Migraine in Kids and Teens: How Does it Affect Them?

October 9, 2022

kids, Upper Cervical Care

It's common for adults to experience migraine. Approximately 45 million people in the US alone complain about headaches in a year. Some migraine patients seek upper cervical care for the symptoms to stop interfering with their daily lives. Migraine symptoms vary, but most people living with it may agree that it's a perfect way to ruin a day. Also, its debilitating symptoms can set you back and steal your time and energy from what you may have planned for the day.

Sadly, this condition tends to spare no one as even kids, and adolescents get to experience its symptoms. Migraines are no fun for anyone. They can be especially rough on kids and teens who may not have as much experience dealing with them. In addition, some kids may get confused with the symptoms and be unable to verbalize what and how they are feeling perfectly. 

It can also get frustrating for parents and guardians to see them suffering and in pain, especially if they are not fully aware of what's causing their babies to feel such discomfort. This can also cause concern and even panic, as they are unsure how and what help to offer.

First, let us clarify that a migraine is beyond a severe headache. Although that is one of the common symptoms, children and adolescents manifest symptoms differently from adults. Migraines are also linked to a complicated neurological condition with other accompanying symptoms and a throbbing and pounding headache. Sometimes, migraine is triggered by injuries or trauma sustained in the neck or head that kids can experience by accident, falls, or rough play.

 

Migraine symptoms in kids and teens

Migraine signs and symptoms vary in kids or teenagers, but it's not uncommon for them to develop anxiety, socialize less, and be inactive in sports. Incidents of missed classes and events with family and friends may also take place.

Kids who experience more than 15 days of headaches in a month for over three months may be experiencing chronic migraines. By confirming a diagnosis with a doctor, you can plan your response and remedy options accordingly. It will also help to take note of your kids' symptoms to relay your concerns better when you visit a doctor for a check-up. 

Keep an eye on your kids and watch if they show any of these chronic migraine signs: 

  • Head pain
  • Dizziness or vertigo
  • Depression and anxiety 
  • Sleep disturbances
  • Extreme exhaustion
  • Concentration problem

 

Signs to Look for Before A Full Blown Migraines Episode

Did you know that migraines can happen even to children as young as 18 months old? Environmental factors and genetics influence the development of migraine and their onset of disabling symptoms. It's common for a child to acquire migraines if either or both of his parents have them.

Sometimes migraine can have warning signs, and parents may notice the following in their kids before a migraine episode happens:

  • Repeated yawning
  • Loss of appetite
  • Behavioral changes such as moodiness or irritability
  • Sudden food cravings despite the loss of appetite
  • Increased sensitivity to light, touch, and odor
  • Sleep talking
  • Sleepwalking
  • Night terrors or screaming, intense fear, and flailing while still asleep

Usually, these things can appear before a full migraine attack. For example, adults may experience an aura or visual disturbance that acts as a warning sign before a migraine attack. But children may or may not have an aura before the severe headache kicks in. 

Children may experience migraines due to different triggers, including sleep patterns, skipping meals or irregular feeding time, stress, weather changes or disturbances, exposure to light, sounds, and odors, and hormonal fluctuations. 

kids, Upper Cervical Care

Migraine Management and Care

If your child experiences chronic or severe migraine attacks, you can seek help from a family doctor or even an upper cervical chiropractic doctor. Changes in your child's behavior, habits, and lifestyle can help manage migraine pain. In some cases, medication can also help. 

Here are natural ways to manage and care for migraines: 

  • Practicing a healthy diet
  • Staying in a calm environment
  • Healthy sleeping habits
  • Reduced visual and noise distractions
  • Regular movement and exercise
  • Stress or anxiety management
  • Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care

 

Upper Cervical Care Helps Alleviate Headaches

We do not recommend that parents or guardians ignore signs and symptoms of migraines in children or teens. Upper cervical chiropractic doctors offer a natural remedy to help reduce the symptoms, episodes, or severity of migraine.

This form of natural care focuses on the top two bones of the spine, considered critical parts of the nervous system, the atlas, and the axis. These bones are prone to misalignments due to their position and function. In addition, vehicular accidents, sports injuries, physical trauma to the neck or head, simple trips or falls, sporting injuries, or roughhousing can cause misalignments in these bones. 

A misalignment in the upper cervical bones can cause migraines in your child. This misalignment can put pressure and stress on your child's brainstem, a critical part that transmits the body's signals and messages to and from the brain. Once the brainstem gets irritated, it can malfunction and transmit confusing messages to the brain. Additionally, neck bone misalignments can inhibit blood flow, which can cause different health concerns, including migraines—leading to different types of headaches. 

Upper cervical chiropractic doctors can help by applying gentle adjustments and moving the bone of the upper cervical spine back to its correct position. The corrections are generally safe for children and adults, and once the atlas and axis bones are back in proper alignment, an improvement in migraine episodes may soon follow. 

With proper balance and alignment restored in the spine, the body will heal naturally and relieve your child from uncomfortable headaches and other migraine symptoms. In addition, through upper cervical care, relief can potentially last longer, helping your child cope better during an episode. 

 

Find an upper cervical chiropractic doctor near you

If you are keen to explore upper cervical care and adjustments, you can find a reputable chiropractic doctor providing upper cervical care near you from this doctors directory. By filtering your search according to your location, you will find someone closer to your home.

 

Find An Upper Cervical Doctor in Your Areato schedule a consultation today.

The content and materials provided in this web site are for informational and educational purposes only and are not intended to supplement or comprise a medical diagnosis or other professional opinion, or to be used in lieu of a consultation with a physician or competent health care professional for medical diagnosis and/or treatment. All content and materials including research papers, case studies and testimonials summarizing patients' responses to care are intended for educational purposes only and do not imply a guarantee of benefit. Individual results may vary, depending upon several factors including age of the patient, severity of the condition, severity of the spinal injury, and duration of time the condition has been present.

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