Emily remembers her first bad headache. "It was really
scary. The pain was unbelievable and I felt like I was going to
throw up," she said. "I had no idea what was
happening." The headaches struck once a month, then once a
week. They were getting worse and worse. Emily told her mom, who
took her to the doctor.
It turned out that Emily had migraines (say:
my
-graynz). Luckily, the doctor gave Emily some medicine to treat her
headaches. The doctor also taught her how to know when a migraine
is coming and how to avoid them.
What's a Migraine?
Almost everyone gets
headaches
. You might have one after bumping your head or during a
cold
or bout with the
flu
. Some types of headaches may happen only once in a while, whereas
others can happen as often as every day. Most headaches produce a
dull pain around the front, top, and sides of your head, almost
like someone stretched a rubber band around your noggin.
But a migraine is worse than a regular headache. Migraines
usually occur about one to four times a month. The pain is often
throbbing and on one or both sides of the head. Kids with migraines
often feel dizzy or
sick to their stomachs
. During the headache, some kids are sensitive to light, noise, or
smells, and want to sleep. When they wake up, they usually feel
better. Most migraines last from 30 minutes to 6 hours but some can
last a day or 2.
If you have migraines, you're not alone. About one out of
every 20 kids, or about 8 million children in the United States,
gets migraines. Before age 10, an equal number of boys and girls
get migraines. But after age 12, during and after
puberty
, migraines affect girls three times more often than boys.
Migraines aren't contagious, which means you can't catch
them from someone who has them.
What Causes a Migraine?
A migraine begins when, for some reason, blood vessels in the
brain
narrow (constrict) temporarily. When that happens, the amount of
blood and oxygen flowing to the brain drops. So the brain sends a
message: "Hey guys, we need some more blood and oxygen
here!"
That causes other blood vessels to dilate (expand). When those
blood vessels expand, they become inflamed, throb, and cause a
pounding pain. Because it involves changes in blood vessels, a
migraine is a
vascular
(say:
vas
-kyuh-lur) headache.
Some scientists believe that people who get migraines have
inherited a tendency for their nervous systems to react differently
to changes in their bodies or their environment. Certain things may
trigger a reaction in the person's nervous system and start a
migraine attack.
Some common triggers are:
-
stress
-
menstruation
(having a period)
- skipping meals
- too much
caffeine
(like cola drinks)
- certain foods (cheese, pizza, chocolate,
ice cream
, fatty or fried food, lunch meats, hot dogs, yogurt, or anything
with MSG, a seasoning often used in Asian foods)
- too much or too little
sleep
- weather changes
- travel
No one is really sure why people get migraines. But chances are,
if you get migraines, another member of your family gets them as
well. That's because scientists think migraines are genetic,
which means that certain
genes
passed on from parents make a kid more likely to get them.
Do You Know a Migraine Is Coming?
Migraines begin differently. Some kids just don't feel
right. Light or sound may bother them or make them feel worse, and
they may even get sick to their stomachs and throw up. Before or
during a migraine headache, some children may have muscle weakness,
lose their sense of coordination, stumble, or even have trouble
talking.
About one in five kids gets an
aura
(say:
or
-uh), a kind of warning that a migraine is on the way. The most
common auras include blurred vision and/or seeing spots, colored
balls, jagged lines, or bright lights, or smelling a certain odor.
An aura usually starts about 10 to 30 minutes before the start of a
migraine headache, although auras can happen the night before the
headache starts. An aura usually lasts about 20 minutes.
Treatments for Migraines
Getting a bad migraine once in a while may be annoying, but
usually doesn't cause any big problems for a kid. But be sure
to tell your mom or dad if you have headaches that:
- last a long time
- seem to be getting worse
- happen more often
- cause problems with balance
- interfere with school or after-school activities
Your doctor will want to know about those problems and can try
to help. Your doctor also may want you to keep a headache diary. By
keeping track of your headaches, you may be able to figure out what
triggers them. Answer all the questions in the diary each time you
have a headache. The information will help your doctor figure out
the best treatment.
Your doctor may suggest one or more medicines you can take. They
could include:
-
pain relievers
like acetaminophen or ibuprofen
- medicines that reduce nausea and vomiting
- sedatives, which can help you to go to sleep and get rid of
the headache
- medicines to prevent migraines or make them less severe
Some doctors may also try to teach you biofeedback. This
technique helps you learn to relax and use your brain to gain
control over certain body functions. If a migraine begins slowly,
many people can use biofeedback to remain calm and stop the
attack.
How to Prevent a Migraine
The good news is that many kids outgrow migraines. In the
meantime, follow your doctor's instructions and take your
medicine as instructed. Make sure you have the medicine on hand in
case a migraine starts at school or when you're away from
home.
Also try to stay away from
your
migraine triggers. If certain foods like chocolate or cheese or
caffeinated drinks trigger your migraines, it's a good idea to
avoid them. Also, take breaks from activities that seem to trigger
your migraines, such as using the
computer
for a long time or
listening to loud music
.
Fight stress by making a plan so you don't feel freaked out
by all the stuff you need to get done.
Regular exercise
can also reduce stress and make you feel better. The more you
understand migraines, the better prepared you can be to fight them
before
they become a big pain!
Reviewed by:
Margaret C. McBride, MD
Date reviewed: December 2007
Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice,
diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
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