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Headaches in Children
Last Updated: Sept. 1, 2003
More than 20% of children between the ages of 5 through 17 experience chronic headaches. Many parents are not aware that kids may be susceptible to chronic headaches because the common misconception is that headaches are an adult disease. Young children are often unable to effectively communicate their symptoms, making it difficult for parents to recognize that a recurring problem may exist.
Signs your child may be suffering from migraine or chronic headaches include:
- Experiences car or motion sickness
- Wakes up because of headache
- Headache severity increases or headaches occur more frequently
- Changes in temperament or personality
- Nausea, vomiting or stomach pain
- Headache goes away with rest
- Pain increases with physical activity
- Other family members experience migraine
In addition to consulting your physician, the National Headache Foundation encourages parents to try the following:
- Keep a diary of your child’s headaches
- Make sure your child gets plenty of sleep at regular times
- Avoid changes in your child’s eating routine
- Encourage open communication about your child’s fears or concerns that may be causing him or her stress
Treatment
Treatment is individualized depending on the age and reliability of the child and the frequency and severity of attacks. Interestingly, many have fewer and less distressing attacks after they are reassured that no serious abnormality exists.
In children younger than age 14 years with infrequent attacks, analgesics, antiemetics and sedatives are useful at the time of the attack. Narcotic analgesics should be avoided. Young children cannot be relied on to carry their own medication and take it at the start of the headache. If attacks occur more than once a month or are particularly distressing, prophylaxis should be considered.
Source: National Headache Foundation
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