The headaches in children It is a common phenomenon that, although most often is not associated with serious underlying problems, it can affect their daily lives.
“Children and adolescents, as well as adults, can develop various types of headaches, such as migraine and voltage headaches, while some cases are related to secondary causes, such as infections or trauma,” says Ioanna Kouri, pediatrician – pediatrician.
Types and causes of headache
“Headaches are distinguished in primary and secondary. To primary belong to the voltage headache, described as a sense of tightening around the head, and the migraine, which is characterized by pulsating pain, often accompanied by nausea, dizziness or vision disorders. The secondary Headaches are caused by underlying causes, such as infections, dehydration or even more rare conditions, such as tumors or intracranial bleeding.
Factors contributing to the appearance of headaches in children include the stress, her lack of sleep, dehydration and nutritional issues. The presence of headaches in family history is also a common feature, ”he points out.
Symptoms and recognition
Symptoms of a headache in children may be different from those of adults. For example, migraine in children often has a shorter duration. Recognizing the symptoms is more difficult in younger children, who find it difficult to describe what they feel. Recording the features of the headache, such as intensity, duration and occurrence, can help diagnose.
How to help your child
‘Occasional headaches can be relieved by simple measures, such as relaxation, good hydration, Massage on the neck or the use of a cool compress. In the case of more severe pain, paracetamol or other mild painkiller may be administered, always carefully and after a doctor’s advice. Frequent use of painkillers should be avoided, as it can lead to an increase in the frequency or intensity of headaches.
Preventive care includes healthy habits, such as maintaining regular sleep, proper nutrition and daily physical activity. Keeping headache calendar is useful for monitoring the causes and adjusting management. “
When to worry about
Medical evaluation is necessary if headaches:
- They wake the child from sleep
- Become more frequent or more intense
- Affect the child’s behavior or vision
- Occur after an injury
- Accompanied by persistent vomiting, fever or neck pain
- Do not respond to ordinary relief measures
“Headaches are frequent in children and usually do not indicate serious problems. However, early recognition of causes and the implementation of preventive measures can improve their quality of life. In persistent cases, the advice of a specialist pediatric neurologist is decisive, ”concludes Mrs Kouris.