Migraine in the Classroom
By Shea Tomkins, Migraine Ireland
Approximately one in every 10 Irish children will experience a migraine
attack before the age of 18. This worrying statistic has prompted the
Migraine Association of Ireland (MAI) to create a Migraine and Teenagers
pack (which also caters for pre-teens) in an effort to raise awareness in
Irish society that migraine is not just an adult condition.
Migraine is a disorder of how sensory information such as pain, light or
sound is dealt with by the brain. It is often inherited and can begin at any
age. In children, the average age of onset is between 10 and 13-years-old.
The latest survey carried out by the MAI reveals that one in five adults
reported having their first migraine by the age of 12 and over half of
respondents had their first migraine experience by the age of 18.
One of the most difficult factors to overcome with migraine is that there
is no specific cause and no particular cure. Through a process of education,
treatment and self- management however, young people can learn to reduce the
impact migraine has on their lives.
Watch out for the following symptoms when in charge of a child with
migraine:
Not all of these symptoms need to be present and none of them are
absolutely required for a diagnosis of migraine. In fact, symptoms such as
stomachache, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting may be the major part of
a child’s attack, and not the headache. After puberty, the headache often
becomes more painful.
There are a number of lifestyle changes a child can make to help reduce
the impact of migraine on their lives. Light excercise and an awareness not
to overly exert their bodies is one. Drinking lots of water and making a
conscious effort to eliminate caffeinated or fizzy drinks is another.
Children should make sure they keep regular eating times even if they are in
a rush or don’t feel hungry. Avoiding falling behind in schoolwork ensures
that stress levels are kept low. For both young and old, stress is a major
migraine trigger factor. Also flicker from excessive TV/ playing computer
games
Medical professionals recommend that all children with migraine should
keep a regular migraine diary as it mantains a record of their activities in
the build up to an attack. Migraine diaries are freely available from the
Migraine Association.
Diet can also be a potential migraine trigger and both children and
parents should be aware of the importance of maintaining a balanced diet.
There are quite a number of foods with the potential to induce a migraine
attack including: cheese, onions, pickles, nuts, cured meats, sour cream,
bananas, citrus fruits like oranges, chocolate, eggs, caffeine and tomatoes.
As children with migraine grow older, the development of their condition
will vary. Some children, especially boys, will grow out of it completely in
their teens. For others, it will become more frequent and/or severe as time
progresses.
Many of the treatments used to treat migraine in adults are not suitable
for children. Paracetamol or Ibuprofen are the recommended medications for
children. Aspirin should be avoided. In some cases, preventive medications
may be prescribed by the GP. Consult with your GP for further information
The MAI Migraine and Teenagers pack has three separate booklets for
students, parents and teachers. Each booklet is must read for anybody who
has direct contact with a person under the age of 18 that suffers with
migraine. For your free copy, contact the Migraine Association Helpline on
1850 200 378 or check out their website at
www.migraine.ie
