You might think that migraines are the same for everyone who has them all over the globe. However, certain factors make migraines a different experience for every person. One of these factors is age.

Generally, migraines grow more pronounced and are expected as you age. But, it does not mean that children are off-limits when it comes to migraine attacks. Unfortunately, children as young as toddlers are also vulnerable to migraines.

In this article, we’ll talk about what makes migraines in children different from what adults experience. We’ll also discuss why more and more parents have switched to seeking a chiropractor for migraines near Escondido as an alternative to giving their children medication.

 

The Sad Truth About Migraines in Children

Migraines usually run in families. So, if you or your significant other has migraines, it’s likely that your child would also experience them. And unfortunately, migraines do not wait for a certain age to develop fully.

It’s saddening to think that toddlers, even younger than the age of 2, can experience migraines. Among the 40 million migraine sufferers, 2 million of those individuals are children. Unfortunately, 2 million might not represent the actual number of children who suffer from migraines since this condition is often misdiagnosed. 

In a perfect world where all children are safe from harm, migraines would not exist. But, unfortunately, such a world does not exist, and the only thing that we can do to spare our children from migraines (potentially) is to learn everything we can about the migraines that may attack them.

To fully understand why you need to consult with a chiropractor for migraines near Escondido for your child, you have to familiarize yourself with the symptoms your child experiences.

 

Migraine Symptoms in Children

When you ask an adult about the most prevalent symptom when their migraine attacks, they’d share the severe throbbing headache. However, the crucial thing to know about migraines among children is that they don’t often include headaches.

Instead, children with migraines might experience these symptoms:

  • Hypersensitivity to bright lights, loud sounds, and strong odors
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Stomach pains
  • Irritability or sadness

Much older children may experience debilitating, pulsating headaches but not as much as adults do. Still, migraine attacks can be traumatic for a child. Hence, if your son or daughter suffers from migraines, you must always be there to support and care for them.

Compared to adult migraines, migraines in children last a much shorter time and attack sparsely. But still, a migraine attack can mean a missed day in school, which can bring more stress and anxiety to your child. This stress, in turn, can make their migraine attacks stronger.

Of course, with a stronger migraine episode, your child might develop anxiety– they’d worry about when the next migraine episode would strike. And worse, migraines might produce even more mental strain that may affect their relationships among peers and family, making them struggle with studies and hindering them from living a happy life.

 

Caring for Your Child with Migraines

After visiting the doctor for your child’s diagnosis, you have to understand that caring for a child with migraines is crucial. That said, here are different methods for taking care of your child with migraines at home:

  • Study about migraines in children– Many online sources and reliable studies show valuable data about migraines among the youth.
  • Set a sleeping, eating, and relaxation routine for your child– The critical element that can save your child from painful migraines is consistency.
  • Keep your child away from stress– Help your child with schoolwork, encourage them to join you in de-stressing activities, and tell them that you support them.
  • Learn about the different things that can set off a migraine attack– As much as possible, make your house trigger-free by eliminating processed foods and soda from your family’s diet. In addition, do not play loud music at home and limit screen time while ensuring that your child’s phone brightness is low.
  • Understand how to aid your child during an attack– Tell your child about the importance of staying in a cool, dark room during a migraine episode. Learn how to give them a head and neck massage to soothe the pain.

 

A Chiropractor for Migraines near Escondido to Help Your Child

As mentioned above, many parents are looking for alternative ways to give their children relief from migraines. A possible reason behind this is that they may not be happy about the effects of pain medications on their children. Another possible explanation is that making children take their meds is a highly challenging activity.

One of the alternative methods that parents can trust for migraine relief is upper cervical chiropractic care. You might be wondering what neck misalignments got to do with migraines. We’ll explain.

The neck is the central passageway of blood to the brain. Furthermore, one of the usual triggers for migraines is poor blood circulation. So, if a bone in a child’s neck falls out of alignment, even at a small degree, it will disrupt the regular flow of blood to their brains, causing migraines.

Neck misalignments are highly prevalent, especially among children with their energy and vigorous playing. So, there’s a good chance that their migraine attacks are due to neck misalignments.

Fortunately for you and your child, upper cervical chiropractors can correct neck misalignments. With gentle and highly safe adjustment techniques, your child’s neck will realign– promoting good circulation and fewer migraines.

Here at Rickards Precision Chiropractic & Wellness, let’s give your child the migraine-free childhood they deserve. Call us today at (760) 745-1511 for a consultation!

 

To schedule a consultation with Dr. Rickards, call our Escondido office at (760) 745-1511. You can also click the button below.

If you are outside of the local area, you can find an Upper Cervical Doctor near you at www.uppercervicalawareness.com.