Handling Prom and Graduation Season with Migraine: A Guide for Parents

Understanding the Migraine Environment

During the first, pre-headache phase of a migraine (doctors call this the “prodrome” phase), adolescents with migraine are more sensitive to environmental factors that can induce migraine, like stress, disrupted sleep patterns, loud noise, bright lights, and even certain foods. Prom and graduation events – with their late nights, social pressures, and sensory overload – can unfortunately create a perfect storm for migraine attacks.

Symptoms to Watch For

Migraine symptoms can vary but often include throbbing pain on one side of the head, nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound. Some adolescents experience an aura before a migraine attack, which can manifest as visual disturbances, tingling sensations, or difficulty speaking.

Strategies for Coping

1. Plan Ahead

Because migraine can happen anywhere and anytime, encourage your adolescent to participate in planning their activities. Knowing their schedule in advance can help ease anxiety and lessen the likelihood of migraine onset, given the physiological connection between the two. Talk with them about managing early warning signals and the importance of having their treatment handy to get ahead of a full-blown migraine attack.

2. Communication is Key

Empower your adolescent to communicate their needs. This includes talking to friends about their condition and knowing when to step back from activities if they feel a migraine coming on. If possible, it’s also helpful for them to discuss specific accommodations with event organizers, such as a quieter place to rest, access to hydration, and other ideas that might help them feel relief in tandem with their migraine treatment.

3. Healthy Habits

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is important during this busy season. Encourage your child to maintain regular sleep patterns, healthy eating, and hydration. Skipping meals can prompt a physiological migraine response, so consider packing a small snack for your teenager if they’ll be out for long periods.

4. Stress Management

Prom and graduation are exciting, but they can also be stressful. Teach your adolescent stress-relief techniques, such as deep breathing or meditation. Even taking short breaks during events to step outside for fresh air can be beneficial. Also, keeping their migraine treatment readily available in their backpack, tote bag, or sports duffel can alleviate worries in case of migraine onset.

5. Flexible Plans

Despite the best-laid plans, sometimes a migraine could still strike. Teach your adolescent that it’s okay to miss out on activities or leave early if they’re feeling unwell. Help them understand that their health takes precedence and that there will be other opportunities to celebrate.

6. Listen to The Body

Understanding the early signs of a migraine is crucial. Have a chat with your teen about recognizing these warning signals and deciding on the best course of action when they appear. This might involve taking a break in a quiet, dimly lit room, practicing deep-breathing exercises, or using their acute migraine treatment at the event.

7. Set Reminders

Setting reminders can also be a game-changer. In the excitement and chaos of prom and graduation season, it’s easy to forget to stay hydrated, stick to a preventive treatment schedule, or take a moment to relax. Encourage your teen to set periodic reminders on their phone to check in with themselves, drink water, and keep up with their migraine treatment plan.

8. Migraine Management Strategies

When it comes to managing migraine, the key is to adhere to the treatment plan set by the healthcare provider and follow some basic rules that will help manage migraine better. Here are some examples of migraine treatment methods recommended by the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) and the American Headache Society (AHS):

• Acute Therapy
  • Treat migraine attack at first sign
  • Consider product indications
• Prevention Therapy
  • Consider a treatment with a low side effect profile
  • Decide on a treatment that will not worsen another condition or problem
  • Be mindful of age-appropriate treatment
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
  • Behavioral therapies can be part of the migraine management plan
  • Options include relaxation, breathing, mindfulness, and biofeedback
• Headache Hygiene
  • Sleep – Maintain regular sleep patterns and avoid getting too much or
    too little sleep
  • Meals – Eat regular meals at consistent times and do not skip meals.
    Prioritize a healthy diet rather than junk food and caffeinated drinks
  • Hydration – Don’t forget to drink plenty of water
  • Activity – Engage in moderate exercise

9. Non-Pharmacological, Safe, and Effective Alternative to Manage Migraine

Many prescription medications have not been evaluated in adolescents and were not originally developed for migraine treatment. Further, they are often poorly tolerated, disruptive to normal activities, and require an adult oversight to comply with dosing to minimize side effects.

There are other options that are safe, effective, and developed with adolescents in mind. Consider trying Nerivio, a drug-free remote electrical neuromodulation (REN) wearable for acute and preventive treatment of migraine. It is an FDA-cleared, non-invasive prescription therapy for young adults ages 12 and older that can be performed at home, in class, or on the go.

Nerivio easily wraps around the upper arm and is controlled with an app. It uses non-painful stimulation to harness the natural power of the brain to shut off migraine pain and symptoms without drugs, needles, or disruption. There are even reminders on the Nerivio app not to skip preventive treatment!

Conclusion

Migraine shouldn’t rob your adolescent of the joy and celebration of prom and graduation season. With understanding, preparation, and open communication, you can help your young adult navigate these events more comfortably. Patience and flexibility are key. Empower your adolescent to listen to their body and take care of themselves, reminding them that it’s okay to prioritize their health above all else.