Children's Headaches: Recognizing Symptoms and Determining When to Consult a Physician
In the realm of childhood health, headaches are a common occurrence. Two primary types of headaches that children often experience are migraines and tension-type headaches.
Migraines in Children
Migraines in children can present differently than in adults, with recurrent headache attacks lasting between 4 to 72 hours, often moderate to severe in intensity, and may have a throbbing quality. Unlike adults, children's migraines are often bilateral (affecting both sides) and more frequently located in the frontal region. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light (photophobia) and sound (phonophobia), and possible aura symptoms such as transient visual disturbances. Children may also have migraine-related episodic syndromes like abdominal migraine, cyclic vomiting syndrome, and benign paroxysmal vertigo.[1][4]
Tension-Type Headaches
Tension-type headaches are the most common headaches in children and are often related to stress, fatigue, or minor viral illnesses. Symptoms typically include a diffuse or tight band-like pressure around the head with mild to moderate intensity. Unlike migraines, tension headaches usually lack nausea or aura symptoms.[2][3]
It's essential to note that while tension headaches are generally less severe and more common, migraines can include neurological symptoms such as numbness or weakness. Prolonged or very severe neurological symptoms may require urgent evaluation.[1][4]
Recognising and Managing Childhood Headaches
While most headaches are mild and go away in a few hours, symptoms such as ataxia, seizures, stiff neck, visual irregularities, confusion, being less alert or extremely sleepy, persistent vomiting, high fever, atypical blood pressure, breathing, or pulse rate, slurred speech, numbness or tingling, should prompt immediate medical attention.
For tension headaches, resting at home, taking a nap, eating balanced meals, and over-the-counter pain relief may help. However, parents should limit giving OTC medicines to no more than twice a week to avoid medication overuse headaches.[2]
Treating a headache depends on its cause. Adjusting elements like exercise, diet, and sleep, and avoiding triggers may help. If children wake up at night with headaches or have worsening headaches in the morning, this might indicate increased brain pressure and should be evaluated promptly.[3]
Prevalence and Demographics
One in five American school-aged children are prone to having headaches, with boys being more common before puberty, and girls becoming more common after puberty. Nearly half of children have recurrent headaches due to migraine.[5]
Diagnosis and Treatment
A child's doctor will ask about the frequency, severity, pattern, triggers, diet, routines, sleeping patterns, allergies, medicines, medical conditions, family history, recent injuries, and falls to understand the cause of headaches. Doctors may prescribe abortive and preventive medicines for migraine in children, depending on the frequency and severity of the headaches. They may also perform a physical exam, a neurological exam, and order blood and imaging tests such as a CAT or MRI scan, EEG, or consult with other specialists.[5]
Common Causes of Headaches
Dehydration, skipping meals, changes in sleep patterns, certain medications, hormonal changes, smoking, strong odors, light and sound disturbances, certain foods and beverages, and brain, head or neck trauma can cause headaches. Cluster headaches are more common in males than females in children.[5]
Nondrug Treatments
Nondrug treatments for tension headaches and migraine include deep breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation, yoga, counseling, and biofeedback.[5]
In conclusion, understanding the difference between migraine and tension-type headaches in children is crucial for proper management and timely medical intervention. While most headaches are harmless, it's always best to err on the side of caution and consult a healthcare professional if symptoms persist or worsen.
- Children, especially those prone to migraines, may experience a variety of symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound, often lasting between 4 to 72 hours.
- Pfizer, along with other healthcare professionals, may prescribe medicines for migraines in children, based on the frequency and severity of the headaches.
- Tension headaches, more common than migraines in children, are often related to stress, fatigue, or minor viral illnesses and are characterized by a diffuse pressure around the head.
- In the realm of children's health-and-wellness, understanding the causes of headaches like dehydration, certain medications, or smoke exposure can help prevent headaches and promote better health.
- Children experiencing atypical symptoms such as ataxia, seizures, or slurred speech should receive immediate medical attention for potential medical conditions like increased brain pressure or more serious health issues.
