5 Ways to Prevent Childhood Migraines

Does your child suffer from migraines? It’s hard to watch your loved one cry from intense pain behind their eye or the feeling of a tight band wrapping around their head. Your child may have even had to miss school because of prolonged pain from this neurological disorder.

Dr. Charles Niesen and our team at AMS Neurology in Pasadena, California, treat children who experience migraines. Educating yourself can help your child avoid this suffering. Following are five great tips to help prevent this debilitating kind of headache.

Keep a headache diary

Keeping a headache diary can help you figure out your child’s migraine triggers. Keep notes on when their headache started and what activities, environmental changes, foods, or beverages immediately preceded it. 

Know the signs of an oncoming migraine

Increased yawning, excessive fatigue, or sleepiness can signal an oncoming migraine in children. Watch for these signs so you can implement the treatment plan Dr. Niesen outlines. 

Avoid beverages and foods with caffeine

Caffeine plays a role in triggering migraine headaches. Some sodas contain caffeine, so read the labels carefully to ensure your child doesn’t inadvertently drink a caffeinated beverage. 

Chocolate, hot chocolate, and chocolate ice cream also contain caffeine. Make sure your loved one doesn’t overindulge in chocolate treats. Place these goodies out of sight so your little one doesn’t help themself when you’re not looking. 

Keep your child hydrated 

Even mild dehydration can result in a headache. Brain tissues shrink, placing pressure on the nerves. A headache caused by dehydration can lead to a migraine. 

Ensure your child has a full water bottle when they’re away from home. Explain the link between dehydration and migraines so your child can begin to take responsibility for drinking plenty of fluids. 

Ensure your child gets enough sleep and watch for signs of stress

Children need more sleep than adults. School-age children need 9-12 hours and teenagers need 8-10 hours each night. It’s easy to get off schedule during a vacation, but you don’t want a migraine to ruin your child’s downtime. 

Teens have a hard time putting away their phones. Try keeping devices out of the bedroom at night to ensure your child is ready for school the next day. 

Don’t overschedule your young child or teenager. They may want to engage in too many activities, leaving no room for downtime. Rushing from one activity to the next for prolonged periods increases stress. 

Researchers have found that in a stressful situation, the bloodstream is flooded with a peptide linked to migraine headaches. Stress also elevates cortisol, which is linked to migraines. 

For expert pediatric migraine treatment, call our office at AMS Neurology or book an appointment online today.