In children, migraines are typically one-sided. Children may also experience nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain. Very young children may exhibit a change in behavior, irritability, unexplained head banging and sleeping difficulties. Diagnosing migraines in children can be tricky. Often, it is difficult for children to express their exact symptoms to doctors or parents.
Doctors sometimes recommend that parents keep a calendar which lists a child's symptoms.
Since certain foods can trigger a migraine, it may be helpful to keep a log of all foods consumed during the day. The calendar may be useful in detecting a pattern that is suggestive of a migraine. Once the diagnosis is made, one of the main treatments is avoidance of migraine triggers. For more severe or frequent headaches, some prescription medications may be used to treat or even prevent migraine symptoms. The information on this fact sheet is not meant to substitute for a consultation with your physician or with another healthcare professional.