(Adapted from a children advice website in 2004)
Life can be a pretty big headache these days - and that applies to your kids, too. Children's headaches are probably underreported, yet you've certainly heard your child complaining about having one. For you, the big question is when to be concerned about your child's headaches. How do you know when the problem is more than worry about an upcoming test or a fight with a friend? What kinds of headaches do children suffer from, and how should they be treated?
When Should You Be Concerned?
Frequency and apparent cause are factors you can use to determine if your child's headaches are reason for concern. Most of the time, you can identify the cause of your child's headache, such as staying up too late, playing in the sun too long or bumping his head. Unexplained or recurring headaches over a short period of time, however, should be brought to the attention of your child's doctor. But how short is a "short" period of time?
"If your 6-year-old is complaining of significant, unexplained headaches once a month or more often over several months’ time, I think it would be reasonable to have that child seen by a doctor," says Dr. Hammond, a neurologist. "That frequency in an adolescent who may be under stress at school would not be as worrisome."
Another factor to consider is whether or not there are other symptoms along with the headaches. "Is the child perfectly well between the headaches?" Dr. Hammond asks. "If not, that's cause for concern." In addition, symptoms associated with the headaches themselves can be a flag. Other than simple nausea, which he says is not uncommon with headaches, Dr. Hammond suggests parents look for:
- decreased level of alertness
- visual changes
- tingling sensations
- weakness
- fever or other signs of infections
**To be continued.
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