5 ways to recognize your child is having migraines

5 ways to recognize your child is having migraines


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Migraine headaches can be debilitating, and kids are not exempt. About 10 percent of teenagers experience migraines, and girls are three times more likely than boys to get one.

Unfortunately, a national study shows most don't receive appropriate treatment. Here's what to look for if your teen is complaining of a headache.

Increased sensitivity to light, sound or smells

Before a migraine, your child may feel "off" in general and be annoyed by sounds or smells that aren't usually bothersome. Some people will experience auras. The most common auras include blurred vision and seeing spots, colored balls, jagged lines, or bright or flashing lights. This can occur in one or both eyes. As the migraine progresses, the sensitivities likely will continue. If left untreated, a migraine can last from a few hours to a couple of days and can happen several times a month.

Nausea or vomiting

Nausea can be a warning that a migraine is coming or sometimes vomiting will occur at the end of the migraine and signal improvement. But nausea or vomiting can be signals your teen is having more than a run-of-the-mill headache. It also can interfere with treatment. Sometimes you will need to medicate for the nausea separately so you can keep the migraine medicine down.

Hurts to move

Although regular exercise is one of the recommendations to avoid migraines, too much stress on the body can also trigger a migraine, and once it hits even the slightest of movements can be monumental and painful. The pain is usually enough to disrupt daily life, or even bring it to a grinding halt. Typically, migraines are not dangerous and don't pose a lasting threat, but they do bring a lot of pain.

Pulsating pain

A traditional symptom of a migraine is the pulsating pain. About 85 percent of migraine sufferers report a throbbing pain. If your child uses the words pounding or beating to describe the pain, you may be dealing with a migraine. The pain often increases with motions such as coughing, bending or straining.

Pain on one of both sides of the head

Migraines can be on both sides of the head, but more often start or concentrate on one side of the head. The most intense pain is usually concentrated around the sides of the forehead.

What to do

How to properly treat a migraine can differ from person to person. However, the most important thing is trying to identify what works for you. If your child is experiencing consistent migraines, he or she may benefit from participating in [clinical studies](<http://www.ksl.com/ad_logger/ad_logger.php?location=http://wasatchclinicalresearch.sharpedgemarketing.com/adolescent-migraines/ & sponsor=wcr>). For more information visit [wasatchcrc.com](<http://www.ksl.com/ad_logger/ad_logger.php?location=http://wasatchclinicalresearch.sharpedgemarketing.com/adolescent-migraines/ & sponsor=wcr>).

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