7 Types Of Migraine In Teens, Causes, Signs, And Treatment

Image: iStock

Migraine is a complex inherited neurological condition. Although commonly associated with adults, it is not uncommon to encounter cases of migraines in teens. This moderate-to-severe headache usually lasts for a couple of hours to several days. It may occur twice to four times per month, severely affecting a teenager’s daily life.

Read this post to learn about migraine in teens, their types, causes, symptoms, and ways to treat and prevent this condition.

Prevalence Of Migraine In Teens

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, about 28% of teenagers between the ages of 15 and 19 years experience migraines.

It is more prevalent in girls than boys, with an incidence rate of 8% among boys and 23% among girls (1). Many children with migraine may never receive a diagnosis or have delayed diagnosis since the condition is not often associated with adolescents and teenagers. Therefore, many teens may not know that they are experiencing migraines (2).

Types Of Migraine In Teens

Teens and adolescents can experience the following types of migraines (3).

1. Migraine with an aura: It affects 15-30% of children and teenagers and is also known as classic migraine. Aura is any sensory anomaly that usually occurs 30 minutes before a migraine and may last up to 20 minutes. Some of the common auras include blurry or distorted vision. The teen may experience blind areas or feel like sensing brightly colored, moving or flashing lines or lights. Other auras include abrupt changes in the ability to hear, smell, taste, or touch. Some may also experience problems moving or speaking.

2. Migraine without an aura: It is also called common migraine and affects about 60-85% of children and teens.

3. Chronic migraine: It’s the most debilitating type of migraine, with 15 or more days with a migraine per month, and may last up to three months. In addition to headaches, the teen may have dizziness, sleep difficulties, anxiety, sadness, difficulty concentrating, and exhaustion.
   

   Image: IStock

In rare cases, some teens may experience the following types of complex migraines (4).

4. Basilar migraine is characterized by dizziness, fainting, and pain at the base of the skull.

5. Hemiplegic migraine causes the teen to experience a tingling sensation in the arms and the face, usually on one side of the body. It may also cause weakness on one side of the body.

6. Acute confusional migraine leads to sudden disorientation and confusion. This may often be triggered by a minor head injury.

7. Complicated migraines are often accompanied by other neurological or neurology-triggered issues, such as vertigoⁱA sensation that you or your surroundings are moving or spinning , torticollisⁱ A condition in which an infant holds their head tilted to one side , vomiting, abdominal pain, and speech problems.

Quick fact

Teenage girls may experience menstrual migraine before or during their menstrual cycle (18).

Symptoms Of Migraine In Teens

Image: Shutterstock

The symptoms of migraine may vary among teens of different ages. Below are some of the common symptoms of migraine in teens (4) (5).

• Severe headache that may continue for two hours to several days
• Pulsating or throbbing pain all over the head or worse on the sides of the head
• Pale skin color
• Irritability
• Changes in mood
• Sensitivity to sound and light
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Vertigo
• Abdominal pain
• Difficulty thinking and focusing
• Fatigue

Causes Of Migraine In Teens

The exact cause of migraine headaches is still unclear. However, there are various theories for the occurrence of this condition (6).

• Genetic nature: Studies show that teens with parents or siblings having migraine are at an increased risk of developing it themselves, suggesting that genetics play a significant role in the development of this condition.

• Brain malfunction: Migraine could be a result of brain malfunction that may involve neurotransmitters (brain chemicals) such as serotoninⁱ A neurotransmitter and vasoconstrictor that can stabilize mood . The cyclic changes in the secretion of these chemicals may lead to pain and migraine.

• Constriction and dilation of blood vessels: A spasm or constriction (narrowing) of blood vessels in the neck and head followed by dilation of the blood vessels minutes to hours later may cause migraine. The dilation may increase the pressure inside the skull, resulting in headaches.

Factors That Trigger Migraine In Teens

The following factors and conditions may trigger migraine in teenagers (1) (7).

• Stress and fatigue
• Lack of sleep or irregular sleeping habits
• Menstruation in girls
• Noise and bright light
• Dietary changes and changes in normal eating patterns
• Consumption of too much caffeine and caffeine withdrawal
• Heat and other extreme weather changes
• Certain medicines
• Changes in routine
• Strenuous exercises

Syed Muzaffarsha, a blogger who has grappled with migraines since his teenage years, recounts the specific triggers that have been responsible for his migraine episodes. He reflects, “Frankly speaking, I wasn’t expecting that my way of assuring my first place at high school would be the very root of my problem, to migraine. After years of standing up to little Miss Migraine, I realized that, three years ago, my orthodox method of studying until I became fatigued was the trigger to my long-lasting migraine (i).”

Image: IStock

When To Call A Doctor

Consult a doctor or pediatric neurologist if the teen’s headaches interfere with their daily life. You should also contact a doctor if the following conditions accompany the teen’s headaches (8).

• Neck stiffness
• High fever
• Vomiting
• Loss of balance
• Behavioral changes
• Increased confusion
• Seizures
• Loss of consciousness

Diagnosis Of Migraine In Teens

Diagnosing a migraine during the teenage years may be challenging due to the varying presentations of migraine and the different presentations during different ages. Headache may not be the most typical presentation of migraine in adolescents.

