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How Can You Help Your Child with Different Types of Headaches?

Headache_Children

Children are not immune, like adult, from suffering with headaches. Study shows that 20% of children are susceptible to have headache due to tension while another 5% are vulnerable to migraines. Being a parent it’s worse feeling helpless for your child having headache. Read to learn different types of headaches children experience and their symptoms. Find out the effective prevention methods and when to consult a neurologist.

Different types of headaches in children

 

(1) Headache due to Acute Illness

This is very common among children and is usually experienced while suffering from diseases like common cold, flu, ear and throat infections.

(2) Tension Headache

These headaches are experienced usually as a result of stress, eye strain, neck or back pain due to bad posture. It can last from 30 mins to many days. Usually these type of headaches stay constant during physical activity.

(3) Migraines

70% of the children having migraines are hereditary. They usually have a parent or sibling who suffers with the condition. Some of the common symptoms and triggers are as below:
Symptoms

Known migraine triggers

When to see a Neurologist?

Seek immediate medical attention if you observe any of the following symptoms in your child during a headache:

During examination, neurologist shall ask detailed questions about your child’s symptoms like kind of specific pain and duration. It’s important that your child answers those questions as accurately as possible for perfect diagnosis. Consultant may advise a CT scan or MRI test for detailed diagnostic information.

How can you help your child?

After diagnosis by neurologist, make sure you stick to the treatment plan properly, especially point out the triggers that cause headache such as poor sleep, inappropriate meals, caffeine or stress.
For tension related headaches you may try:

For migraines, you may try:

Other traditional treatments and natural remedies include a gentle massage, consuming vitamin B2 supplements and foods that are rich in magnesium such as leafy vegetables, nuts, whole grains, etc.