What Causes Headaches in Children

Painful feeling in the head is experienced very commonly, irrespective of the age group. Children do experience headache in the same way as adults. It can be mild, migraine related or stress-triggered pain in the head portion. For parents, nothing can be more disturbing than seeing their child in pain. Understanding what causes headaches in children is necessary to find out appropriate solutions for relieving pain symptoms.

Headaches in Children: What are the Causes?

Headache is not a disease by itself, rather this painful condition is a referred sign of other medical problems. Hence, headache causes are many, and it is very difficult to determine the exact reason. According to a survey report, more than 70 percent girls and 56 percent boys (in the age group 12 - 17 years) experienced headache in the past month. So, what triggers headaches in children? The answer depends on how frequently the child experiences it, and the intensity of pain.

Sinus Infection
Sinusitis-triggered pain is also called sinus headache, as the painful sign is similar to that of headache. The pain locations are the bridge of nose, cheeks and forehead, i.e., places where sinuses are present. The child may show accompanying symptoms, like fever, nasal congestion, facial swelling and ear pressure.

Respiratory Infection
Of all the instances, infection of the upper respiratory tract is the most frequent problem, responsible for causing headaches in children. This may be common cold and influenza. As you go through the symptoms of cold and flu in children, pain in the head is reported by many patients. If headache is associated with high fever, get medical attention.

Migraine Problem
One of the main causes of frequent headaches in children is migraine. As we all are aware, it is a debilitating case of chronic headache, in which the pain symptoms continue for hours and days. Migraine headache is more common in children, whose parents are diagnosed with the same condition. The affected child will feel better with sleep and rest.

Stress and Anxiety
Another probable cause for headaches in children is stress. Also known as tension headache, such a case is manifested alone without other signs. The pain intensity is dull, and symptoms will not go even after taking rest. According to the level of stress involved, tension headache in children may occur daily.

Head Trauma and Eye Strain
Injury to the head or physical blow with a hard object are probable causes of headaches in children. If head pain worsens with time, do not delay in contacting a doctor. Also, seek medical advice for major head injuries. Also, straining eyes for getting clear vision causes headaches. You may like to know more on eye strain headaches.

Other Causes
Fortunately, most incidences of headaches in children do not signify major complications. However, serious diseases like brain tumor and meningitis may also cause symptoms similar to headaches. If headache worsens with time, or if other worrying symptoms accompany headache, then take medical advice as soon as possible.

Headaches in Children: Treatment Guide

No doubt, headaches in children are usually mild, and subside gradually with time. But, therapeutic intervention is required for frequent headaches and chronic problems. Migraine and chronic sinus are also responsible for the pain condition. For such conditions, prompt treatment is crucial to manage symptoms effectually. Before administration of headache medication in children, it is crucial to rule out illnesses which might be causing pain in the head.

Most likely, the doctor will perform diagnostic procedures along with examination of physical signs and medical history. For migraine headaches in children, treatment involves administering pain killers and avoiding triggering factors. If required, preventive drugs may be prescribed to minimize recurring headaches. Likewise, sinus headache treatment is focused on relieving symptoms and fighting infections with antibiotics. For all patients, taking ample rest and encouraging them to sleep are the best treatment options for headache.

With this, I hope you have understood about, what causes headaches in children, and the treatment methods. About 20 percent of adults who experience headache confirm that, they started having the problem before their 10th birthday. This means, while most children having headache outgrow the condition, some still experience headache till adulthood stage.