What should I do for my child’s headaches?

Headaches aren't just for adults. About 1 in 5 school-age children and teensare also at risk. The most common type of headache in children is tension headache. But about 5% of children experience a migraine - some as early as 4 years of age.

You may fear that your child's headache is a sign of a more serious problem, such as a brain tumor. But this is not true for most childhood headaches. Say goodbye to your worries by monitoring your child's symptoms and talking to their doctor. Together you can find a cure and help your child learn to feel better.

What causes headaches in children and teens?

Most children get them as a result of an illness, infection (such as a cold), or a fever. For example, sinusitis (inflammation of the sinuses) and throat or ear infections can cause headaches.

Migraine is a different story. Doctors don't know exactly what causes them, but they do know that they are related to physical and chemical changes in the brain, as well as to genes that parents pass on to their children.

About 7 out of 10 children with migraine have a mother, father or brother with a history. Things like that — like fatigue, bright lights, and changes in the weather — can even trigger their attacks.

Other migraine triggers include stress, anxiety, depression, changes in sleep patterns, loud noises, or certain foods. Too much physical activity or too much sun can also cause migraines in some children. Girls can get them due to hormonal changes during their period. This type of headache is called menstrual migraine.

Common causes of tension headaches include emotional stress, eye strain due to poor vision, and neck or back strain due to poor posture.

Most headaches are harmless. But if they get worse over time and are accompanied by some other symptoms, they may be a sign of a more serious problem.

Call your doctor right away if any of these symptoms are accompanied by a headache:

Loss of vision
Vomiting
Muscle weakness
Any symptoms that cause your child to awaken during the night
In young children headaches located in the back of the head

Diagnosis

Your child's doctor will examine them and ask questions about headaches, including the type of pain, how often they occur, and if anything is making them better or worse. You and your child should be as specific as possible.

Usually, a doctor can make a diagnosis based on this information. Sometimes a CT scan or magnetic resonance imaging is needed to give the doctor more information. These imaging tests create detailed images of the brain that can show problem areas that may be causing headaches.

Once your doctor has identified the specific type of headache your child has, you can work together to develop a treatment plan to help him feel better.

Home treatments

If your child's headache is not accompanied by other symptoms, you may want to try home remedies or over-the-counter pain relievers first.

The following tips may help with tension headaches:

Have your child lie down with her head raised slightly
Take a hot bath or shower
Place a cold or warm compress on her forehead or neck

For a migraine:

Lie down in a quiet, dark room and relax. Close the curtains and keep the noise down.
Use a cold or warm compress.

One dose of over-the-counter acetaminophen or ibuprofen can relieve pain from tension headaches and migraines. Experts recommend giving these painkillers to your child at the onset of a migraine attack. Do not give it more than 2 days a week; this can lead to rebound headaches.

You may prefer to try natural headache remedies. Research shows that certain vitamins or herbs can help reduce pain or the frequency of headaches. They understand:

Vitamin B2. This supplement, also called riboflavin, can relieve pain and prevent some headaches. Side effects are rare but include diarrhea, the need to urinate more often than usual, and brighter yellow urine.
Magnesium. Teenagers with migraines have lower magnesium levels than other children. Taking this nutrient for several months may prevent some of these headaches. Magnesium supplements can cause diarrhea and interfere with certain medications, so check with your child's doctor before using them. You can increase your child's magnesium levels by adding more dark green leafy vegetables, beans, seeds, nuts, and whole grains to his diet.
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10). About a third of children with migraine lack this antioxidant, which is normally found in every cell in the body. There are no significant side effects in children. Mild gastrointestinal disturbances may occur, but are rare.

Always ask your pediatrician if a particular supplement is safe for your child before using it.

How do doctors treat headaches in children and teens?

Your doctor may recommend various headache treatments. What is best for your child will depend on the type of headache, frequency, cause, and age.

Some of the options your doctor may suggest may include:

Tracking symptoms: Create a headache diary to note factors causing your child's headaches such as lack of sleep, irregular meals, certain foods or ingredients, caffeine, environment, or stress. Once you know what triggers your child's headache, you can help him avoid it.
Stress management: For migraines and tension headaches, it is important that you and your child identify what is causing them. You can then help her find ways to deal with things that cause her stress.
Biofeedback: special sensors attached to the body monitor how the child reacts to a headache. Sensors record changes in breathing, pulse, heart rate, temperature, muscle tension and brain activity. This will help your child understand how their body physically reacts to stressful situations. This can help him learn to release and control the tension that causes the headache.
Massage: A massage performed by a qualified professional, combined with a healthy diet and regular exercise, will help your child relax. It can relieve muscle tension that can cause headaches.
Medications: Many medicines that treat headaches in adults are suitable in smaller doses for the treatment of headaches in children and teens. But never give aspirin to a child under 19. This can cause Reye's syndrome, a rare but fatal condition in young children. Your child may need prescription medicines for certain headaches, especially migraines. Some medicines treat the symptoms when they strike. Others help prevent future headaches.

Finding an effective headache treatment can take some time. Tell your doctor what works for your child and what doesn't.

What to expect when treatment starts

Start keeping a headache diary right away to track the effectiveness of medications and therapy. Bring the diary to your child's follow-up appointments so the doctor can check it and change the treatment plan if necessary.

If your child's symptoms worsen or occur more frequently even with treatment, ask your doctor to refer you to a headache specialist.

Do children outgrow headaches?

They may improve as your child grows. They may leave and then return later in life. In high school, many boys who have migraines outgrow them. But girls tend to have more headaches as they get older due to hormonal changes.