Does your little one get headaches all the time? Let's talk about headaches!

Does your child often have headaches? Or if it's a small child, does it often cry, not eat, or seem very restless? Maybe it's because of a headache. Headaches are very common for little ones. But as a mother and father, don't we feel sad when our child is in such pain? Today, let's talk about what these headaches are, why they occur, and how we can help our child.

What is a headache? Simply put...

Simply put, a headache is a pain in the head or neck. It is very common among young children. It can occur for a variety of reasons, and there are different levels of pain. Some headaches go away after a while, but others can be quite serious. Therefore, it is very important to know whether this is normal or if it is a condition that requires medical attention.

What are the symptoms of a headache? How do you recognize it?

There are two main types of headaches that children experience: tension headaches and migraines .

What is a tension headache?

This is a common headache that children often experience. It occurs when the muscles in the head or neck are overly tense, meaning they are stressed. This pain usually feels like this:

• It feels like someone is pressing on the front, back, or both sides of the head.
• A dull, aching pain.
• A persistent ache.
• Some people say it feels like a belt is being tightened around their head.

Imagine, this can happen when a child has done a lot of schoolwork, or is a little nervous about an upcoming exam.

So what is migraine?

This is a little different from a tension headache. Also, it is a little less common. But when it does occur, it can come on a little more frequently. Here are some of the symptoms you may see with a migraine :

• A sharp, stabbing pain on one or both sides of the head, as if it were being hit by a brain .
• Dizziness .
• Stomach ache.
• Vomiting and/or nausea .
• Sometimes you may feel like you're seeing lights flashing before your eyes, or you may see small spots. This is called an aura .

Most migraines last from 30 minutes to a few hours. In severe cases, they can last for two or three days. The pain can be worse when the child is running around, playing, in bright light, in strong smells, or in loud noises. Sometimes, before a migraine occurs, the child may have a vision of aYou may see ripples or bright lights. That's what we call an aura .

When a little child has a headache, it's hard for them to tell exactly "here and there it hurts," right? Then, as parents, we may see that the child is just restless, drinking less milk, not eating, not playing as usual, and crying a lot. Sometimes they may even vomit, or their face may be pale or red.

Why do these headaches occur? What are the causes?

Headaches are thought to be caused by changes in chemicals, nerves, or blood vessels in the head. These changes cause pain signals to be sent to the brain.

Headaches are often associated with things like:

• Infections: Ear infections, viruses (such as the flu or cold), throat infections (such as strep throat ), meningitis , or sinus infections .
• Head injury: It can happen from a slight fall or hitting your head somewhere.
• Certain medications: Headaches can occur as a side effect of some medications.
• Lack of sleep or a sudden change in sleep patterns.
• Dehydration: If the child does not get enough water during the day.
• Severe stress : Things like schoolwork, exams, and homework.
• Allergies: For example, conditions like hay fever .
• Monthly menstruation is a change in hormone levels (especially in young girls).
• Skipping meals.
• Spending too much time in front of the computer or watching TV.
• Vision impairment.
• Taking a long trip in a car or bus.
• Listening to songs very loudly.
• Smoking (smoking by people around the child can also affect it).
• Strong odors: Things like perfume, smoke, the new smell of some cars, and the smell of new carpet.
• Excessive caffeine intake: Caffeine is found in energy drinks, some beverages, coffee, tea, and chocolate.
• Some foods: alcohol, cheese, nuts, pizza, chocolate, ice cream, fatty foods, sausages, hot dogs, yogurt, aspartame(a sweetener used instead of sugar), things like MSG (Monosodium glutamate) .

Who gets these headaches more often?

Headaches are very common among young children and adolescents. Migraines, in particular, tend to run in families. This means that if your mother, father, grandmother, or grandfather have them, your child is more likely to develop them. Some children are more sensitive to these triggers than others.

How do you find the cause of a headache? What does the doctor do?

When you take your child to a doctor or nurse, he or she will first examine the child and ask about the child's medical conditions. This is how the doctor will try to find out what is causing the headache. The doctor may ask things like:

• How severe is the headache? How frequent is it?
• When did this start?
• How does a headache feel? Where does it hurt in the head?
• Is there a pattern to the way headaches occur? Does it change over time?
• Are there any other symptoms? (e.g. fever, vomiting, changes in vision)
• Have you had a head injury recently?
• Are there any things that seem to trigger your headaches?
• What are the child's eating habits, sleeping patterns, and things that reduce or increase headaches?
• Is the child experiencing any mental stress or depression?
• Have you had any major illnesses before?
• Is the child taking any medications?
• Do you have any allergies?
• Does anyone in your family get frequent headaches?

