Headache

About Headaches

Children often suffer from headaches which are mostly caused by common infections (such as colds, sore throats, sinusitis or any other infections that cause fever), fatigue (from a lack of sleep), low blood sugar (due to a missed meal), or vision problems.

Children can also be affected by two other types of headaches: migraines and tension headaches.

Migraines are throbbing headaches which occur with other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and vision changes. The exact cause of migraines is not known but they tend to run in families.

Tension headaches are due to stress and/or anxiety. They are less common in children than adults.

It is not uncommon for children to have more than one type of headache, and this can cause some confusion for parents and caregivers.

It can be difficult to tell when your young child has a headache because he does not yet have the ability to tell you about his pain. However, there are some signs you can look for. When suffering from headaches, a child may seem uncomfortable, may cry more than usual, and in some cases, look paler and act quieter than usual. Also a child with a headache will usually hold his head.

Home treatment

There are many causes of headache, so before you can start treating it, you should first try to find out the cause. Once you know this, you can follow some of the treatments outlined below:

1. Tension headaches are generally caused by stress and anxiety, and in this case, pain medications may only provide a temporary solution. Finding out the cause of this stress is the first step toward getting rid of tension headaches for good, but it can be challenging. You can start by talking to your child about issues that may be stressful for him. 
2. Poor posture, especially when sitting, or the weight of a heavy school backpack can result in sore muscles in the neck and shoulders, and can cause "tension-like" headaches. Massaging these tender muscles can often relieve the pain. 
3. Give your child something to eat or drink if he is hungry and has not had anything to eat for more than three or four hours. In this case, low blood sugar levels could be the cause of the headache. These types of headaches can be easily prevented by: Making sure your child eats regular meals and stays well-hydrated. Making sure your child eats breakfast. Breakfast is particularly important as the first meal of the day. Giving your child healthy snacks in between meals. Offer your child a choice of fruits, vegetables, whole grain foods and low-fat dairy products as snacks. Avoid sugary snacks and candy, which actually can cause low blood sugar and headaches. 
4. If your child is involved with activities that demand intense concentration, teach him to take frequent breaks. These breaks can help prevent tension headaches. 
5. A headache that causes pain right over the forehead is usually due to sinus congestion. Sinus headaches usually are accompanied by cold symptoms like a runny nose, a cough and a fever. However, these types of headaches can also be cause by vision problems. If your child constantly complains of a headache over the forehead, make an appointment to see your doctor. If you suspect that your child has a vision problem, take him to see an eye specialist. 
6. Fevers can cause a headache, so check your child's temperature. If he has a fever, you can give him some fever-reducing medications which can help to get rid of the headache. 
7. A child with a migraine should be able to lay down in a dark and quiet room, regardless of whether he is at home, at daycare, or at school. Often children with migraines will want to sleep, since the headache is usually gone after the nap. 
8. If your child is prone to migraines, eating regular meals and getting enough sleep can help prevent them. 
9. Pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen can be given to a child for both migraine and tension headaches. These medicines should be taken as soon as the headache starts, and if your child is vomiting, you can give him the medication in suppository form. However, do NOT give your child aspirin or any aspirin-based medications. Aspirin has been linked to the development of Reye's syndrome, a rare but serious illness of the brain and liver. 
10. If your child is not getting better after taking the medicine, contact your doctor to discuss alternate medications or therapies. Some older children and youths have found acupuncture helpful as a treatment for migraines.

When to seek medical advice

See the doctor immediately or call 911 if:

• Your child's headache is so severe that he is not able to do anything 
• Your child's headache is accompanied by other symptoms such as unsteady walking, unclear speech or blurry vision. 
• Your child has both a headache AND high fever. 
• Your child's headache is accompanied by a stiff neck or vomiting. 
• Your child's headache is accompanied by reduced consciousness or extreme tiredness (lethargy). 

Make an appointment with your doctor if:

• Your child has a headache in the morning, or if he wakes in the middle of the night due to a headache. 
• Your child has a headache that lasts more than just a few hours, and does not go away when he is given pain-relievers, such as acetaminophen, or ibuprofen. 
• Your child complains constantly of headaches or has repeated attacks of severe headaches. 
• Your child's headaches interferes with his happiness, quality of life, schooling or other activities. 

 Before talking to the doctor, try to gather some information about your child's headaches. If possible, keep a diary or journal about the headaches: when they occur, how long they last, what the pain is like (throbbing, pressure, etc.), and whether any activities or positions make the pain better or worse. This information will help your doctor figure out what is causing your child's headaches.