The 4 Stages of a Migraine Attack

A migraine is more than a headache. The National Institutes of Health classifies it as a complex neurological disorder affecting more than one million people around the globe. It ranks as the number two cause of long-term disability. 

If your child suffers from migraine headaches, you’re likely searching for answers. You want to learn as much as you can about how to help. This condition requires a specialist, and that’s where we come in. Pediatric neurologist Dr. Charles Niesen and our team at AMS Neurology in Pasadena, California, treat many children with migraines. 

Knowing the four stages of migraine headaches can help you spot the warning signs in your child and take action before a full-blown attack happens. 

1. Prodrome

Migraines often have subtle warning signs in the beginning stage, called prodrome. Check for the following changes in your child’s behavior and habits: 

• Constipation
• Mood changes
• Food cravings 
• Stiff neck
• Frequent yawning
• Increased thirst and frequent urination 

If any of these warning signs are present, you can go into prep mode in case a migraine is on its way. 

Prepare your child’s bed so they’re able to lie still; movement makes the throbbing worse. Close the blinds and darken the room; migraines result in significant light sensitivity. Have your child take their migraine medication as soon as possible. Place a bucket beside the bed in case your child throws up. 

2. Aura

Around one-third of people who have migraines experience an aura shortly before or during their migraine headache. The aura can include abnormal sensory experiences involving sight, feeling, hearing, and speech. 

For example, your child might tell you they see flashes of light or dots or dashes in their vision. They might experience tingling or numbness in their face, hand, and/or arm. They might experience temporary tinnitus and tell you they hear noises in their ears. It’s also possible the aura might affect your child’s speech, although this is rare. 

You can comfort your child during an aura by telling them the experience isn’t going to last. It will go away, usually within 20 minutes to an hour. 

3. The migraine headache 

During a migraine, your child may experience pain on one side of their head or both sides. Pain could be around or above their eye. Bright lights and loud noises worsen your child’s reaction to the migraine. A cool compress on their forehead may feel good. 

Your child may have some nausea. Have a bucket handy and a cloth to wipe your child’s mouth if they vomit. 

When it’s untreated, a migraine can last from 4-72 hours, but with treatment, your child receives relief from intense pain fairly quickly and the effects of the attack can be minimized. 

4. Postdrome 

The final stage of a migraine is the postdrome. If your child has experienced a migraine, you know they’re extra tired following the episode. Concentrate on quiet activities for the day. 

If your child suffers from migraine headaches, call our office at AMS Neurology or book an appointment online today.