2024-05-01 14:56:15
Although most parents treat their children’s complaints of headaches with some disdain, thinking that migraines are rare at this age, the truth, contrary to general perception, is that headaches in general and Migraines in particular are one of the common symptoms among children. For example, in the age group of 7 to 15 years, its incidence is about 5 percent and gradually increases during adolescence to reach 20 percent.
Headaches and children
Depending on its causes, frequency and intensity of pain, it can indicate many health problems ranging from a simple temporary medical problem to the possibility of a brain tumor. Therefore, a child’s complaint must be treated with sufficient seriousness. , especially those who suffer from headaches that are severe or occur frequently at short intervals.
Migraines result from chemical changes in the cerebral cortex (propagated cortical depression) that result in the secretion of certain substances that affect the blood vessels of the brain and cause pain.
In children, it is a type in which there are no visual symptoms, such as seeing colored spots or very bright light that serve as a warning of the appearance of a headache. head (migraine without aura). In general, this type is the most common, even in adults. The pain feels like a tingling sensation and is most often on one side of the face, but it can be anywhere on the forehead.
The pain in children is less intense than in adults and the headache usually lasts between one and three hours, but in rare cases it can last for three full days. In this case, the child must miss school because physical activity can make the pain worse. Severe nausea and vomiting are the most common symptoms of headaches in children, and abdominal pain and a high temperature may also occur.
Symptoms of paleness and photophobia
Other symptoms include extreme pallor, photophobia and dizziness, as well as an inability to tolerate loud sounds and strange sensations in the extremities, such as hot, cold or numbness (paresthesia), in 90% of affected children. .
It was noted that there was a positive family history of the disease, particularly on the mother’s side. Extreme caution should therefore be exercised when diagnosing migraine. In the absence of a positive family history, it can be the result of a serious cause, and most often it is linked to certain factors that can facilitate its appearance, such as the period preceding the menstrual cycle in girls, and sometimes before ovulation, and gradually after continued exercise, and after mood swings, anxiety and odors.
There are signs that could indicate more serious causes, such as its sudden onset and change in its characteristics, such as persistence for several days, weight loss, high temperature, loss of consciousness, seizures and obvious defect of vision.
A headache is not considered a migraine unless the attacks are repeated at least 5 times, and they must last for long periods of about 3 hours or more, and they must be on one side of the head (most of the time). The pain presents as throbbing, progressive in intensity and is exacerbated by routine physical activity, such as walking or climbing stairs. During a headache, vomiting or nausea, or both, and extreme sensitivity to light should occur.
Diagnosis, prevention and treatment
> Diagnosis. In most cases, migraines can be diagnosed from the child’s medical history, also taking into account family history. Certain analyzes and tests may be performed to rule out other conditions. Such as the neurotoxicity of certain drugs and certain diseases of the nervous system such as brain tumors. A complete blood count may be performed for headaches that may occur in some cases of hemoglobinopathies, such as sickle cell disease, and a complete body fat analysis (lipid profile) may also be performed, and in rare cases where serious causes are suspected, an electroencephalogram (EEG) may be performed or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain.
> Prevention. Migraines can be prevented or their severity significantly reduced in at least 50% of patients by avoiding some of the main triggers for their occurrence, such as tension, physical stress and anxiety, because the child is often exposed to stress at home or at school. especially because children who suffer from headaches They may suffer from learning difficulties, whether because of seizures, or because they are absent on certain days, and there are some children.
Certain types of foods can cause headaches, so one should avoid these foods and drinks like nuts, chocolate, cola drinks, citrus fruits, fried foods, cheese, yogurt, sausages and meats transformed. In most affected children, brightly lit areas, direct exposure to sunlight, excessive physical activity, competitive sports, loud noises and feelings of hunger should be avoided. Meals must therefore be taken regularly (foods low in salt) and adolescents must completely avoid taking narcotic substances (including alcohol).
> Treatment. In acute attacks this is done using analgesics and antiemetics, and most cases can be treated with acetaminophen (15 mg/kg) or ibuprofen (7.5-10 mg/kg) , especially if the headache is mild and infrequent. , and short-term Gradual use of analgesics to avoid side effects on the stomach and kidneys. Ultimately, parents must provide psychological support and relief to the child.
* Consultant pediatrician
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