Migraines in Children
Welcome to our informative page at the Clinic La Migraine dedicated to our effective treatment of migraines and other headaches in children. This page will explain this condition and invite you to consult us at the Clinic La Migraine for effective treatment of migraines affecting your children. We aim to uncover the often overlooked aspects of this bewildering affliction.
In our ongoing commitment in providing effective treatment with in-depth information on headaches and migraines, our site offers dedicated pages for the treatment of other types of headaches and migraines, including chronic migraines, ocular migraines, vestibular migraines, and hormonal (menstrual or catamenial) migraines, atypical migraines, and classic migraines (with aura), as well as headaches from Arnold’s neuralgia and Horton’s headache, post-traumatic and post-concussion headaches, and tension headaches. Each of these pages explores our solutions for these headaches, their specific characteristics, and serves as a resource for those looking to improve various aspects of their condition. (Some of these pages are under construction. Will follow soon.)
Clinic La Migraine – Our personalized solutions against migraines and headaches in children
Our Clinic La Migraine holds a significant position in both the practical management and theoretical understanding of migraines and headaches in the Greater Montreal area. With an impressive track record spanning over two decades, our approach has yielded positive results, achieving an average reduction of more than 70% in the intensity, frequency, or duration of migraines in children. In most cases, young patients often experience significant alleviation of their migraines. Leveraging this extensive experience, we offer personalized solutions to guide you on your journey towards relieving juvenile migraine symptoms.
What are our treatments like?
At the Clinic La Migraine, we are committed to going beyond immediate relief by offering personalized strategies that aim not only to manage symptoms in the moment but also to reduce their frequency and intensity over the long term, ultimately working towards their complete elimination. We invite you to an initial consultation to discover how our approach can become your preferred solution for comprehensive and lasting management of migraines and other headaches in your child.
Our model leverages the interconnection between nociception from the neck and the base of the head and the brain. This allows us to offer targeted interventions for young patients. These interventions aim to reduce neuronal interference and nociception towards your brain, originating from nerves, tendons, ligaments, muscles, fascia, and accessible joints, along with all their proprioceptive components. Thanks to these advanced treatments, we significantly improve neuro-musculoskeletal health and promote optimal function of the nervous system, which often has a decisive impact on symptoms. By mitigating the underlying causes, we make your child much less sensitive to migraine triggers, thereby reducing the intensity, frequency, and duration of their migraines.
That’s why you should bring them to consult with us. Call us for more information or to schedule an appointment for them. We accept new patients and you do not need to have a referral.
Prevention and Long Term Maintenance
Lifestyle changes such as dietary modifications, stress management techniques, and cervical strengthening exercises can help prevent or reduce symptoms of migraines and other headaches in the long term. Clinic La Migraine also offers personalized maintenance programs for this purpose.
Why choose our treatments?
Loss of school days, difficulty concentrating, and loss of enjoyment of what it means to be a child— at the heart of our commitment at Clinic La Migraine, we understand the debilitating impact of migraines on life. Our dedicated team offers exceptional solutions to free our young patients from the incessant burden of migraines. We firmly believe that no one should live with migraines longer than necessary, which is why we offer more than just momentary relief.
Personalized Approach: Each child is unique, and our solutions are tailored to meet their specific needs. We thoroughly assess their situation, going beyond symptoms to address the underlying causes.
Reduction of Frequency and Intensity: Our goal is clear – to reduce the frequency of episodes, possibly to zero, and to alleviate the intensity of the pain. We aim for lasting relief, offering a significant improvement in quality of life.
Proven Experience: With many years of experience, Daniel Lachance, D.C., and his team have successfully treated various cases of migraines and headaches in children. Their aptitude ensures a reliable and effective approach for each patient.
Let us place their life’s quality first
We invite you to take this opportunity to improve their quality of life, help them regain balance, and no longer be limited by migraines or other headaches. Contact us today to discuss the best approach for their case, as this approach shows great promise. Their well being is our absolute priority.
