A neurologist warns that recurring headaches in children could be a sign of migraine, not an excuse to skip school.
Many parents think a child is just making up an excuse to skip school or avoid doing homework when they complain of a headache.. Medical experts say that if a child has headaches over and over again you should not just ignore it.
Dr Sudhir Kumar is a neurologist who says that migraine is a medical issue for kids. A migraine can really mess up a childs school work, their daily life and how happy they feel.
Dr Sudhir Kumar recently shared 10 things that parents need to know about migraine in children. He talked about things like what the symptoms look like what causes them how to treat them and when to worry.
Migraine Is More Common in Children Than You Think
Dr Sudhir Kumar says that migraine affects 10% of children. Also migraine can become more common as kids get older.
A lot of people have their first migraine attack before they turn 12. This means if your child keeps telling you their head hurts they might actually need a doctor of you just brushing it off.
Family History Can Be a Clue
Migraine often runs in the family.
If you or someone close to you has a migraine your child might have a chance of getting migraine too if they have regular headaches.
This is why doctors will ask you about your family history if your child has frequent headaches.
Migraine Symptoms in Children Can Be
Children may not always describe migraine symptoms in the same way as adults.
The pain may occur on both sides of the head and can last anywhere from a few hours to several days.
Young children may also struggle to explain symptoms such as sensitivity to light or sound. Instead, they may simply want to lie down in a dark and quiet room.
Migraine can also cause symptoms beyond a headache, including:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Stomach pain
- Dizziness
- Sudden paleness
- Unusual tiredness or quietness
Healthy Habits Can Make a Big Difference
Dealing with migraine is not about taking medicine.Getting sleep eating good meals drinking enough water and staying calm can help stop migraine attacks.
Some things that start a migraine include skipping meals not sleeping enough not drinking water, stress and too much caffeine.
I think it is important to note that parents should not force kids to follow strict diets unless you know for sure that a certain food causes the migraine.
When Should Parents Seek Urgent Medical Help?
Not every headache is a migraine. You should take your child to the doctor away if they have a headache that hits suddenly and is very bad or if they act strange.
Watch for warning signs like weakness acting confused seizures, throwing up a lot or if the way your child gets headaches changes a lot.
The Good News for Parents
Sometimes migraine starts in childhood. Stays until someone is an adult but usually the symptoms get better as time goes on.
If you get the diagnosis keep healthy routines and use the right treatment many children, with migraine can live normal and active lives.
The main thing for parents to remember is this: do not just assume your child is acting. A bad or repeating headache could be a medical problem that needs help.