Migraine and tension-type headaches are among the two most common causes of headaches. In migraine, in which headaches of varying intensity and severity are often throbbing sensations, avoidance of light and noise and situations such as nausea and vomiting are among the complaints of the patients. Migraine diagnosis is more common in individuals with a family who has a migraine history.
ONE MUST BE CAREFUL ABOUT SUDDEN ONSET HEADACHES
Headaches greatly affect daily life, quality of life and school success in both children and adults. Prof. Dr. Ebru Kolsal, Child Neurology Specialist from Istanbul Gelisim University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Child Development, made the following statements about September 5-11 Migraine Awareness Week:
“Headache is one of the most common complaints in childhood. Headaches reach 40% around the age of 7 and 70-80% in adolescence. Persistent headache is significant for the diagnostic approach. Sudden onset headaches must be taken seriously. There may be an infection accompanying the pain. Tumor-like formations that can cause increased intracranial pressure can be considered in headaches that wake people up at night, particularly in the morning accompanied by vomiting. It can also be a symptom of conditions such as loss of consciousness, seizures or loss of motor function, bleeding and stroke that occur with headaches.
DETAILED EXAMINATION IS REQUIRED WHEN DIAGNOSING MIGRAINE IN CHILDHOOD!
In Migraine with Aura (also called classic migraine) attacks, which is a type of migraine, patients see lines or circles before the pain starts. Along with these visual findings, which are the precursors of a migraine attack, sometimes severe pain in the eye, temporary paralysis-like symptoms in the eye muscles or zig zag lines in vision, blind spots can be observed. Especially in patients with such symptoms, epilepsy must be differentiated. Prof. Dr. Ebru Kolsal: ‘’These visual symptoms or attacks of headache and vomiting can be confused with some types of epilepsy. When diagnosing migraine in childhood, it is definitely useful to have a detailed eye examination, imaging and EEG recording. Thanks to these examinations, diseases that should not be delayed in treatment will be caught.”
CONSUMPTION OF CHOCOLATE, TEA AND COFFEE INCREASE MIGRAINE ATTACKS
It is known that migraine is a disease that progresses in attacks that last a lifetime. Depending on the frequency of the attacks, continuous drug therapy can be applied, or medication can be used only during the attack periods. Prof. Dr. Kolsal indicated, “The crucial thing here is to regulate living conditions and prevent attacks. Especially being sleepless and hungry increases the attacks. It is very significant for the patient with migraine to have a sleep pattern and to eat regularly. Moreover, the foods to be chosen in nutrition are of great importance in preventing attacks. Particularly ready-made foods containing additives, chocolate, excessive consumption of tea, consumption of coffee and fermented beverages increase migraine attacks. Identifying and avoiding foods that trigger attacks in patients with migraine will eliminate the need for continuous medication. You need to stay on good terms and stay away from behaviors you do not like by living like a friend, not by fighting migraines.”
