Updates

Headache/Migraine Program

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Isaiah Seth Bowie

Seeing children and teenagers with symptoms of headache and migraine

Headache can be a debilitating condition in school age children, and can affect mood, school performance, and activity level. The most common headache syndrome affecting the pediatric population is migraine. Approximately ten percent of school aged children experience migraine.1,2 Close to one percent of adolescents suffer from chronic migraine,3 experiencing headache symptoms on most days of the month. Identifying and appropriately treating migraine early can prevent progression of migraine symptoms,4 and lead to improved functioning.

The Texas Children’s Hospital Headache Clinic recognizes the feelings of stress and isolation that suffering from headaches can cause. The clinic provides comprehensive management of severe headache disorders. There are only a handful of such pediatric headache programs in the country. Our highly qualified pediatric headache specialists see patients at the West Campus, Woodlands, and Clearlake locations to provide informed, evidence-based management of common and uncommon pediatric and adolescent headache disorders. Specialists have added pediatric headache certifications,5 and multiple years of experience treating pediatric and adolescent headache disorders.

Our pediatric headache specialists work to develop effective long-term treatment plans, including education on healthy habits, pain coping mechanisms, use of preventive and acute medications, headache procedures, and other treatments to improve headache symptoms and quality of life. If indicated, we will also work with other Texas Children’s Hospital specialists in Psychology, Adolescent Medicine, Neurosurgery, Otolaryngology (ENT), Ophthalmology, and Physical Therapy.

The Pediatric Headache Program recognizes the importance of a robust clinical program, but also values trainee education and research. It offers a Pediatric Headache fellowship program to train other child neurologists on identification and management of pediatric headache disorders, as well as a growing research program to identify evidence-based treatments in pediatric headache. 
 


References:

Wöber-Bingöl C. Epidemiology of migraine and headache in children and adolescents. Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2013 Jun;17(6):34.
2 Victor TW, Hu X, Campbell JC, Buse DC, Lipton RB. Migraine prevalence by age and sex in the United States: a life-span study. Cephalalgia. 2010 Sep;30(9):1065-72.
3 Lipton RB, Manack A, Ricci JA, Chee E, Turkel CC, Winner P. Prevalence and burden of chronic migraine in adolescents: results of the chronic daily headache in adolescents study (C-dAS). Headache. 2011 May;51(5):693-706.
4 Bigal ME, Serrano D, Buse D, Scher A, Stewart WF, Lipton RB. Acute migraine medications and evolution from episodic to chronic migraine: A longitudinal population-based study. Headache. 2008;48:1157-1168.
5 Certifications include United Council of Neurological sub-specialist headache certification, pediatric headache fellowship training, and/or Certificate of Added Qualification in Headache Medicine form the National Headache Foundation.

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