Causes of Teen Migraines

Migraine, the type of headache that is associated with severe pain, nausea and sensitivity to light, commonly begin in the teenage years. The exact causes of migraine isn't fully known, but there are several things that are believed to lead to the chances of getting migraine headaches.

- One of the most common things that are believed to attribute to migraine is missing meals, not eating enough, or replacing regular meals with sweet, sugary snacks like candy. This can also create sudden changes in the blood sugar levels, which has also been thought to be a trigger.

- Tiredness, not sleeping on a consistent schedule, or not getting enough sleep at all has also been known to be a factor when it comes to migraine.

- Sudden changes in hormone levels, which is quite common throughout the teenage years, is also thought to trigger migraine.

- Stress is also common in teens. Whether to do with hormone changes, or just the everyday hectic life and emotions an adolescent goes through, it's easy to get stressed out and this may make one more susceptible to migraine. Even after a stressful situation has already passed, something known as a "let-down" migraine may occur.

- Physical exertion, especially when one is not used to it or it's under such duress as really hot weather, can attribute to migraine.

- Dehydration has also been known to be a large factor when it comes to migraine headaches.

- Constant exposure to very bright lighting, such as fluorescent lights, has also been known to trigger an attack. Of course, a lot of times someone may wrongly associated bright lighting with migraine because when a migraine headache comes on one can be really sensitive to any light, especially bright lights. It may not be the actual cause, just seem like it.

- Very rarely, certain foods or drinks can lead to a migraine. Processed foods with chemicals like tyramine, nitrates and artificial colors and flavors have all been known to attribute. These can be in foods such as cheese, hot dogs, lunch meats (especially bologna), chocolate, pizza, sodas, artificial juice drinks, and anything with artificial sweeteners like aspartame and saccharin. MSG is also a great factor when it comes to headaches, and in some can lead to a migraine.

There are several things that can be do to help prevent or combat migraine headaches in your teen. First, try to figure out what may be causing or provoking them If any of the above possible factors apply, you could try changing that. For instance, make sure that meals aren't skipped, enough is eaten, plenty of water is consumed and a healthy diet works wonders as well. Getting enough sleep is also very important. If your teen is constantly around bright, fluorescent lighting or out under the sun a lot, he may want to avoid it or at least get a pair of polarized glasses.

Other factors involved may be harder to deal with - such as stress, hormone levels, etc. If anything, you can help your teenager learn how to unwind after a stressful day with relaxation techniques or something as simple as taking a calming bath. If nothing seems to work, you will probably need to take him to the doctor - an eye exam may be requested, as it could have to do with vision problems. If all else fails, the physician may prescribe a medicine specialized for migraine headaches.