Numerous conditions are closely related to migraine. Despite the fact that they frequently don’t resemble migraine headaches in the way we are used to, they can nonetheless deceive us. These are known as migraine variations, and children frequently experience them. When migraine variants appear, they could be mistaken for other illnesses, and it’s typical to consider a number of other illnesses when making the right diagnosis.
What is a Migraine?
A migraine is a moderate-to-severe headache that can last anywhere between two and forty-eight hours. It typically happens two to four times per month, depending on a case-to-case basis.
About 3% of preschoolers, 4% to 11% of elementary school-aged kids, and 8% to 15% of high school-aged kids experience migraine, also known as acute recurring headaches. Boys are more likely than females to experience migraines in early infancy and before puberty. Migraine is more common in teenage girls than teenage boys. Women are three times as likely than males to experience migraine as adults.
What causes a migraine?
Until recently, migraine was thought to be caused by the changing size of blood vessels in the brain. These changes either increase or decrease blood flow, triggering other changes. Today, migraine is thought to be a brain malfunction – a disorder that mainly affects the brain and nerves but also affects blood vessels. The “malfunction” is caused, in part, by the release of chemicals in the brain. One of these chemicals is serotonin. This cycle of changes causes inflammation and the pain of the migraine.
Migraine is genetic, meaning it tends to run in families. Some 60% to 70% of people who have migraine headaches also have an immediate family member (mother, father, sister, or brother) who has or may have had a migraine.
A migraine can be extremely painful, leave you disabled, and interfere with your daily activities. They often do not harm the body, though. Strokes or brain tumors are unrelated to migraine headaches.
What are the symptoms of a migraine?
Although individual symptoms may differ, common symptoms include:
- Headache that is pounding or throbbing. Children typically experience pain on the front or both sides of the head. One side of the head may be affected by discomfort in adults and teenagers.
- Light skin tone
- Irritable, depressed
- Sound sensitivity and light sensitivity
- Reduced appetite
- Vomiting and/or Nauseous
What are the different types of migraine that occur in children and adolescents?
There are two primary migraine types that affect kids and teenagers frequently. In 60% to 85% of children and adolescents who experience a migraine, a migraine without an aura, often known as a common migraine, takes place. 15% to 30% of people will experience a classic migraine, which has an aura. Migraines frequently start in the late afternoon in young children. As the youngster ages, migraines frequently start in the morning.
What is an aura?
When an aura appears, a migraine is ready to start. About 30 minutes before a migraine begins, an aura typically appears. Auras with visual components like impaired or distorted vision, blind patches, or vividly colored, flashing, or moving lights or lines are the most typical. Some other auras may include changes in the ability to speak, move, hear, smell, taste, or touch. Auras last about 20 minutes.
Other types of migraine that occur in children and adolescents are:
Yes, other varieties are classified as either difficult migraines or different types of migraines.
Migraines that are complicated have neurological symptoms, such as :
- The eye muscles that retain the eye in its natural place and regulate its movement are paralyzed or weak. Previously, this was referred to as an ophthalmoplegic migraine.
- A physical weakness on one side. Hemiplegic migraine is the medical term for this.
- Pain at the base of the skull, along with tingling, numbness, changes in vision, and balance issues (such as a spinning sensation [vertigo]). It is known as a basilar migraine.
- Confusion and issues with speech and language. Confusional migraine is a condition that can potentially develop with a mild head injury.
- Variants of migraine are conditions where the symptoms come and go periodically. There might be no headache pain. Children who will later have migraine or who have a family history of migraine are more likely to have migraine variations. Various migraine types include:
- Vertigo that comes and goes in brief, powerful bursts is known as paroxysmal vertigo.
- Paroxysmal torticollis is a condition in which the head “tilts” to one side as a result of a rapid contraction of the neck muscles on one side of the head.
- Uncontrolled vomiting that lasts between 60 and 90 days and is cyclical in nature.
- Migraine in the abdomen, typically near the belly button (navel). It normally hurts for an hour to two hours.
Variants of migraine can occasionally be mistaken for other neurological conditions. The recurrence of migraine variations is a significant distinction. Between episodes, there is total recovery and absence of symptoms.
While it is important to know that these migraines exist, it is equally important to be aware of how to manage them. The key step to reaching that level is an accurate diagnosis. Hence, it is advised that one must visit a qualified specialist for the best treatment experience.