Medical conditions awareness session: Migraine in children and young people.

What is migraine? Migraine has many symptoms and can affect the whole body. Children with migraine don’t always have a headache – the main symptoms may include: – Abdominal pain (stomach ache) – Nausea and / or vomiting (feeling sick or being sick) – An increased sensitivity to light, sound, and / or smells – ‘Aura’ neurological symptoms: can include things like visual disturbances (blind spots or zig zag patterns in front of your eyes), confusion, numbness in your arms or legs, slurred speech, or pins and needles There is no ‘test’ for migraine – people with migraine are diagnosed by a doctor finding out what their attacks are like and how often they happen. There is no magic cure but if you have migraine there are lots of things you can do to help reduce your chance of having an attack, or how bad an attack is.

Migraine in children and young people – the facts Migraine can affect children of all ages – it often begins around age five years or age years. Migraine is common - 10% of schoolchildren are affected. Migraine occurs equally in boys and girls up until 12 years. It then becomes more common in girls (who often experience their first attack around puberty). Around 2.75 million school days are missed each year due to migraine. Although some children do ‘grow out’ of it, some children will continue to have migraine as adults. If you have migraine it is important to learn to manage the condition so it doesn’t have a big impact and stop you from doing the things you want to do.

More about migraine Attacks may last for an hour, but they can last as long as three days (the average in children is between two and four hours). Some children may have an attack twice a week, others only have two a year (the average is one a month). People with migraine feel normal and well in between attacks. During an attack you won’t want to carry on with normal activities (you might want to go somewhere quiet or sleep). You may also: – Not be able to concentrate – Feel sick or be sick – Not want to eat – Become very sensitive to light, sound or smells. If you feel ill but still want to go out with your friends or play sport you probably don’t have a migraine.

What causes migraine? If members of your family have migraine you are more likely to be affected. Migraine is a very individual condition. What may trigger an attack in one child may not affect another. For many there is not just one trigger but a combination of factors which individually can be tolerated, but when several occur together a threshold is passed and an attack occurs: Example: Banana and a can of coke for lunch = no migraine Skipping breakfast after a late night, banana and a can of coke for lunch = migraine

What causes migraine? Some common migraine ‘triggers’ include: Dehydration (not drinking enough) Heightened emotions such as excitement, stress and anxiety Changes in sleep patterns (long lie-ins, late nights) Not eating regularly or not eating a healthy balanced diet Particular foods (different for everyone) Long periods watching TV or on the computer Long periods in a stuffy atmosphere Staring at white walls or boards Light, dental or eyesight problems Puberty Muscle tension The triggers, or combination of triggers, which lead to an attack are different for everyone.

What can help? Keeping hydrated (drinking lots of water). Eating regularly / not skipping meals. Reducing your intake of sugary snacks or foods or drinks with lots of additives. Going to bed and getting up at similar times each day. Getting some fresh air and exercise each day. Managing stress (talking to people you trust about your worries, having an outlet for stress, like a hobby). Keeping a migraine diary and thinking of your individual triggers if you do have attacks. If you don’t have migraine, show understanding to those who do.

Treatments Many children do not require medication to treat their migraine. During an attack many children will feel better after resting / sleeping. If children are sick they can feel better afterwards. Some children take painkillers bought from a pharmacy or supermarket when they have an attack (like paracetamol and ibuprofen). Some children with severe migraine are prescribed medication by their GP to take when they have an attack. Some children are also prescribed preventative medications to help reduce the frequency (number) of their attacks and / or severity (how bad an attack is).

In summary Migraine in children is very common. By showing a little understanding YOU could make a huge difference to someone with migraine who may be worried about or embarrassed about their condition. If you think you have migraine tell someone and visit your GP. Migraine Action has information packs and three websites which give lots of information yr olds yr olds 14 – 17 yr olds

Some famous migraineurs Version 2 Amended September 2011 Next Review Date September 2013