Playing too long in the sun, bumping the head, and stress are just a few
of the things that can cause headaches.
Infections and illness can cause headaches.
Headaches are a common side effect to many kinds of medication.
Children often describe ear infections and sinusitis as a headache.
Certain food and drinks can sometimes cause headaches.
Headaches can result from too little sleep.
Who can get a headache?
Both children and adults can get headaches.
What are the symptoms of a headache?
Children will complain that their head hurts.
Headaches usually cause mild to moderate pain.
They can last from 30 minutes to 7 days.
Toddlers, who can't tell you how they feel, may cry, turn pale, bang their
head, or vomit.
How is a headache treated?
Most headaches can be treated at home.
Acetaminophen, such as Tylenol, or ibuprofen,
such as Advil, are often given to treat pain.
Do not give aspirin to children under age 16 before talking to your doctor
first.
Keep a record of your child's headaches. Write down how long they last and
what you think might have caused it.
Have your child take a nap in a cool, dark room.
How can headaches be prevented?
Make sure that your child gets enough sleep and eats healthy.
Help your child relax as soon as symptoms begin.
Keep a record of your child's headaches and avoid activities that seem to
trigger them.
If your child sees a doctor for his headaches, make a follow-up appointment
to make sure the treatment is working.
What about migraines?
Both children and adults can get migraines.
Like headaches, migraines can be caused by many things, including stress,
illness, or infection.
Migraines cause severe throbbing, pounding pain in the head.
Migraines can also cause a spinning feeling that begins suddenly and lasts
only minutes. This symptom is common in toddlers.
Migraines can cause visual changes, such as seeing bright lights followed
by "black holes" or sensitivity to light.
Migraines can last from 2 to 72 hours.
Migraines tend to run in families.
When should I call the doctor?
Call if your child has headaches and seems ill or has signs of infection.
Call if he has visual changes, feels tingly, is weak, has a fever, or seems
confused while he has the headache.
Call if your child cannot do his regular activities because of headaches,
such as going to school or playing sports.
Call if your child has severe pain or the headache makes him cry, hold his
head, or unable to move a part of his body.
Call if you have questions or concerns about your child's condition.
Quick Answers
Headaches can be caused by many different things, such as illness, stress,
or infection.
Both children and adults can get headaches.
Headaches usually cause mild to moderate pain.
Acetaminophen, (link?) such as Tylenol, or ibuprofen (link?), such as Advil,
are often given to treat pain.
Keep a record of your child's headaches and avoid activities that seem to
trigger them.
Migraines cause severe throbbing, pounding pain in the head.
Call if your child cannot do his regular activities because of headaches,
such as missing school or playing sports.
References
Hammond D MD and Izenberg N MD. When Kids Get Headaches. KidsHealth. 2001
September (cited 2001 November 21). Available from: URL: http://www.kidshealth.org/PageManager.jsp?dn=KidsHealth&lic=1&ps=107&cat_id=&article_set=22921
MayoClinic. Brain and Nerves. 2001 February 15 (cited 2001 November 21).
Available from: URL: http://www.mayoclinic.com/invoke.cfm?id=HQ00428&printpage=true
MayoClinic. Migraines in Children. 2001 September 5 (cited 2001 November
21). Available from: URL: http://www.mayoclinic.com/invoke.cfm?id=HQ01087&printpage=true
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