To help pinpoint this problem, doctors sometimes ask parents – both older children and young adults – to keep a headache diary . Here's what you should record in this diary:

• About every headache.
• It's time for them to grow.
• How long has it been?
• A short note about the things that I think might have caused it.

Imagine, Nisal's son says he has a headache every Saturday morning. When his mother was writing in her diary, she noticed that Nisal watches TV for a long time every Friday night and goes to bed late. This diary helps to identify such a pattern.

In addition, the doctor will perform a complete neurological exam . This may include looking at the eyes, examining the nerves, and asking the child to do things like walk or touch their nose. To rule out other conditions that could be causing the headache, the doctor may also order tests such as:

• Blood tests
• Imaging tests: A CAT scan of the brain or an MRI scan are also possible.

How to treat headaches?

The treatment for a headache depends on what the doctor thinks is the cause, but most common headaches can be treated at home.

To help reduce pain, tell your child to:

• Lie down in a cool, dark, quiet room.
• Place a damp cloth on your forehead or eyes.
• Relax.
• Breathe easily, deeply.

Make sure your child eats something, drinks plenty of fluids, and is not dehydrated. Children with migraines often want to sleep. They may feel better when they get up. A big part of treating migraines is avoiding triggers. That's where a headache diary can be very helpful.

You can also give your child a pain reliever such as acetaminophen (e.g. Panadol) or ibuprofen (e.g. ibuprofen). However, you should read the label carefully and make sure you are giving the correct dose at the correct time. If you have any questions about how much to give, ask your doctor. If your child is under 2 years old or has other medical conditions, talk to your doctor before giving any pain reliever. He or she will tell you whether to give it and how much to give (based on your child's weight and age).

Warning: Never give aspirin to infants or young children unless directed by a doctor. Aspirin can cause a serious, life-threatening condition called Reye syndrome.

If your child gets migraines frequently, the doctor may prescribe a medication to take when they start, or a medication to take every day (to prevent headaches).

Talk to your doctor about pain management. This may include things you can do without medication, for example:

• Relaxation exercises
• Stress-reduction techniques
• Avoiding triggers

What else do I need to know?

It's normal to feel scared when your child has a splitting headache. But most of the time, headaches aren't a sign of anything serious.

However, in cases like these, you should definitely talk to a doctor:

• If the headaches are more frequent than usual .
• If it doesn't go down easily.
• If you have severe pain .
• Most of the time, it comes in the morning (when the child wakes up, especially if the child wakes up because of a headache).

Also, look for other symptoms that accompany the headache. These can help the doctor find the cause. If your child has these symptoms along with the headache, talk to the doctor:

• If you seem less alert than usual.
• If you vomit.
• If you have a headache after a head injury or after losing consciousness .
• If you have a fit (seizures).
• If there are changes in eyesight .
• If you feel numbness in your body .
• If you feel weak .
• If you feel clumsiness in your limbs .
• If you have a skin rash .
• If it is difficult to walk or stand.
• If it's difficult to talk.
• If you have neck pain or stiffness .
• If you have a fever or other signs of infection .
• If you notice a big change in personality .
• If you drink a lot of water or urinate a lot.
• If the headache affects you to the point where you can't go to school or do your daily tasks .

The most important things to remember (Take-Home Message)

Okay, so you can remember some of the most important things from what we talked about.

• Not all headaches are dangerous: Most headaches in young children are normal. However, it's important to keep an eye on them.
• Identify the causes: See if things like your child's diet, sleep, and mental state affect the headaches. Keeping a headache diary can be very helpful.
• Things you can do at home: Simple things like rest, a quiet environment, a wet washcloth, and drinking plenty of water can provide relief.
• Painkillers with caution: Give the exact dosage as directed by the doctor. Never give aspirin to young children.
• Recognize the warning signs: If you have symptoms such as fever, vomiting, confusion, or fits along with your headache, see a doctor immediately.
• Don't be afraid, ask for help: If you have any doubts or concerns about your child's headache, it's best to talk to a doctor.

We wish your child to be healthy and happy!

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