| Headache | 29.0000000000000 | Headache | Headache | H | English | Neurology | Child (0-12 years);Teen (13-18 years) | Head | Brain | Conditions and diseases | Caregivers
Adult (19+) | Headache | | 2019-07-22T04:00:00Z | | | | | | 8.00000000000000 | 57.6000000000000 | 847.000000000000 | | Health (A-Z) - Conditions | Health A-Z | <p>Your child may have a headache for a number of different reasons. Find out what these are and what you can do to help alleviate the pain.</p> | <h2>What is a headache?</h2>
<p>A headache is a pain, ache or throbbing sensation in any area of the head. Headaches are common in school-aged children and teenagers.</p>
| | <h2>Key points</h2><ul><li>Headaches in children are uncomfortable and may cause you to worry. They are rarely associated with a more serious medical condition.</li><li>Care for simple headaches by making your child feel comfortable. Give over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen or ibuprofen.</li><li>A doctor can help identify the cause of a recurrent or persistent headache and assess if there is a more serious medical condition.</li></ul> | | <h2>Signs and symptoms of headache</h2><p>A headache can feel like a sharp pain, throbbing sensation, or a dull ache. The pain may occur on one or both sides of the head.</p><p>Observe your child and ask about any associated symptoms, such as:</p><ul><li>changes in concentration, memory, or speech</li><li>weakness of an arm or leg</li><li>any vision or hearing changes</li><li>
<a href="/Article?contentid=30&language=English">fever</a></li><li>congestion, runny nose or muscle aches</li><li>nausea or
<a href="/Article?contentid=746&language=English">vomiting</a> (throwing up)</li><li>trauma or accidents</li><li>pain at the back of the head</li></ul><p>Make note of possible triggers relating to the headaches, such as:</p><ul><li>lack of sleep</li><li>skipping meals</li><li>
<a href="/Article?contentid=776&language=English">dehydration</a></li><li>stress</li><li>using video games or watching TV for a prolonged period of time</li><li>menstruation in girls</li></ul> | <h2>Causes of headache</h2>
<p>Headaches can be primary or secondary. Primary headaches do not have a serious underlying medical cause. This category includes tension-type headaches and migraines.</p>
<h3>Tension-type headaches</h3>
<p>A tension-type headache feels like there is a tight band around the head. They are usually mild to moderate in intensity and last anywhere from 30 minutes to several days. They are not associated with nausea or vomiting. Treatment involves emotional support and pain medication.</p>
<h3>Migraines</h3>
<p>Children can suffer from migraine headaches. Children who develop migraines are likely to have one or more relatives with migraines. Migraine headaches are usually recurrent. This means they come back repeatedly. They can last from two to 72 hours and are often described as feeling pulsatile.</p>
<p>Migraine headaches are associated with other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and sensitivity to noise and light. They are severe in intensity and often interfere with regular activities. Symptoms get worse with activity and improve with rest.</p>
<p>There are medications that can be used to prevent migraine headaches from recurring and medications to treat a migraine once it starts. Speak to your doctor for more details of these medications.</p>
<h3>Secondary causes of headache</h3>
<p>A secondary headache is caused by another medical condition that your child already has. There are many possible causes which include:</p>
<ul>
<li>minor illness (such as a cold) or major infection (such as meningitis)</li>
<li><a href="/Article?contentid=804&language=English">allergies</a></li>
<li>effects of medications</li>
<li><a href="/Article?contentid=766&language=English">head injury or trauma</a></li>
<li>sinus infection</li>
<li>elevated blood pressure</li>
<li>dental or TMJ (temporomandibular joint) problems</li>
<li>exposure to drugs or toxins</li>
<li>brain tumour</li>
<li>bleeding in the brain</li>
</ul> | | | | | <h2>Taking care of your child with a headache at home</h2><p>Your child may have a headache because they feel hungry. Offer your child some food to eat. A nap or resting in a calm and peaceful setting may also help your child feel better.</p><p>If the headache is very strong, you can offer your child pain medications such as
<a href="/Article?contentid=62&language=English">acetaminophen</a> or <a href="/Article?contentid=153&language=English">ibuprofen</a>. If your child has been diagnosed with migraine or recurrent headaches, give pain relief as soon as your child feels the headache coming on. This will help stop the headache early.</p><h2>Before going to the doctor <br></h2><p>If your child complains of repeated or recurring headaches, take them to the doctor. Before the appointment, take notes on the details of the headache, such as:</p><ul><li>the type of pain</li><li>the location of the pain (where it is)</li><li>how long the pain lasts (minutes or hours)</li><li>the time of day when your child feels the pain (morning, afternoon or evening)</li><li>triggers (Is there a bright light? Is it during a certain class at school?)</li><li>any treatment that helps lessen the pain</li></ul><p>If your child has recurrent headaches, record the timing of the headaches in a "headache diary." This helps the doctor find a pattern. </p> | | <h2>When to see a doctor</h2>
<p>Make an appointment with your child’s regular doctor if:</p>
<ul>
<li>headaches last longer than two days</li>
<li>headaches do not improve, or get worse, despite using acetaminophen or ibuprofen or other headache medicines<br></li>
<li>headaches affect your child’s usual habits or routines such as play, school, eating, drinking or sleeping</li>
<li>recurrent headaches happen more often or are worse than usual</li>
<li>recurrent headaches are not improving with recommended treatments and medications</li>
<li>the headaches are waking your child at night or are associated with vomiting</li>
</ul>
<p>Go to your nearest Emergency Department or call 911 if your child has a headache with the following symptoms:</p>
<ul>
<li>sudden severe pain in the head</li>
<li>a headache that gets worse or continues to come back following a head injury</li>
<li>dizziness, fainting or loss of consciousness</li>
<li>fever</li>
<li>stiff neck</li>
<li>nausea or vomiting (throwing up)</li>
<li>slurred or altered speech</li>
<li>weakness of a part of the body</li>
<li>difficulty sleeping</li>
<li>changes in vision</li>
</ul> | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | <h2>Virtual care services for children<br></h2><p>Boomerang Health was opened by SickKids to provide communities in Ontario with greater access to community-based services for children and adolescents. For more information on virtual care services in Ontario to support massage therapy, visit <a href="http://www.boomeranghealth.com/services/neurology/">Boomerang Health</a> powered by SickKids.<br></p> | | <img alt="" src="https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/AKHAssets/headache.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/AKHAssets/headache.jpg | headache | | | | | | Headache | | False | | | Headache | Your child may have a headache for a number of different reasons. Find out what these are and what you can do to help alleviate the pain. | | |
