What to do for your child's headache

Headache pain is one of the top three reasons children visit their pediatricians.  Experts estimate that about 40% of children have had at least one headaches by age 7.  That number swells to 75% by age 15.

A child's headache usually signals nothing more than tensions, fatigue, or sometimes a viral illness such as the flu.  But many parents fear the worst - a brain tumor? a blood clot? meningitis? - when their child's head hurts.  Here's what you need to know about childhood headaches.

IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTE:  Giving aspirin to children has been linked to a potentially fatal disease called Reye's syndrome.  If you give your child medication to relieve headache pain, choose acetaminophen or ibuprofen.  Check with your child's doctor if you have any concerns about giving your child a pain reliever.

When Does a Headache Signal an Emergency?

A child’s occasional headache seldom indicates a serious problem. But call the doctor if your child’s headaches:

• recur frequently or worsen
• intensify with exertion, such as coughing, sneezing, or a bowel movement
• are made much better or worse by a position change
• awaken your child from sleep
• are always located on one side
• prevent school attendance
• or affect personality.

Rarely, a child’s headache can signal a medical emergency. Seek immediate medical attention if your child’s headache:

• follows a head injury, especially if your child loses consciousness or vomits
• comes on suddenly, especially if it is severe
• is accompanied by any of the following symptoms:
  
  • fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, a stiff neck, and extreme sleepiness
  • convulsions
  • vision or speech disturbance
  • problems with coordination.

Common Causes of Headaches in Children

Many causes of headaches in children appear in the flowcharts that follow. Answer each question “yes” or “no.” Your answers will lead you to a possible cause of your child’s headache, along with recommended actions and self-care tips.

Your child may have more than one type of headache. For instance, some children experience both tension and migraine headaches. So review all the questions to see if more than one cause could be contributing to your child’s headaches.

Please note that these charts cannot substitute for a doctor’s care. Your child’s doctor can give you the most accurate diagnosis and treatment advice.

Stress: The Hidden Factor in Many Headaches

In children as well as adults, stress can bring on or intensify many types of headaches. These include the two most common childhood headaches, migraines and tension headaches. The following stress reduction techniques can help your child prevent or relieve stress, and may lessen your child’s headaches:

• Exercise regularly.
• Avoid skipping meals.
• Get enough sleep.
• Avoid overdoing extra-curricular activities.
• Take breathing or stretching breaks throughout the day.

Keeping a Headache Diary

Encourage your child to keep track of headaches. Doing so can help identify what may be causing the headaches and what helps them go away. In a headache diary, your child should note:

• when a headache occurs
• how long it lasts
• what your child was doing when the headache started
• what your child ate beforehand
• how much your child slept beforehand
• what your child did to treat the headache
• how effective the treatment was.