Headaches are typical in children, so when should you call the pediatrician?
Headaches are incredibly common in children, even as young as four years old. Only a small minority are due to a serious cause. They are often triggered by hormonal changes, certain foods, stress, anxiety, or sleep deprivation. Most children’s headaches are either migraine or tension-type headaches. These are typically caused by blood vessels and pain centers in the brain.
Migraine Basics
It’s important to ask your child about their symptoms to better assess the type and severity of the headache. With a migraine, it is common to have other symptoms in addition to headache. These are all expected symptoms and not inherently a cause of concern. Some of these symptoms include:
- Light and/or sound sensitivity
- Nausea and vomiting
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Irritability
During a migraine, the brain releases chemicals that inflame and irritate the nerves and vessels. This can make lights or sounds painful and more intense than typical. If your child suffers from regular migraines speak with their pediatrician about treatment.
It may be possible to prevent or relieve a migraine episode (or any headache) by following these recommendations:
- Drink plenty of water and avoid excessive caffeine.
- Sleep an adequate amount each night.
- Don’t skip meals, especially breakfast.
- Be mindful to minimize stress and anxiety.
- Rest in a quiet, dark place.
When to seek help?
Contact your pediatrician if your child’s headaches occur more than a few times a month, interfere with daily activities, and/or do not consistently improve with over-the-counter medications. If necessary, your child can be referred to an SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital pediatric neurologist for further assessment and treatment.
Seek immediate treatment if your child’s headaches suddenly increase in severity or frequency and are associated with weakness of one part of the body or have any other features that are concerning to you. Red flags to watch out for include:
- Headaches that change over time.
- An increase in frequency and/or symptoms.
- Visual changes or loss of vision.
- Weakness and/or loss of sensation.
- Waking up with a headache with or without vomiting.
- Confusion or difficulty thinking.