Headaches In Children

Children often get headaches, and most of the time, they're not a big deal. Just like adults, kids can have different kinds of headaches. These might be migraines, which can cause throbbing pain, or tension headaches, linked to stress. Sometimes, children even have headaches every day, which we call chronic daily headaches.

Sometimes, a headache in a child could be caused by a sickness, a lot of stress or worry, or a bump on the head. It's a good idea to watch for any changes in your child's headaches. If the headaches become more intense, happen more often, or seem different than usual, you should take your child to a doctor.

Most headaches in children can be helped by common pain relievers you can buy without a prescription, and by making sure they're getting enough sleep and eating regularly.

Children can have the same types of headaches as adults, but the signs might be different. For example, a grown-up migraine often lasts at least four hours, but a child's might not. This difference in how long the pain lasts, and other symptoms, can make it hard to tell what kind of headache a child has, especially a younger child who can't clearly explain what's happening. Generally, though, certain signs are more common with certain types of headaches. For instance, some headaches might be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, or sensitivity to light and sound, while others might not. These differences in symptoms can make diagnosing headaches in children a bit more challenging.

Many headaches in children aren't a cause for major concern. However, it's important to get medical help right away if your child's headache:

• Keeps them awake. If a headache is so intense that it wakes your child from a sound sleep, it needs immediate attention.
• Gets worse or happens more often. A headache that's growing stronger or happening more frequently than usual could be a sign of something more serious.
• Changes how your child acts. If your child's headache is accompanied by changes in their mood, personality, or behavior, this warrants a doctor's visit. For example, if your normally happy child becomes irritable or withdrawn.
• Follows an injury. A head injury, even a seemingly minor bump or blow, can sometimes lead to serious headaches. It's crucial to get medical advice if this happens.
• Includes persistent vomiting or vision problems. If your child is throwing up repeatedly because of the headache, or if their vision changes, these are serious symptoms that require prompt medical attention.
• Comes with a fever and pain or stiffness in their neck. A headache accompanied by fever, stiff neck, or pain in the neck area is a sign of potential infection or other serious conditions and needs immediate evaluation by a doctor.

If you have any worries about your child's headaches, or have questions, don't hesitate to talk to their doctor. Early diagnosis and treatment can be vital in managing and resolving the issue.

Headaches in children can have several different causes. Here are some common reasons:

• Sickness: Colds, the flu, ear infections, and sinus infections are frequent culprits behind childhood headaches. Less often, more serious illnesses like meningitis or encephalitis can cause headaches. If your child has a headache along with other symptoms like fever, stiff neck, or confusion, seek immediate medical attention.

• Head bumps and injuries: Falls or blows to the head can lead to headaches. Most head injuries are minor, but if your child has a significant fall or a hard blow to the head, get them checked by a doctor right away. If the headache gets progressively worse after an injury, don't hesitate to contact a doctor.

• Stress and emotions: Worries, anxiety, or problems at school, with friends, or at home can cause headaches in children. Sometimes, children with depression may complain of headaches, especially if they struggle to express feelings of sadness or loneliness.

• Family history: If headaches, particularly migraines, are common in your family, your child may be more prone to them. This is because some people are genetically more susceptible to headaches.

• Foods and drinks: Certain foods and drinks can trigger headaches in some children. Preservatives like nitrates, found in processed meats like bacon and hot dogs, can be a headache trigger. The food additive MSG can also cause headaches in some. Too much caffeine, found in sodas, chocolate, and some sports drinks, can also be a problem.

• Brain issues: Very rarely, a brain tumor, an abscess, or bleeding in the brain can cause a persistent headache that gets worse over time. If a child has a headache along with other symptoms like vision problems, dizziness, or trouble with coordination, it's important to seek medical attention. It's crucial to remember that these severe cases are unusual and often accompanied by other noticeable signs.

Headaches can happen to any child, but some groups are more likely to experience them:

• Girls after puberty: Hormonal changes during puberty can sometimes trigger headaches. This is why headaches are more common in girls after they start their periods.
• Children with a family history: If headaches or migraines run in a family, a child is more likely to develop them. This suggests a possible genetic link and that some people are more susceptible to these types of pain.
• Older teens: As teens get older, various factors like stress, lifestyle changes, and even sleep patterns can increase the risk of headaches.

Helping Your Child with Headaches: Simple Steps to Relief

Headaches in kids can be frustrating, but there are ways to help prevent them or lessen how bad they are. Here are some helpful strategies:

1. Healthy Habits for a Healthy Head: Just like adults, kids benefit from healthy habits that support overall well-being. This includes:

• Plenty of sleep: Ensuring your child gets enough sleep is crucial. A tired child is more likely to get a headache.
• Regular exercise: Physical activity is good for the body and mind, helping to reduce stress and tension that can trigger headaches.
• Balanced meals and snacks: A healthy diet, rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, supports good health and can help prevent headaches. Avoid skipping meals, as this can sometimes lead to headaches.
• Hydration: Drinking plenty of water is essential for overall health and can help prevent headaches. Aim for at least eight glasses a day.
• Limiting caffeine: Too much caffeine can sometimes trigger headaches in children. Be mindful of drinks and foods containing caffeine.

2. Managing Stress: A stressful environment or a busy schedule can make headaches more common. Pay attention to possible stressors in your child's life, such as:

• School difficulties: Problems with schoolwork or studying can be very stressful.
• Social problems: Tension with friends or difficulties in social situations can cause stress.
• Emotional well-being: If you suspect anxiety or depression might be contributing to the headaches, talk to a doctor or counselor.

3. Keeping a Headache Diary: Tracking headaches can help you understand what might be causing them. Write down:

• When the headache started: Note the time.
• How long it lasted: Record the duration.
• What seemed to help or worsen it: Did any activity, food, or drink make the headache better or worse?
• Any medication used and its effect: How did different medications affect the headache?

