A neurologist talks about kids and headaches

It’s not uncommon for a child to complain of a headache. But what should a parent do? When should you worry? What are features that are cause for concern and should prompt a call to the pediatrician, or even a trip to the emergency room? For kids with headaches, do they necessarily need to take medication, or are there other nondrug treatments that may be just as effective? When to call your pediatrician The cardinal rule for thinking about headaches is “first or worst.” In practical terms, if your child has never had a headache before, you need to evaluate carefully. Did he have any recent head trauma, such as a fall or a sports injury? Was she sick with a bad virus? Is he vomiting or or have a fever? Is she unable to walk, talk, and eat normally? If the answer to any of these questions is “yes,” it’s time to call the pediatrician. A concussion, a severe infection, or even a rare but more ominous cause for a headache could be the trigger. Many people worry about a brain tumor, but this is very unlikely. You should never be alone with worry about your child’s headache, and your pediatrician can help to steer you toward the best treatment. Kids can experience migraine headaches Children can and do get migraine headaches. The rate is estimated at 5.5%, but underdiagnosis may falsely lower the number. Think about migraine in particular if a parent has migraines, as there is a strong genetic link. Kids’ migraines are different than adults’: the pain can be on ...
Source: Harvard Health Blog - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Children's Health Headache Parenting Source Type: blogs