Abstract
Although migraines are common in children and adolescents, they have a robustly negative impact on the quality of life of individuals and their families. The current treatment guidelines outline the behavioral and lifestyle interventions to correct common causative factors, such as negative emotional states, lack of exercise and sleep, and obesity; however, the evidence of their effectiveness is insufficient. To create a plan for disseminating optimal pediatric headache education, we reviewed the current evidence for factors correlated with migraine. We assessed three triggers or risk factors for migraines in children and adolescents: stress, sleep poverty, and alimentation (including diet and obesity). While there is a gradual uptick in research supporting the association between migraine, stress, and sleep, the evidence for diet-related migraines is very limited. Unless obvious dietary triggers are defined, clinicians should counsel patients to eat a balanced diet and avoid skipping meals rather than randomly limiting certain foods. We concluded that there is not enough evidence to establish a headache education plan regarding behavioral and lifestyle interventions. Clinicians should advise patients to avoid certain triggers, such as stress and sleep disorders, and make a few conservative dietary changes.
Highlights
Migraine headaches are common in children, adolescents, and adults worldwide
Educational initiatives are effective in reducing pain and disability [11,12] and improving the quality of life [13], but apart from this research, there are limited reports of non-pharmacological treatment focused on headache education in adolescents [14,15]
In order to summarize the knowledge required for clinicians and healthcare workers to provide proper headache education, we reviewed the link between lifestyle, behavioral triggers, and migraine
Summary
Migraine headaches are common in children, adolescents, and adults worldwide. Its robust negative impact can affect the quality of life of affected individuals in a manner similar to that of childhood cancer, heart disease, and rheumatic disease [1]. Educational initiatives are effective in reducing pain and disability [11,12] and improving the quality of life [13], but apart from this research, there are limited reports of non-pharmacological treatment focused on headache education in adolescents [14,15]. Among these limited reports, a previous retrospective study showed that the participants’ headaches reduced after conservative therapy alone, which consisted of good sleep hygiene, a no-additive diet, and limited sun exposure. In order to summarize the knowledge required for clinicians and healthcare workers to provide proper headache education, we reviewed the link between lifestyle, behavioral triggers, and migraine
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