There are no specific tests for migraine, but your doctor can make a diagnosis by gathering the following information (4).

• Learning specific details about the headache, such as its severity, frequency, identifiable triggers, and associated symptoms

• Taking the teen’s medical history, including past or current medications

• Checking the family history of headaches

Point to consider

The doctor may suggest other diagnostic tests such as spinal tapsⁱ A medical test where a needle is inserted into the area surrounding the spinal column in the lower back to withdraw cerebrospinal fluid , sinus x-rays, electroencephalogramsⁱA test to detect brain wave abnormalities by recording its electric signals using sensors attached to the scalp , or eye examinations to diagnose the underlying causes of migraine in teenagers (19).

Treatment For Migraine In Teens

Image: IStock

There is no cure for migraine. Medications may be prescribed for symptomatic relief, such as reduction of vomiting or pain. Pain medicines may be prescribed for severe headaches that interfere with daily activities. Some of the common medicines to manage migraine in teens include the following.

• Acetaminophen
• Ibuprofen
• Naproxen
• Triptans; a category of selective serotonin receptor agonists

Avoid self-medication to manage migraine due to its chronic nature. The doctor can prescribe the safe daily limits of these medicines to avoid side effects.

Caution

Guide your teen to read the label and instructions on the leaflet before taking migraine medications. Teens below 16 should not take aspirin unless prescribed by a doctor (20).

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT):It focuses on teaching coping skills, thinking positively, observing healthy habits, and relaxation techniques to help your child cope with migraine discomfort.

• Biofeedback: It teaches the teen to become aware of biological functions or events, such as heart rate and muscle tension, and use the information to relax or manage the migraine triggers.

• Stress reduction: It can be conducted with the help of a counselor or mental health professional and may involve stress-reduction techniques such as exercise and yoga.

Home Remedies For Migraine In Teens

You may try interventions at home to manage migraines in teens. These remedies can help manage existing migraine episodes, and also aid in the prevention of future ones (10) (11).

• A healthy diet with adequate amounts of minerals and vitamins can be good for neurological health. Avoid diets rich in potential triggers such as caffeine, high salt and fat content, monosodium glutamate, and artificial sweeteners.

• Adequate hydration with water can help keep the mind fresh and may make it easier to manage teen stress, which is one of the triggers of migraine.

• Sufficient sleep is essential for the health of all body systems, and it can reduce stress and fatigue.

• Regular exercise for about 30 minutes each day can benefit the body and mind, making it easier to manage the migraine triggers.

• Gentle massage of the head can help reduce the intensity of the migraine. Teens who experience migraine with an aura may try self-massage when the aura begins.
  

  Image: IStock

• Hot shower before bed can help the body relax and reduce anxiety.

You may encourage the youth to maintain a migraine diary where they can write the time and potential trigger of the migraine. It can help identify the triggers, enabling better management of their migraines.

Complications Of Migraine In Teens

Migraines in teens are manageable and seldom cause any further problems. Nevertheless, migraines may lead to the following complications in some cases, especially if they are not diagnosed on time (12) (13) (14).

• Acute migraine turning to chronic migraine

• Lasting symptoms of aura phase, even when the headache dissipates

• Migraine followed or accompanied by seizures

• Structural changes in the brain

• Increased risk of depression or anxiety disorder

Infographic: How To Identify Migraine In Teens?

Understanding migraine symptoms and triggering factors in teens is crucial in assisting them in managing their illness and reducing the frequency and intensity of their headaches. So if your teen is experiencing migraine, look through the infographic below to learn about the symptoms and factors that can trigger this common condition.

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Illustration: Types Of Migraine In Teens Causes Signs And Treatment

Image: Stable Diffusion/MomJunction Design Team

Community Experiences

Join the conversation and become a part of our nurturing community! Share your stories, experiences, and insights to connect with fellow parents.

Reviewer Author Editor Fact Checker

Dr. Neema ShresthaMD

Dr. Neema Shrestha is a pediatrician with a special interest in the field of neonatology. She has an overall experience of five years working in the field. Currently working in Kathmandu, Nepal, she completed her MBBS from Kasturba Medical College, Manipal in 2008, Diploma in Child Health from D.

Read full bio of Dr. Neema Shrestha

Reshmi DasMSc

Reshmi Das has over four years of experience as a clinical coordinator, medical content writer and medical conference coordinator. Her continuous interest in medical journals and writing makes her write well-researched articles for MomJunction.

Read full bio of Reshmi Das

Dr. Ritika ShahBDS, CLC

Dr. Ritika Shah is a certified lactation counsellor (CLC) from iNational Health Care Academy, Singapore and a dental surgeon with more than seven years of clinical experience across various cities in India. She did her graduation in Dentistry from KM Shah Dental College.

Read full bio of Dr. Ritika Shah

Dr. Joyani DasM.Pharm, PhD

Dr. Joyani Das did her post-graduation from Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra and PhD in Pharmacology. Previously, she worked as an associate professor, faculty of Pharmacology, for two years. With her research background in preclinical studies and a zeal for scientific writing, she joined MomJunction as a health writer.

Read full bio of Dr. Joyani Das