Paediatrics is the medical specialty focused with children. Theres a good reason treating children requires its own specialty. The physiology of young people is an ever-evolving, complicated mixture of snot, boo-boos and biochemistry, wrapped up inside a loveable frame. The normal tools available for solving the root cause of an illness, are rendered useless when dealing with children.
A diagnosis can usually be deciphered with an honest, open medical history. Children, unfortunately, cannot vocalise exactly what is wrong with them. This makes life difficult for everybody, particularly parents, who must figure the difference between an upset tummy and something more sinister.
How can you tell if your child is suffering with migraines? Like any condition, it is imperative to receive an accurate diagnosis as soon as possible. Take a look at our top 15 signs to watch out for in your child, if you suspect he/she suffers with migraines.
1 – Avoidant habits
Does your child have strange avoidant habits? Do they avoid the light on certain days of the month? Perhaps they avoid hot summer days or being inside buildings with fluorescent lights. On some days, your child might run into their room and not want to leave. You should take note of these behaviours, as it could point to migraines.
2 – Depression
Depression and migraines go hand in hand. Those who suffer with migraines are more susceptible to suffer with depression, both because of the debilitating nature of the condition, as well as shared neurological pathways (this connection is still poorly understood). If you notice the colour has left your child’s life, it is cause for concern. If migraines are the reason why, it is important to find out as soon as possible.
3 – Abdominal pain
For some children, migraines can present as tummy pain. A migraine does not always have to mean a headache in children. If your child is complaining of stomach pains that seemingly have nothing to do with their diet, perhaps they could be suffering with migraines.
4 – Strange trips to the bathroom
If you notice your child going to the bathroom at odd times, or more than usual, be mindful of the idea that they may have excused themselves from illness. Are they going to the bathroom to relieve themselves, or because they are nauseous and need to vomit? Some children will hide when they are unwell, so you should be actively investigating any strange behaviour you notice.
5 – Headache
This is a good sign to watch out for in your child. Is your child complaining of headaches often? If so, perhaps they suffer with migraines. It is important to remember that migraines do not always present with headaches in children. A history of severe headaches, however, should always alert you to the possibility.
6 – Appearance changes
It is important to note any changes you see in your child’s appearance. Has their weight changed? Do they look pale? Do they look flushed? Are there dark shadows under their eyes? Nothing specifically will point to migraines, but its associated symptoms might provide important clues, such as lack of sleep, depression, poor dieting etc. Being aware something is not right is the first step in diagnosing migraine in your child.
7 – Tiredness
This is an important general marker for ill-health. Poor sleeping habits are the hallmarks for all teenagers, but could also point to underlying illness. Sleep disorders are strongly linked with migraines. Long term tiredness in your child should alert you to the possibility of this illness.
8 – Hyperactivity
Not a common sign of migraines, but still a possibility in your child. If you notice hyperactivity at certain times of the month, along with other symptoms, it could be a sign of migraines.
9 – Headache with congestion
If your child experiences associated congestive symptoms with headache, take note. These symptoms can include: a stuffy nose; watery eyes; fullness of cheeks and forehead; pressure in the cheeks and forehead; increased pain on leaning forward. Any of these symptoms alongside a headache could point to a migraine.
10 – Puberty
Migraines can strike at any age, but it is important as a parent to pay close attention to your child’s health during puberty. Migraines are much more common after puberty hits. Watch out if ill-health and headaches strike your daughter at certain times of the month. It could be the onset of menstrual migraines.
11 – Behaviour changes
You will experience good and bad days with your child, irrespective of ill-health. If you notice unexplained behaviour changes with your child on certain days, perhaps they could be suffering with migraines. This is simply one clue, which should be taken in context with the rest of your child’s life, but is a possible sign for migraines.
12 – Family history of migraines
If anyone in your family has migraines, you should always be on the lookout for migraines in your child. They will statistically be at a higher risk of suffering with migraines when compared with the general population. Try to keep an eye on their patterns of behaviour; remember if they do have migraines, their symptoms may be completely different to migraineous family members.
13 – Trouble paying attention
When a migraine attack occurs, it is hard to focus on anything else. Pay attention to the days where you child can’t seem to focus or be persuaded to leave the home. Ask teachers about days in the month when your child is less switched on than normal. Regular, intermittent loss of attention should be a cause for concern. It could point to your child suffering with migraines.
14 – History of concussion
This is an important point. Head injuries, of any kind, can predispose your child to headache disorders in the future. Any incident which leads to a bruise to the head should count as a significant event in your mind. If your child plays contact sports, make sure you note whenever they suffer any head injury. It could be important in diagnosing a migraine in the future.
15 – Change in eating patterns
This is a vague sign to look out for, but still important. Migraines sometimes lead to fussy eating, where your child might avoid certain foods and crave others, in a crude attempt to isolate and avoid migraine triggers. Watch your child’s diet carefully; if their strange habits are not a new fad diet, they could perhaps be a sign of migraines.