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What Do Excessive Sleeping And Headaches In A Child With Seizure Disorder Indicate?
Question: My son had about 5 or 6 seizures a year from the time he was 10 months up until he was 4. During that time he as taking triliptal and on 2 occasions during the seizures he stopped breathing and the perimedics were called. when he was almost 5 they stopped completely and he is now 8 and haven't had one since but for the last week have been complaining about a headache and not jumping around or being as active as usual. He now prefer to be alone or sleep anything to be unbothered. I don't know what to do.
Brief Answer:
Sounds like a migraine headache +/- aura, needs neurologist exam
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome.
Thank you for writing to us.
I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. I understand your concern and I should tell you that migraine headaches are very common in children who have had a previous history of seizures. I would recommend a visit to a paediatric neurologist or even a simple neurologist for the following:
+MRI brain
+Physical examination
+Comprehensive blood profile
+Electroencephalogram
As there are different types of headaches and even different types of migraine headaches, an accurate diagnosis will be required. I would also like to suggest you to avoid the following which can be triggering factors to the headaches:
+Lack of sleep
+Glare from glass, television screens, phone screens, etc.
+Cold food
+Physical exertion
+Stress
+Certain foods that contain a compound called tyramine like cheese, MSG, chocolates, nuts, etc.
+Avoid caffeine and products containing it
+Hunger
+High altitudes
+Reading
As your son has a history of seizures, we need to take extra care in avoiding them and avoiding any consequences that can be caused by them. I hope you find my response helpful. Please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications, I am always here to help.
Best wishes.
Sounds like a migraine headache +/- aura, needs neurologist exam
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome.
Thank you for writing to us.
I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. I understand your concern and I should tell you that migraine headaches are very common in children who have had a previous history of seizures. I would recommend a visit to a paediatric neurologist or even a simple neurologist for the following:
+MRI brain
+Physical examination
+Comprehensive blood profile
+Electroencephalogram
As there are different types of headaches and even different types of migraine headaches, an accurate diagnosis will be required. I would also like to suggest you to avoid the following which can be triggering factors to the headaches:
+Lack of sleep
+Glare from glass, television screens, phone screens, etc.
+Cold food
+Physical exertion
+Stress
+Certain foods that contain a compound called tyramine like cheese, MSG, chocolates, nuts, etc.
+Avoid caffeine and products containing it
+Hunger
+High altitudes
+Reading
As your son has a history of seizures, we need to take extra care in avoiding them and avoiding any consequences that can be caused by them. I hope you find my response helpful. Please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications, I am always here to help.
Best wishes.
Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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