Illnesses

When your child has a headache

“My head hurts.”

Headaches can be uncomfortable for your child, and raise concerns for parents. While most headaches pass within 24 hours, parents should be aware that headaches can sometimes be a sign of a more serious condition.

Types of childhood headaches
Most childhood headaches belong to one of two categories: tension headaches or migraine headaches. Tension headaches are more common in older children and adults. Muscular tension may be one cause, but stressful situations can trigger them, too. Migraine headaches usually run in families and seem to be caused by dilated blood vessels.

Other possible causes include problems with vision, sinuses or teeth. Very rarely, headaches may be a symptom of such life-threatening illnesses as meningitis, brain tumor or disorder of the blood vessels in the brain. If your child's headache is severe, call your physician right away.

When to call your doctor
Call your doctor if:

• The headache lasts more than 24 hours.
• Headaches occur again and again.
• Your child suffered a head injury.
• Your child wakes up at night with a severe headache.
• Your child is very lethargic or difficult to arouse.
• The headache is consistently worse after sleeping.
• Your child also has a high fever, stiff neck, confusion, seizures, persistent vomiting, difficulty walking or changes in vision.
• The headache gets worse or is severe.
• You feel your child needs to be seen by the doctor.

A headache journal
If your child has repeated headaches, your doctor may ask you to keep a journal to help determine the cause. Before you get started, let your child describe the headache in his own words. Don't be too eager to call normal aches and pains a headache. Realize that it may be hard for your child to describe headaches.

Write down:

• What time the headache begins and how long it lasts.
• Possible triggers: stressful situations, tiredness, certain foods, intense lights or noises, exercise or injury.
• Other symptoms: nausea, vomiting, changes in vision.
• Exact location of the pain (there may not be one site).
• If pain was relieved by medication and which medications were used.

Ways to help
Most headaches go away on their own. Your reassurance and comfort will go a long way toward making your child more comfortable.

Environmental triggers: If the headache is made worse by bright lights or loud noises, remove your child from that environment if possible. Let your child rest in a quiet, darkened room if he wants. Relaxing activities, coupled with reassurance, will help many headaches. If you child appears very ill or is difficult to arouse after a nap, call your physician.

Social triggers: Stressful classes at school or conflicts at home can be difficult to change. However, addressing and controlling these situations is much more effective than medication in the long run.

Medications: Medications that relieve pain are helpful in the short term.

• Acetaminophen (Tylenol or other brands or generic) is generally safe to use and should be the first medication tried. Do not give more than recommended dose or more often than every four hours. Liver problems can occur with an overdose.
• Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, other brands or generic) may be tried next, but not at the same time as acetaminophen. Do not give more than recommended dose, or more often than every six hours. Do not give to children who are dehydrated. Kidney problems and abdominal pain and bleeding are possible side effects.
• Aspirin is NOT recommended for children with headaches because of possible complications.
• If your child suffers from migraines, talk to your doctor about prescription medications that are available.

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Reviewed: Robert LaCamera, MD
Last revised:June 7, 2007 (dh)

Home page URL: http://www.ynhh.org

All information is intended for your general knowledge and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. You should seek prompt medical care for any specific health issues and consult your physician before starting a new fitness regimen.