Headaches in children

What is a pediatric headache?

Headaches are fairly common among children and teens of all ages. Headaches are one of the top five health problems that affect children, with 40 percent of children suffering from headaches by age seven and 75 percent by age 15. Most headaches are harmless, but if they persist and get worse over time, they could be a sign of a serious problem, such as a brain tumor (very rare). Most head pain is harmless, and will usually go away on its own.

You should take your child to a doctor immediately if they experience any of the following symptoms in combination with a headache:

• Any symptoms that cause your child to wake up during the night

• Flashes of light

• Loss of vision

• Muscle weakness

• Sensitivity to light and sound

• Vertigo (feeling that the room is spinning)

• Nausea and Vomiting

What are the different types of pediatric headaches?

The most common type of headache that children experience are tension headaches (stress headaches).

Other types include:

• Sinus headaches - If your child has a cold or allergies, the openings of his or her sinuses may be blocked mucus or swollen tissue. The pressure caused by swelling and congestion causes sinus headaches. Some symptoms of a sinus headache are pain or pressure in the forehead or around the eyes and cheeks, or tender areas over and under the eyes. When your child blows his or her nose, bends down, or jumps, the headache may get worse.

• Migraines (especially severe headaches that seem to run in families and may be caused by physical and chemical changes in a child’s brain). Migraines occur when blood vessels in the brain constrict temporarily. Children with migraines may experience pain that affects the whole head; attacks lasting from less than an hour to several hours; nausea or vomiting that lasts after head pain subsides; abdominal pain and/or car sickness; a sudden start to severe pain; sensitivity to light and noise; dizziness; lack of energy; and blurred vision.

• Cluster headaches

• Concussion-related headaches

• Headaches with unknown causes or mixed classification

• Medication overuse headaches is a disorder that occurs when taking too much headache medications.

How are pediatric headaches diagnosed?

When your child visits his or her provider, or comes in for an evaluation at the Children’s Health Headache Clinic, we will:

• Ask you and your child to describe his or her headache history in order to identify patterns, common symptoms, and possible triggers

• Conduct a physical exam to check for muscle tightness and postural problems, high blood pressure, and other issues that could trigger headaches

• Conduct a neurological exam to see if your child is having any problems with coordination, movement, or sensation

If your child passes these tests, is otherwise healthy, and shows common symptoms – no further tests are needed.

Your provider may recommend:

• Lifestyle modifications concerning sleep, diet, and exercise

• Over-the-counter pain medications, as needed

• Avoidance of dehydration by drinking enough water

• Stress management

In some cases, the provider may order imaging scans to pinpoint a diagnosis or rule out other medical conditions.

These tests can include:

• Computerized tomography (CT) scan - to diagnose or rule out tumors, infections, and other medical problems

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) - to examine the blood vessels of the brain and/or diagnose or rule out tumors, strokes, aneurysms, neurological diseases, and other brain abnormalities

• Spinal tap (lumbar puncture) - to test for bacterial or viral meningitis, if your child is experiencing a high fever and neck pain/stiffness

What are the causes of pediatric headaches?

Common causes of headaches in children include:

• Emotional stress

• Eye strain due to poor vision

• Fever

• Illness

• Infection, such as a cold or sinus infection

• Minor head trauma

What are the common triggers of pediatric headaches?

Common triggers for migraines include:

• Anxiety

• Bright lights

• Certain foods

• Change in sleep patterns

• Changes in weather

• Depression

• Fatigue

• Stress

• Too much physical activity

• Too much sun exposure