Is your child having frequent headaches?
Here are the red flags to look for.
In some cases, your child’s provider may not want you to wait to make an appointment.
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Is It Normal for Kids to Get Headaches?
Many children get headaches from time to time and some may have headache disorders.
Headaches in kids and adults can be grouped into two types: primary or secondary.
Primary headaches are not because of underlying health conditions.
For example,migraines,cluster headaches, andtension headachesare primary headaches.
Secondary headaches are less common than primary headaches.
They are resulting from another health condition or something wrong with the brain structure.
What Causes Pediatric Headaches?
We’re not really sure what causes headaches, exactly.
Migraines in Kids
If your child is having a migraine, they may become quiet or pale.
This is called amigraine with aura.
Common symptoms of a migraineinclude:
How Common Are Migraines in Kids?
They will ask you about your child’s health and the health of your family.
If they do want to run more tests, try not to panic.
For example, triptans are a prescription medication for migraines.
They act as a brain chemical to reduce pain signaling in the brain.
They are usually only used when OTC medications have not helped your child’s pain and other headache symptoms.
How Often Can I Give My Child Pain Medication for Headaches?
Medications to treat primary headaches, both OTC and prescription ones, should be used as little as needed.
Overusing the medications can causerebound headaches.
OTC drugs such as Advil should be given no more than three days a week.
Triptans should be used at most nine times per month.
How to Prevent Pediatric Headaches
you could’t always prevent pediatric headaches.
However, sometimes headaches in children can be a result of a serious underlying condition.
A Word From Verywell
If your child is getting headaches often, talk to their pediatrician.
For example, one sign is that the headache gets worse with physical activity.
Some children have a hard time describing their symptoms, especially if they are young.
Harvard Health Publishing.8 things to watch for when your child has a headache.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Headaches in children.
Cleveland Clinic.Migraines in children and adolescents.
