Even young children can suffer from migraines. However, the illness often manifests itself differently in them than in adults. “Young children are not yet able to precisely locate and describe pain. Many complain not of headaches, but of stomach aches,” says Prof. Dr. Hartmut Göbel, head physician of the Kiel Pain Clinic, in the pharmacy magazine “Baby und Familie” (Baby and Family). “They also don’t complain about light or noise, which is quite typical in adults, but simply withdraw.” Therefore, it often takes a long time before a migraine diagnosis is made in children.

Preventing a migraine attack

Experts advise affected parents and children to first pay attention to their behavior. “Medication is very rarely used in children, and if it is, it's usually for severe headaches or nausea,” says Göbel. “Good therapy doesn't start during an acute attack, but rather beforehand, with the goal of preventing it from occurring in the first place.” A balanced mental and physical state is particularly important for children: “This means having regular daily routines with consistent mealtimes, and ensuring that stressful periods, such as those at daycare, are followed by periods of relaxation,” the expert explains. He strongly emphasizes the importance of regular meals, as fluctuating blood sugar levels in children are often a trigger for migraine attacks.

Parents should keep a migraine diary

It's crucial to know what causes the child's problems, what triggers the migraines. "Ideally, parents should keep a diary. They should record how the days are structured, what the child does and when, and when they complain about which problems," explains Göbel. This also forms the basis for making a diagnosis.

The pharmacy magazine “Baby und Familie” 1/2020 is currently available in most pharmacies.

Press contact:

Katharina Neff-Neudert
Tel. 089 / 744 33 360
Fax 089 / 744 33 459
Email: presse@wortundbildverlag.de
www.wortundbildverlag.de

 

[youtube https://youtu.be/NnYYcp4cPOQ w=500&h=400]