Headache in children; Types, causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment

5/10/2024
7 minutes

Headache in children is an issue that is seen in abundance among children and definitely causes a lot of worries for parents. This pain is very annoying and is common among children less than 10 years old. The cause of headache in children is different from that of adults and in most cases it is related to a cold, so there is no need to worry. If children face this disorder, the doctor must find the cause of this pain in the first place. If you want to know the causes of headache in children, how to diagnose it and the treatment methods of this disorder, stay with us until the end of this article.

Headaches in children

Many people think that children do not get headaches and if such a disorder occurs, it is a sign of a dangerous disease. It should be noted that children also sometimes suffer from headaches. In general, about 90% of children's headaches are not dangerous and are only caused by respiratory and viral diseases. According to research, 1 out of every 5 school-age children and adolescents will be susceptible to headaches. One of the most common types of headaches in children is tension headaches. About 5% of children suffer from migraine headaches. Some children have experienced migraine headaches since the age of 4. In this case, it is necessary to best pediatrician for See more review.

Types of headache in children

In general, children's headaches can be divided into two groups, which include the following.

Migraine headache in children

Even babies and children may suffer from migraine headaches, whose symptoms are as follows.

Nausea and vomiting
Pale color
Pulsing headaches that are sometimes unilateral and sometimes bilateral.
Headache that gets worse with physical movements.
Headache that gets worse with exposure to light and sound.
A change in vision that is associated with seeing uneven lines, black spots, or colored halos.

Tension headache in children

The symptoms of tension headaches in children are usually different from the symptoms of migraine headaches. The most common symptoms of tension headaches include the following.

Feeling of stiffness and pressure on both sides of the head or neck
Tension headache does not become more intense with physical activities.
This type of headache will not cause nausea and vomiting.

Causes of headache in children

The causes of headache in children are different according to the type of headache. In general, this disorder includes primary and secondary headaches, which we will now examine the causes of each of them.

Primary headache

Primary headaches include migraine and tension headaches. Primary headaches do not indicate dangerous diseases. Among the causes of this type of headache, the following can be mentioned.

Dehydration
Not sleeping well or insufficient sleep
Remove meals
Stressful factors such as being bullied at school or learning difficulties

Secondary headache

Among the causes of secondary headaches, the following can be mentioned.

Diseases: Some diseases such as sinus infections or flu will lead to headaches in children.
Overuse of drugs: Overuse of certain drugs will cause headaches in children.
Side effects of drug use: Taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen to control headaches more than three times a week causes this disorder in children.
Congenital differences in the structure of the brain: Usually, congenital differences in the structure of the brain do not cause problems, but sometimes they cause headaches and other symptoms.

Sometimes children's headache is a sign of a more serious disease such as the following.

Meningitis
brain tumor
cerebral hemorrhage
Blow to the head

Headache symptoms in children

Symptoms of headache in children are diverse and vary from one disease to another.

Moderate to severe pain on both sides of the head
· Sensation of stretching neck and head muscles
· One-sided headache

Diagnosis of headache in children

If the child can explain his conditions to the doctor, it becomes easy for the specialist to diagnose this disorder. In fact, when parents take their children to the doctor to diagnose this condition, the doctor first inquires about the patient's history and conducts a physical examination.

For this purpose, the doctor will ask the parents about the severity of the headache, the duration of the headache, the mental condition of the child, and the medical history of the child. Also, the doctor should also fully examine the child's sleep patterns and behavioral and personality patterns in order to be able to evaluate the child's condition well.

The next step is for the doctor to prescribe tests to ascertain the cause of the disease. In fact, the tests that help diagnose headaches in children are as follows.

blood test
CT scan
MRI
Polysomnogram

Treatment options for headaches in children

Methods for treating children's headache are different depending on whether the headache is primary or secondary, which we will explain below.

Primary headache treatment

The first treatment is that the doctor prescribes headache-relieving drugs to relieve the patient's pain after an hour. Most primary headaches are relieved by taking pain relievers such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen. Drinking plenty of water along with medicine can also be very effective.

It is very important to treat this type of headache as soon as possible, because it takes time to recover if it becomes severe. Avoid taking painkillers without a doctor's prescription and more than 2-3 days a week. If the headache is not relieved by pain relievers, your doctor may prescribe medications such as triptans. Since headache also causes nausea and vomiting, the doctor prescribes anti-nausea drugs to control this condition. Sometimes it is necessary to go to the emergency room due to the long duration of the headache.

Treatment of secondary headache

In secondary headaches, it is necessary to treat the underlying problem of this disorder. For example, if the cause of this headache is an infection, the doctor should prescribe drugs to eliminate the infection.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the treatment of children's headache related to their age?

Treatment of headaches in children under 6 years of age is usually different from that of older children. The doctor prescribes the best medicine according to the patient's age.

What measures can be taken to prevent headaches in children?

Having regular and sufficient sleep, exercising and managing stress and anxiety

Is there a relationship between children's headache and corona?

Usually, children who get corona will also face headache in addition to sore throat, nausea, diarrhea, etc.

Conclusion

Headache in children is a disorder that may affect children at different ages and for different reasons. If the duration and severity of this disorder is prolonged, you should see a doctor as soon as possible. If parents notice any symptoms of headache in their children, they should consult a neurologist or a pediatrician to diagnose the exact cause of this disease. Choosing an experienced specialist to treat children's headaches is very important.