Navigating through migraines in children
Synonyms: pediatric migraine; juvenile migraine
Frequency in children
Migraines within kids are a lot more common than we may think. While migraines are often associated with adults, they can also affect children—a phenomenon that is sometimes underdiagnosed and undertreated. Nearly 60% of the global population of children and adolescents experience significant headaches, and 7.7%-9.1% suffer from migraines.1 Additionally, 3% of children and adolescents worldwide have migraines with aura, which is about one-third of the young people affected by migraines.2
Head disorders are classified as the second most common cause of years lived with disability worldwide. Headaches are the most frequent type of pain among children and young people, affecting health-related quality of life, school attendance, and social interactions. According to the Global Burden of Disease Study in 2016, migraine was ranked as the most disabling disease among the age group of 15 to 49 years. Though often underestimated, these headaches can start as early as childhood. The prevalence increases with age, and by adolescence, the rates approach those seen in adults.3
Although often underestimated, these headaches can start as early as childhood. The prevalence increases with age, and by adolescence, the rates approach those seen in adults. Some manifestations can even appear in early childhood. Generally, the peak age for experiencing migraines is in early to mid-adolescence. Clearly, young people who have migraines are often prone to experiencing them throughout their adult lives.1
Symptoms in children
Migraines in children present symptoms similar to those in adults, such as intense headaches, sensitivity to light and sound, nausea, vomiting, and in some cases, aura symptoms (visual disturbances or other sensory changes preceding or accompanying the headache). However, a major difference with adults is that children suffering from migraines often experience bilateral pain – the pain more commonly becomes unilateral as they approach adulthood. Moreover, the duration and frequency are reduced compared to those of adults.
Here are the criterias according to the ICHD-3 (International Classifications of Headache Disorders) :
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Have a duration of 2-72h
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• Present two of the following characteristics:
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Unilateral or bilateral pain (for children)
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o Throbbing sensation
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o Moderate to severe pain intensity
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Exacerbated by or leading to avoidance of usual physical activities (e.g., walking or climbing stairs).
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• During the attack, exhibits 1 of the following characteristics:
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o Nausea or vomiting
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Photophobia ou phonophobia
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• Experience at least 5 attacks meeting the above criteria.
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• Have no better description for another diagnostic on ICHD-3 criteria
Living with migraines in children
Children suffering from migraines are at higher risk of experiencing academic performance difficulties and developing depression compared to others of similar ages.
Toddlers and school-aged children may experience episodes of paroxysmal vertigo, cyclic vomiting, and abdominal migraines. Benign paroxysmal vertigo (BPV) is characterized by sudden episodes of vertigo, nystagmus (involuntary eye movements), and vomiting, which can last from a few minutes to several hours and often resolve spontaneously. BPV manifests suddenly, with or without associated pallor or anxiety, typically occurring between 2 and 5 years of age. Treatment includes rest, reassurance, hydration, and differential diagnosis considers factors such as vestibular dysfunction post-ear infection.
The syndrome of cyclic vomiting (CVS) involves recurrent episodes of vomiting and nausea lasting 1 to 5 days, accompanied by pallor and lethargy. Symptoms completely resolve between attacks, typically beginning around the age of 5 years. The diagnosis of CVS must exclude any underlying gastrointestinal, metabolic, or mitochondrial disorders.
Abdominal migraine represents 4% to 15% of cases in pediatric gastroenterology, is more common in those with a family history of migraines, and rarely persists into adulthood. The pain, ranging from moderate to severe intensity, lasts from 2 to 72 hours if untreated. Headache is not a predominant feature; vasomotor symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, pallor, and anorexia are common. Up to 70% of children with abdominal migraine will develop more traditional migraines by the age of 9 to 10 years.1
Causes within children
Migraines in children can result from a combination of genetic, environmental, and neurological factors. Family history of migraines can make the child more susceptible. Although the exact cause remains unclear, disruptions in the vestibular system and its central connection signals, stemming from abnormal feedback from the neck or oculomotor system, appear to play a crucial role. Triggers such as stress, hormonal changes, certain foods, and sensory stimuli can contribute to triggering migraines in children.
Diagnosis of children
Diagnosing migraines in children can be challenging due to their sometimes difficulty in expressing symptoms. Parents and healthcare professionals play a crucial role in recognizing symptom patterns. Diagnosis often involves discussing medical history, observing symptom patterns, and ruling out other possible causes. It is essential to consult a doctor when experiencing new migraines to rule out any other possible conditions.
Again, feel free to call us for more information or to schedule an appointment for them. We welcome new young patients, and you do not need a medical referral.
Contact Form– We’re accepting new patients
We would be delighted to assist you and discuss your migraines. No referral is necessary. Simply fill out this form and submit it, and we will get in touch with you.
You are on the right path to your first consultation and relief from migraines!
