Headaches are not uncommon in children. When the blood vessels, nerves or chemicals in your child’s head undergo a change, he may experience a headache. Children can inherit the tendency to get headaches from parents. If you frequently suffer from headaches, your child may also be prone to them.
Types
Headaches come in many forms. Migraine headaches, tension headaches, cluster headaches and chronic daily headaches are the most commonly diagnosed. Migraine headaches aren’t limited to adults. However, adults tend to feel migraine pain in one side of their head, while children feel severe pain in their entire head. If your child is experiencing a tension headache, she may feel tired or lethargic. Cluster headaches return for days at a time. A doctor will diagnose your child with chronic daily headaches if she suffers from a headache more than half of the month for three months or more.
Symptoms
Head pain is the most obvious sign of a headache in a child. However, each type of headache has unique characteristics. Migraine headaches include severe head pain accompanied by vomiting, nausea, stomach pain, and sensitivity to sound and bright lights.
Tension headaches are characterized by a dull pain, as opposed to a throbbing pain. Tension headaches can be short-lived -- going away after 30 minutes -- or they can linger for days. They are characterized by tightness on both sides of your child’s head.
Cluster headaches come in episodes. Your child may experience sharp pain on the side of his head for a few minutes or a few hours. A few days later the pain may return. If the headaches come and go for days at a time, they are cluster headaches. Cluster headaches are also accompanied by congestion and restlessness.
Causes
Children, like adults, get headaches for many reasons. If your child is struggling to sleep at night, she may wake up with a headache. If she doesn’t eat well, is suffering from stress or is drinking too much caffeine, her head may throb. Girls who are experiencing menstruation can experience headaches. If your little one sits in front of the television or computer for too long, she may get a headache.
Headaches can also be a symptom of viral infections, ear infections or sinus infections. Likewise, if your child is being treated for an infection, she may suffer from a headache as a side effect of the medication.
Treatment
Like adults, children can take pain medication for headaches. However, consult your physician to determine the proper type and dosage of pain reliever. Keep track of your child’s headaches. If he suffers from headaches at least once a week or his headaches linger for days, consult his physician. Also consult a doctor If your child experiences a headache after a head injury, is vomiting repeatedly, or complains of neck pain or a fever.
