Headaches in children are frequent and typically not very significant though. Children, like grownups, can suffer from a variety of headaches, particularly migraines and tension headaches. Chronic everyday headaches can also affect children.

You might be concerned that your child’s headache is a symptom of something more severe, such as any serious health issue. However, this isn’t true for the majority of childhood headaches. Monitor your child’s signs and speak with their doctor to put your concerns to rest. You can work together to identify therapies and teach your child how to feel a bit better with every passing day.

Types of Headaches in Children and their symptoms

Migraine

Migraines can develop as early as during early childhood days. Nearly 20% of teenagers are said to suffer from migraine headaches. For men, the average age of onset is 7 years old, and for girls, it is around 10 years. Migraines are frequently passed down from families to their offspring. Some women may experience migraines that coincide with their menstrual cycles. While each child has distinct symptoms, the below ones are the most frequent migraine symptoms:

  • Headache – pulsating or throbbing type
  • Pain that worsens as a result of physical activity
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Pain in the abdomen
  • Extreme light and sound sensitivity

Cluster headaches

Cluster headaches are more prevalent in adolescent men and usually begin in youngsters over the age of ten. They’re not as common as migraines or tension headaches. Cluster headaches normally come in a series that lasts weeks or even months, and they can come back every year or two years. While each child’s symptoms may vary, the below ones are the most frequent signs and symptoms of a cluster headache:

  • Usually in groups of 5 or even more occurrences, with one headache every other day to eight a day.
  • Severe, piercing pain on one side of the head for less than 3 hours
  • congestion, a stuffy nose, or uneasiness

Tension Headaches in children

One of the most frequent types of headache is tension headache. Tension headache discomfort is frequently triggered by stress and emotional or mental turmoil. While each child’s symptoms may vary, the following are the most frequent physical symptoms of a tension headache:

  • A pressing stiffness in the head or neck muscles
  • Mild to medium nonplusing discomfort on both sides of the head 
  • Headache that isn’t preceded by nausea or vomiting, as migraine headaches.
  • Pain that is not caused by physical activity.

Causes

A majority of children get them as a result of a sickness, infection (such as a cold, or a fever. Sinusitis and infections of the throat or ear, for instance, can result in headaches. Migraine headaches, on the other hand, are a different type. Experts aren’t sure what causes them, but they’re related to physicochemical changes in the brain, as well as genes passed down from parents to their children.

Stress, worry, sadness, a change in sleep habits, loud noises, and some types of foods are all migraine factors. A migraine can also be caused by excessive physical activity or exposure to the sun in some children. Females can get them as a result of hormonal changes during their periods. Menstrual migraine is the name for this type of headache. Emotional trauma, eyestrain from poor eyesight, and neck or back pain from bad posture are all frequent causes of tension headaches.

Diagnosis

Your child’s neurologist will check them and ask them questions about their headaches, such as the sort of pain, the number of times they occur, and whether anything helps or worsens them. It will be necessary for you and your youngster to be as explicit as possible. This data typically allows the clinician to make a diagnosis. They may require a CT scan or an MRI to obtain additional information. These imaging techniques produce precise images of the brain that can reveal any parts of the brain that may be causing headaches.

Treatment

Medical treatment is based on correct diagnosis of the underlying cause or the type of headaches in children and may include:

  • Sleep in a dark, quiet setting.
  • Medications, as prescribed by your child’s physician
  • Stress reduction
  • Avoidance of known triggers, such as specific foods and drinks, sleep deprivation, and fasting
  • Changes in diet
  • Workout

Migraine headaches may necessitate the use of particular medications, such as:

  • Abortive medicines – Medicines that work on receptor sites in blood vessels in the brain and can stop a migraine in its tracks, as given by your child’s doctor.
  • Emergency medication- Analgesics (pain relievers) and other over-the-counter medications are used to treat headaches.
  • Preventive medicines – Daily medications provided by your child’s doctor to prevent the start of serious migraine headaches.

Bottom line

Some headaches in children may necessitate prompt medical intervention, such as monitoring, diagnostic tests, and comprehensive therapies. Treatment is tailored to the severity of the underlying medical condition that is leading to the headache in the kid. If your child is having any of the above symptoms then kindly contact your child’s pediatric neurologist immediately.