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Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners
Could my child be getting migraines and vomiting?
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I have a 7 year old daughter who has been vomiting about once a month since May 2013. But most recently she has been vomiting every 2 weeks almost exactly to the day. When this first started happening I was most concerned about the vomiting and didn't worry that it usually started with an intense headache first.
I have been keeping a record, and I have noticed that every time she vomits it starts with the headache, she looks hot(not a fever), is lethargic and crying. I cool her down with a cold cloth on her head and she will sleep for at least 3 hours. She will then get up and start vomiting, sometimes 3-4 hours and sometimes it will go all night and day, I have been to my general practitioner who says there is nothing she can do and I have to just try and find the triggers for her headache and avoid them.
I have been to a naturopath who has done food sensitivity tests and we are keeping away from those foods. She is very weak now that it is happening more often. What else can I do? -
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Dr Greg Sher
Chiropractor
I am the Clinic Director of the Sydney Spine and Sports Clinic.At our clinic, we see an equal mix of city office workers and elite … View Profile
Good morning.
Firstly I would like to say that I am sorry to hear about all that you are going through.
It is not great to feel helpless and not have the right answers for your children.
I would suggest that based on what you have written above, that there is very likely a trigger (internal - hormones, posture; or external - stress at school, food, iPad/PC use….) and if you can find out what it is (or what combinations), you will be halfway to the cure.
This may be a long-shot, but there are certain muscles in the neck that can be aggravated by poor posture (especially prolonged looking down). When these muscles are irritated, they can cause symptoms like neck pain, headache, dizziness and nausea, which can even result in vomiting.
On top of that, certain neck joints are richly innervated, and have direct connection to these muscles, and nerves that come directly off the brain, which may be irritated and causing some of her symptoms.
I would advise you consult with an expert in posture (chiropractor or the like) who can then advise you if she has any postural issues that could contribute to the problem.
Sometimes these problems occur in layers, and each issue has to be addressed as it presents, so we can unravel the symptoms and try get to the bottom of the condition.
I hope that helps somewhat.
Best wishes and good luck.Report this post
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Helen Potter
Physiotherapist
As a Specialist Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist, with extensive experience and highly advanced qualifications, as well as excellent communication skills, I can help you to: Become informed … View Profile
As migraine is a lifetime affliction, I think it is very important for you to have a full assessment from Neurologist who has an interest in migraine and headache.
He/she will discuss all aspects of the problem and exclude any other pathology before giving you advice and information on medication and coping strategies.
You may find it helpful to download some pamphlets from www.headachehelp.org.au as they have one on childhood migraine aimed at the child, one with information for friends and one for teachers to help your child cope at school.
In adults, the neck is often a trigger or a consequence of migraine but from your description, your child may have migraine that is related to hypersensitivity of the nerve to the arteries in the brain. While postural correction and neck treatment help others, going direct to a neurologist first will save you a lot of time, effort and money. Helen Potter FACP Specialist Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist
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Mr Roger O'Toole
Physiotherapist
Roger O'Toole is the Director and senior clinician of The Melbourne Headache Centre. Since opening the Melbourne Headache Centre in 2012 Roger has amassed over … View Profile
Firstly let me share Greg's sentiments - as a parent there is nothing harder than feeling helpless when it comes to the health of your child.
The good news is there are more things you can look at beyond chasing triggers that may get closer to the heart of the problem.
Firstly the symptoms you are describing are quite typical of migraine in younger people. We usually associate migraine in teens and older with the severe headpain. In children the nerves related to the stomach are much more sensitive and as such usually present with “abdominal migraine” or “cyclical vomiting syndrome” both of which related closely to traditional migraine.
While you can keep looking for triggers, the timing cycle with these episodes would indicate that you are unlikely to find much joy there. Migraines that relate strongly to controllable triggers tend to be a bit more sporadic (i.e. related to trigger exposure) rather than working to an internal clock as these appear to.
Greg is right to suggest looking at the neck. Far from being a “long shot” the scientific evidence is becoming much clearer. The neck is becoming front and centre in the search for answers in migraine.
We know that with all headache types an area in the top of the neck called the brainstem has become overactive. This area houses all the nerves for the head and face and must be “switched on” for you to have a headache. Sitting immediately behind this area is a control centre for nausea and vomiting, which is why many migraineurs will report nausea and/or vomiting as a predominant symptom. Again, in children this area tends to “light up” quicker and vomiting is usually a much stronger feature.
The position of the brainstem is the problem. Sitting in the top of the neck, it receives direct input from the 3 nerves in the top of the neck. What this means is the nerves in the top of the neck have direct access to the headache centre, and as such can drive this overactivity.
There is now very good evidence that using specific techniques, known as the “Watson Headache Approach” we can assess the neck and determine if it is playing a role, and if it is, treat successfully and normalise the activity in the brainstem - decreasing the likelihood of headaches and the accompanying nausea/vomiting that often goes with them.
Rather than go to a generalist, I would see someone who deals with this type of problem all day every day. There are dedicated headache clinics using these techniques in Melbourne (my clinic), Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide. Let me know where you are and I can put you in touch with the appropriate contact.
Best of luck.Report this post
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