School Days & Migraines (for kids)

“Children don’t get headaches,” I was told when I was young. I had migraines. I remember going to school for three or four days in a row with headaches, but kids didn’t get them. I remember my first migraine when I was in seventh grade. I didn’t know what it was; all I knew was that it hurt BAD.

Luckily, we’ve come pretty far from those days and we recognize that not only do children get headaches, they can get migraines too.  In fact, statistics suggest that more than one-third of children experience headaches regularly. And, unfortunately, for many, the first days of school means a return of migraines that they may have been rid of over the summer months.

While we’ve missed the back-to-school preparation that could reduce the risk of migraines, it’s not too late yet if you’re the parent of a migraineur.  Besides the usual advice of trying to ensure your child gets enough sleep, experts from National Children’s Hospital advise,

[besides being sure to] minimize caffeine intake, parents should ensure their children are eating balanced meals and snacks regularly. Also, limit their caffeine intake and monitor to check that they are getting the proper amount of fluids.

Over-the-counter medicines can provide relief but are sometimes difficult for children to swallow or digest, particularly if they have a migraine accompanied by nausea. Newer therapies such as triptans which work on the brain’s serotonin system are very specific for migraine treatment.  Although there are multiple medications in this class, only one has been approved by the FDA for use in adolescents. Parents should also monitor the amount of over-the-counter analgesics older adolescents are taking, such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen. Using these medications for headaches several times a week could be a sign of a more severe condition and lead to more adverse effects which make it more difficult to manage pain.

Of course, a parent must also watch for signs that the headaches may be more than migraines. The doctors from the National Children’s Hospital say:

Children who still have frequent headaches or migraines, despite a healthy lifestyle and regular schedule, should consult their pediatrician. A doctor visit is also recommended if the child’s headaches occur in the back of the head, rather than the front or side of the head, or if headaches occur only in the morning, result in nausea, get progressively worse over time or suddenly deviate from their existing pattern. These could all be signs of a more serious condition or may require additional treatment.

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