What Is A Child Headache?

A child headache is common, but typically aren't real serious. Just like us grown ups, your little ones can acquire various sorts of head aches, such as migraines or stress-related (tension) head aches.

It's vital to monitor your child's head ache signs and symptoms and to check with your physician if the headache gets worse or happens regularly.


Symptoms

Again, headaches in children are similar to kinds of head aches that we grown ups get but, their signs and symptoms could be different.

For instance, your migraine nearly always affects one side of your head, while a migraine headache in child usually affects each side of their heads.


Migraines in children can bring about:

  • Head pain
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Stomach pain
  • Severe levels of sensitivity to light and sound

Even your baby can have migraine headaches. A child who's too young to inform you of what's wrong might cry and hold his or her head to signify serious pain.


Tension-type headaches are generally known by the following attributes:

  • A pressing tightness that takes place on each side of their head
  • Discomfort that's typically a lot more dull than pounding
  • Pain that's not made worse by physical exercise
  • A headache with no nausea or vomiting
  • Can last from 30 mins to a number of days

Telltale clues might include things like withdrawal from regular play and a wish to snooze a lot more.



Cluster headaches

Cluster head aches are rare in young children less than 10 years old.They typically happen in groups of 5 or more attacks, varying in rate from a single headache just about every other day up to 8 a day.

They include a sharp, stabbing pain on a single side of the head that persists from 15 mins to 3 hrs.

Are accompanied by teariness, congestion, drippy nose, or a increased feeling of uneasiness or anxiety.


When to see your physician

Most head aches aren't really serious, but get immediate medical attention if your child's head aches:

  • Happen once a week
  • Follow an injury, like a whack to their head
  • Are connected to constant nausea, vomiting or vision changes
  • Are accompanied by a fever, combined with neck pain or stiffness


Triggers

A quantity of elements, singly or in combo, can trigger your youngster's head aches. Some of these variables include things like:

  • Common ailments like a cold or flu virus, ear and sinus infections
  • Meningitis or Encephalitis
  • Head injuries
  • Stress and anxiety
  • Depression
  • Caffeine


Hereditary predisposition. Head aches, in particular migraine headaches, have a tendency to run in family members.

Nitrates - a type of food additive identified in such food items as bacon, bologna and hot dogs. Also, monosodium glutamate (MSG).


Risk Factors of a Child Headache

Any kid can acquire a child headache, but they're far more frequent in: Girls soon after they get to the age of puberty and young children who have a family record of head aches or migraines



So, as a loving parent, what can you do to help prevent or treat a child headache?

Start with maintaining a headache journal. Write down your child's signs and symptoms, when they happened and how long they lasted.

Make a checklist of all prescription drugs, as well as any nutritional vitamins or dietary supplements, that your little one is using.

Some simple questions include things like:

  • What is most likely triggering the signs and symptoms?

  • Are lab tests required ?

  • Does my little one require prescription medications, or would an over-the-counter medicine do the job?

  • What can we do at home to protect against head aches?

In response, you doctor might ask:

  • When did the child headaches start?

  • How frequent are the headaches and how long do they last?

  • What, if anything, tends to make it better or worse?

  • Have the signs and symptoms changed over time?

While waiting for your child's doctor's appointment, put a cool, damp towel on their forehead and encourage them to nap inside a dimly lit, peaceful area.

Also, think about offering them an over-the-counter pain medication like, Tylenol, or Advil to relieve symptoms.



As we all know, a little bit of prevention is a whole lot better than a whole lot of treatment.

The examples below could help your child avoid head aches or at least decrease the severity of their headaches:

  • Practice healthy habits. These life-style options consist of getting lots of sleep, keeping active, maintaining a healthy diet, and steering clear of caffeinated drinks.

  • Decrease stress. Be aware of things which could cause stress in your child's life, like trouble doing homework or strained interactions with friends.


These are just a few tips to help you help your youngster overcome the pain from child headaches.

This information by no means should take the place of sound medical advice from your doctor, but use it as a starting point down the path of pain relief.

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