Headaches in Children

Children and teenagers also suffer from a variety of headaches, with most of the headaches caused by viruses, such as the common cold or flu.

When to Seek Help

Most parents might be concerned that their child’s headache could be due to something more serious, like meningitis or a brain tumor. To help ease your worries, a visit to the doctor is required if your child has a headache with the following symptoms:

- continuous vomiting
- irritability
- confusion
- lethargy
- breathing problems
- weak or rapid pulse
- not hungry or thirsty
- a stiff neck
- difficulty in walking
- personality changes

When a child who regularly suffers from headaches and has already been checked by a doctor suddenly complains that a particular headache is worse than usual, it is time for another visit to the doctor, especially if the child seems more ill with it. Common causes of headaches in children could be the following:

Upper Respiratory Infection

It is possible for a headache to be present if your child has a cold, sore throat or infected sinuses. If the headache becomes intense or worse, and the child starts to develop a fever, consult a doctor.

Migraines

Children can have something called a Classic Migraine, which doesn't start off with headaches. Rather, your child can first have frequent bouts of vomiting and an upset stomach, known as a gastric migraine. Over a period of months, this gastric migraine then develops into the classic headaches.

Similar to adults, children with classic migraine have the following symptoms:

- Feeling sick
- Being sick
- Blurry vision
- A headache on one side of the head
- Changes in sight and smell that signal a migraine is coming on, known as an aura


Children can also have Common Migraines, which may appear like ordinary headaches without the changes in vision or getting sick. Common migraines can be remedied with sleep. It is also quite common for kids with migraines to have other family members that have them.

Tension Headaches

Tension headaches are a type of headache that can also be frequent in children, which is probably an indication that they are stressed out. A tension headache is described as a dull ache that happens daily and do not go away at all with sleep.

Eyestrain

When children going to school usually complain of headaches and not being able to see the board properly, eyestrain is most probably the cause. A solution would be to have your child's vision checked. The headaches stop once the child 's vision has been corrected with the right lenses.

Meningitis

Meningitis is a type of dangerous infection. It is best to seek help immediately if you think your child may have meningitis. Common symptoms to watch out for are:

- Stiff neck
- Dislike for the light
- Fever
- Being sick
- Rash
- Rapid pulse
- Irritability
- Lethargy
- Seizures

Intravenous antibiotics will be given if the meningitis is bacterial, and careful observation will be required if it is found to be viral in nature.

Brain Tumor

Headaches caused by a brain tumor is probably every parent’s worst fear for their child. Some of the warning signs are:

- Suffering frequent or severe headaches than usual
- Vomiting
- Seizures
- Waking up with a headache each morning
- Having a headache that prevents the child from sleeping
- Having a headache that feels worse when lying down
- Having a headache that feels worse when coughing or sneezing
- Seeing double
- Problems with walking
- Personality changes

If you are concerned that your child's headaches may be caused by a brain tumor, have your child checked by a doctor who can make a full evaluation.

For more help on the prevention, treatment and remedies for migraines please see the Complete Guide To Migraine Headaches.