and antiemetics, and most cases can be treated with acetaminophen (15 mg/kg), or ibuprofen (7.5-10 mg/kg), until h -especially if the headache is mild, very frequent. , and short duration. In the end, parents must support the child mentally and give him relief.
* Pediatric consultant
2024-05-01 14:56:15
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