Do Parents Play A Role In Their Kids' Migraine Pain? Study: How Much Headache Pain Is Genetic, How Much Is Mimicked?

Main Category: Headache / Migraine
Also Included In: Pain / Anesthetics;  Pediatrics / Children's Health;  Genetics
Article Date: 07 Jun 2007 - 1:00 PST

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There are more than two million kids who suffer from migraines in this country - some as young as five years old.* Nearly 9 times out of 10, those kids come from families with a history of migraines.* While these headaches may be shared, does that mean the pain is necessarily the same? A new study is underway to find out how much pain is genetic, and how much is mimicked.

Shaina Malo has learned that it's best to do her homework as soon as she gets home from school. She's tried putting it off until late at night, but the lack of sleep often leads to crippling migraines.

"They're really painful. I usually can't do anything. All I want to do is sleep," says Malo.

That's not an uncommon response to the pain of migraines. In fact, Shaina lives with her aunt, Connie, who also gets them. She often deals with migraines the same way.

That has some researchers curious - are children feeling the same levels of pain as adults, or are they simply reacting to it in the same way?

"The implications are significant, in that we do know that responses to pain - a lot of that is a learned response," says Dr. Ann Pakalnis of Columbus Children's Hospital.

Dr. Pakalnis has launched a study to find out just how much is learned. She's noticed that when talking to adults and kids separately, there is a difference. Kids tend to report less pain and disability, but the adults…

"They tend to over-report their child's perception of pain from their migraine headaches compared to parents or guardians that don't have a chronic pain problem," says Dr. Pakalnis.

In other words, parents who have migraines might be projecting their pain onto their kids. That could lead to unnecessary treatment or excessive medication. It's important to understand that no one doubts these kids suffer from migraines. But doctors say if they can better understand their individual level of pain, they can develop individual treatments that are best for them.

The level of pain tolerance varies from one person to the next. That's why doctors say it's important that parents don't assume anything or speak for their children.

*The Complete Guide to Headache, National Headache Foundation, retrieved May 2007, www.headache.org

Columbus Children's Hospital
http://www.columbuschildrens.org