MEDICAL SURFARI: IT'S NOT ALL IN THEIR HEADS: CHILDREN'S HEADACHES

Almost everyone has a headache now and then....even children. As a parent, the big question is when to be concerned about your child's headaches.

Most of the time the apparent cause of your child's headache can be logically identified -- such as staying up too late, missing a meal, playing in the sun too long, or bumping his or her head.

Recurring, frequent headaches with no apparent cause should be brought to the attention of your child's physician. Most simple headaches resolve at home with little medical intervention. Have your child lie down in a comfortable dark room to rest. Sometimes a cool cloth applied to the forehead or at the base of the head can be soothing. Always consult your child's physician before giving medications.

Children are plagued by many of the same recurring types of headaches that also affect adults. Common causes of headaches include stress, certain foods or beverages, medications, sinusitis, dental pain, muscle tension and migraine. Migraine headaches occur in 4 to 10 percent of school-age children and they are the most common cause of recurrent headaches in children. They rarely occur before age 5 and 90 percent of the time they run in the family.

If your child has recurrent headaches keep a diary listing each headache and anything that you believe may have brought it on. Be certain to note the severity of the headache and any associated symptoms, as well as their response to any prescribed medication.

Most headaches in children are not a symptom of other diseases and can be treated effectively. But, constant headaches that are worse in the morning and associated with decreased alertness, changes in vision, weakness, listlessness, confusion and/or stiff neck may be cause for more concern. Certainly these symptoms warrant an immediate evaluation by a physician.

Web sites

American Council for Headache Education

http://www.achenet.org/pediatl/ This page is entitled "Kids Get Headaches Too" and provides a valuable resource on pediatric headaches.

KidsHealth Organization

http://www.kidshealth.org/index2.html Here you will find a web site created by medical experts for the health of children.