This detailed record will help you recognize patterns and pinpoint potential triggers.

4. Avoiding Triggers: Once you have a better understanding of what might be triggering your child's headaches, you can take steps to avoid those triggers. Your headache diary is a valuable tool here. If certain foods or drinks seem to be a problem, avoid them.

5. Following Your Doctor's Advice: If your child's headaches are severe, frequent, or interfere with daily life, talk to a doctor. They might recommend preventive medications. Sometimes, regular use of certain medicines, such as antidepressants, anti-seizure medications, or beta-blockers, can help reduce the frequency and severity of headaches.

Remember, this information is for general knowledge and does not replace professional medical advice. Always consult your child's doctor for diagnosis and treatment of headaches.

To understand why your child has headaches, the doctor will likely do the following:

If your child is healthy otherwise, and headaches are the only problem, more tests are usually not needed. But in some cases, scans and other checks can help find the cause or rule out other medical issues that might be causing the headaches. These tests might include:

• Talking about the headaches: The doctor will ask you and your child detailed questions about the headaches. They want to know if there's a pattern or anything that seems to trigger the headaches. Keeping a headache diary for a while can help you record more information, such as how often the headaches happen, how bad they are, and what might be making them worse.

• Physical check-up: The doctor will do a physical exam. This usually includes checking your child's height, weight, head size, blood pressure, and pulse. They will also examine your child's eyes, neck, head, and spine.

• Neurological check-up: The doctor will check for any problems with movement, balance, or how your child feels things. This helps determine if there's a neurological issue.

• MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging): An MRI uses a powerful magnet to create detailed pictures of the brain. These detailed images can help doctors see if there are tumors, strokes, problems with blood vessels (like aneurysms), infections, or other brain issues.

• CT (Computed Tomography) Scan: A CT scan uses X-rays to create cross-sectional images of the brain. These images can help doctors see if there are tumors, infections, or other problems that might be causing the headaches.

• Lumbar Puncture (Spinal Tap): If the doctor suspects something like meningitis (a bacterial or viral infection of the brain and spinal cord) might be causing the headaches, a spinal tap may be recommended. A thin needle is used to take a small sample of fluid from around the spinal cord for testing in a lab. This helps determine if an infection is present.

Treating Headaches in Children

Headaches in children can often be managed at home. Rest, a quieter environment, plenty of fluids, healthy meals, and over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers are usually helpful. If your child is older and has frequent headaches, learning relaxation techniques and stress management through therapy can also be beneficial.

Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers:

Acetaminophen (like Tylenol) or ibuprofen (like Advil or Motrin) are common options for relieving childhood headaches. Take them as soon as you notice a headache starting.

Important Note: Children recovering from chickenpox or the flu should never take aspirin. Aspirin has been linked to a rare but serious condition called Reye's syndrome in these children. If you have any concerns, talk to your doctor.

Prescription Medications:

For children over 6 years old, triptans are prescription drugs that can effectively treat migraines. If your child also experiences nausea or vomiting with migraines, your doctor might prescribe an anti-nausea medication. The best medication approach is different for each child, so talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Important Considerations about Medications:

Taking too many pain relievers can actually cause headaches (called medication overuse headaches). Over time, some medications may not be as effective. All medications have potential side effects. If your child takes medication regularly, including OTC drugs, discuss the risks and benefits with their doctor.

Stress and Headaches:

While stress itself doesn't cause headaches, it can make them worse or trigger them. Depression can also play a role. For these situations, your doctor might recommend therapies to help manage stress and improve coping mechanisms.

Relaxation Techniques:

Relaxation techniques can help children cope with headache triggers. These include:

• Deep Breathing Exercises: Slow, deep breaths can calm the body and mind.
• Yoga and Meditation: These practices can promote relaxation and reduce stress.
• Progressive Muscle Relaxation: This involves tensing and releasing different muscle groups to relieve tension throughout the body. Older children can learn these techniques through classes, books, or videos.

Biofeedback:

Biofeedback helps children learn to control their body's responses to reduce pain. During biofeedback sessions, your child is connected to devices that monitor their body functions (like muscle tension, heart rate, and blood pressure). With practice, your child can learn to manage these responses and relax.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT):

CBT is a type of talk therapy that can help children identify and change negative thought patterns related to stress. A counselor can teach your child healthier ways to cope with stressful situations and improve their overall outlook, which can help reduce headache frequency and severity.

Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen (like Advil or Motrin) can often help kids with headaches. But it's important to use them safely.

Here's how to use them correctly:

• Follow the directions carefully. Always check the label to make sure you're giving the right amount of medicine for your child's age and weight.
• Don't give it too often. Don't give your child more medicine than the label recommends, and don't give it more than a couple of times a week. Giving it too often can actually cause more headaches, called medication overuse headaches.
• Don't overuse OTC pain relievers. Limit how often you give your child these medicines. Taking them every day can increase the risk of a headache triggered by using too many pain medicines.
• Important note about aspirin: Never give aspirin to children or teenagers who are recovering from chicken pox or the flu. Aspirin has been linked to a rare but serious condition called Reye's syndrome in these children. If you have any questions or concerns, talk to your doctor.

Besides medicine, there are other things that can help:

• Rest and a quiet environment. Encourage your child to rest in a dark, quiet room. Often, just getting some sleep can help a headache go away.
• Cool compress. A cool, wet cloth on their forehead can help ease discomfort.
• Healthy snacks. If your child is hungry, a small, healthy snack like fruit, whole-wheat crackers, or low-fat cheese can help. Being hungry can sometimes make headaches worse.