If your little one has a headache, parents should not ignore it because the headache may be caused by neurological abnormalities or other headache-related conditions such as migraine.
What are the possible causes of your child’s headache?
- Primary headache is a group of headache symptoms without a specific cause, such as migraine, which is common, or tension headache.
- Secondary headache is a group of headache symptoms caused by neurological abnormalities that lead to headaches, such as tumors in the nervous system, infections in the nervous system, or abnormal blood vessels in the nervous system. These can all cause headaches as well.
If your child has these types of headaches, it is best to take them to see a doctor immediately
First, we need to check if your child has warning signs of dangerous secondary headaches. Doctors suggest remembering this simple phrase: when headaches occur together with “Severe, Weakness, Unsteady, Seizure, Vomiting,” which means
- Headache that progressively worsens, becoming so severe that normal activities cannot be performed or waking up in the middle of the night due to pain
- Weakness, unsteady walking, or seizures
- Double vision
- Vomiting
Additionally, if your child is very young and complains of headaches, especially children under 3 years old, this is another warning sign that you should promptly consult a doctor.
Common headaches found in children
Headaches in children are often primary headaches with no clear cause. However, most are hereditary, with family members often experiencing frequent headaches or having been diagnosed with migraines before. Most parents think migraines only cause one-sided headaches, but in reality, migraines in children can cause pain on one or both sides. Symptoms may include paleness, nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light and sound, and difficulty sleeping. Common symptoms include visual disturbances along with dizziness or vertigo. When the child is symptom-free, they appear as if they have never had any symptoms before.
How to care when “your child has a headache”?
If the headache is not caused by increased intracranial pressure and is classified as a primary headache, parents can care for their child, for example:
- In cases of mild headache where the child can still perform daily activities normally, parents can observe and monitor the symptoms initially. Try to assess if there are any triggers causing the headache, such as exposure to intense sunlight or loud noise, insufficient rest, or other accompanying illnesses like fever.
- If the headache is severe enough to affect activities, parents can give the child pain relief medication, such as paracetamol, which is safe, and ensure the child gets plenty of rest. If symptoms do not improve, consider seeing a doctor to find the true cause.
