Symptoms of Migraines in Teens

Common Symptoms

Migraine headaches are a type of headache characterized by recurrent episodes of moderate to severe throbbing or pulsating pain. Migraine can occur at any age and often begins during the teen years. Migraine headaches can affect teenagers in various ways, impacting their school, work, and social life. Here are some common symptoms of migraine headaches in teens and ways to treat or mitigate these symptoms:

  • Localized Headaches: Migraine headaches cause moderate to severe localized pain on both sides of the head. Migraine attacks in adolescents tend to be shorter duration compared to adults. Teens may experience bilateral pain that lasts for about 2 hours on average. However, some teens may experience chronic daily migraines, where they have 15 or more headache days per month. If this is the case, it is important to seek medical help for appropriate treatment.
  • Sensitivity to Light and Sound: Teens with migraines often have heightened sensitivity to light and sound. This means that bright lights or loud noises can worsen their headache symptoms. To mitigate these symptoms, they can try wearing sunglasses or using earplugs.
  • Visual or Auditory Disturbances: Along with headaches, teens may experience visual or auditory disturbances during a migraine attack. These disturbances can include seeing flashing lights, zigzag lines, or hearing ringing in the ears.
  • Nausea and Vomiting: Migraine headaches can also cause nausea and vomiting in teenagers. To alleviate these symptoms, doctors may prescribe antiemetic drugs specifically designed to relieve nausea and vomiting.
  • Fatigue: Teens with migraines may experience fatigue during or after a migraine attack. This fatigue can make it difficult for them to concentrate on their daily activities.
  • Teens who develop chronic migraine (15 or more headache days per month) may have additional symptoms, including:
    • Sleep disturbances: Chronic migraines can lead to sleep disturbances in teens. They may have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep due to the pain and discomfort caused by migraines. To improve sleep quality, teens can establish a consistent sleep routine and create a relaxing environment before bedtime.
    • Anxiety and depression: Chronic migraines can also contribute to anxiety and depression in teenagers. The constant pain and disruption of daily life can take a toll on their mental health. It is important for teens experiencing these symptoms to seek support from healthcare professionals, such as therapists or counselors.

To treat or mitigate these symptoms, doctors typically recommend a combination of medication and lifestyle changes:

  • Pain Management: Over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen can help alleviate acute migraine pain. If these are not effective, a doctor may prescribe other medications to treat or help prevent migraines..
  • Nausea Relief: Antiemetic drugs such as metoclopramide can help alleviate symptoms of nausea and vomiting.
  • Lifestyle Changes: Doctors often suggest making certain lifestyle changes to prevent future migraine attacks. These changes include avoiding processed foods high in fat and sugar, improving sleep quality and consistency, and keeping a headache diary to identify possible triggers.
  • Behavioral Strategies: Behavioral strategies have shown effectiveness in helping teens manage their migraines. These strategies include drinking enough water throughout the day, eating regular meals and snacks, getting enough sleep (about 9-11 hours) each night, and using relaxation techniques like deep breathing to lower stress levels.

It is important for teenagers experiencing severe or frequent headaches to contact their doctor for a diagnosis and appropriate treatment. While there is no known cure for migraines, proper management can help reduce the frequency and severity of attacks, improving the overall quality of life for teens affected by this condition.

Warning Signs
  • If a teenager is experiencing severe or frequent headaches, it is important for them or their caregiver to contact a doctor. It's also important for teenagers with a parent who experiences migraines to talk with their doctor as soon as they start experiencing similar symptoms or think they’ve had a migraine headache for the first time so a diagnosis can be made and treatment started. Treating the condition as soon as possible is important, and a doctor can help you learn the warning signs of migraines and know when to take medications.
  • Seek medical attention if migraine headaches stop responding to treatment, if the symptoms worsen during an episode, or if new symptoms emerge during an episode. For those with chronic migraine, it's important to contact a doctor if you experience more frequent or severe migraine episodes. In general, it's recommended to reach out to a doctor if medications or lifestyle changes are not alleviating migraine attacks or symptoms. There may be other possible treatments that can be explored with the help of a healthcare professional. There also may be other potential causes of symptoms that may need different treatment.
  • If you think your symptoms may be due to mild hypoglycemia, you can try eating a carbohydrate-rich snack. However, if you're experiencing signs of moderate or severely low blood sugar, it's important to contact a doctor.
  • Emergency care is necessary if you experience head pain and nausea following an injury or blow to the head. Additionally, confusion, loss of consciousness, and hallucinations are signs of an emergency and should be immediately addressed by seeking medical attention. If you experience signs or symptoms of a stroke, carbon monoxide poisoning, or traumatic brain injury (TBI), it's important to get medical help right away.
  • There are certain times when immediate emergency medical attention is needed. These include:
    • If you experience symptoms that are new or unusual for you such as extreme nausea and vomiting, double vision or vision loss, impaired speech, weakness or dizziness, body numbness or tingling, fever, confusion, trouble breathing, or seizures during a migraine attack
    • If you have a migraine episode after a head injury, while pregnant, along with another medical condition such as kidney, liver, or heart disease, or along with a condition that affects your immune system such as HIV.
  • If you regularly wake up with migraines or other headaches, especially if your headache patterns or symptoms suddenly change, it is recommended to seek guidance from a doctor. Immediate medical attention should be sought if any of the following signs and symptoms occur:
    • Headache after a head injury
    • An abrupt and severe headache
    • Neurological symptoms such as weakness, vision changes, or sensory changes
    • Headache accompanied by fever, confusion, seizures, or difficulty speaking
    • Chronic headaches that worsen during exertion, straining, or sudden movement
    • New headache pain in individuals aged over 50.

Remember that these guidelines are general recommendations and it's always best to consult with your healthcare provider for personalized advice regarding your specific situation.

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