Adult headaches have been uncomfortable, let alone children. If your child is experiencing this, understand your child’s symptoms to help them feel better, according to Fox News.
 Illustration photo: Shutterstock |
Early recognition
About 10% of children between the ages of 5 and 15 experience headaches. Before puberty, both boys and girls can experience headaches, but after puberty, girls are more likely to experience headaches due to an increase in estrogen levels. About 50% of girls will experience headaches a few days before or on the first day of their menstrual cycle.
Headaches have been found in infants around 18 months of age. Although it is difficult to identify as the child is unable to speak, if there is a family history or a parent with headaches, the child may have early signs of headaches.
Furthermore, there is evidence that children who frequently experience abdominal pain are likely to experience headaches as they grow up.
“The symptoms of abdominal cramps are the initial signs of headaches,” said Dr. Andrew D. Hershey, director of the Neurology Center at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital in the United States.
Additionally, two other conditions such as a stiff neck and dizziness due to posture can cause a child to suddenly fall, which is considered a precursor to headaches, said Dr. Howard Jacobs, a pediatrician, headache expert and professor of pediatrics at the Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio.
 In addition, children who tend to be car sick or seasick are also likely to experience headaches – Illustration photo: Shutterstock
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In addition, children who tend to be car sick or seasick are also likely to experience headaches.
Although headaches are strongly linked to genetics, environmental factors such as skipping meals or changing sleep schedules that affect the sensitive nervous system can contribute to more severe headaches, said Hershey.
Symptoms of headaches
Unlike tension headaches that progress from mild to moderate, headaches progress from moderate to severe. Moreover, headaches in children are often very different from those in adults. At the beginning, children do not have a pounding headache but a dull ache on both sides of the head.
Children with headaches tend to be sensitive to light and sound, dizzy, nauseous, vomiting, sweating. About 10-25% of children will experience symptoms of blurred vision and seeing spots before a headache.
Some school-age children have symptoms of headaches without actual pain. It is a cyclic vomiting syndrome and usually vomiting for a few hours leading to hospitalization or dizziness and sensitivity to light.
Some other children have symptoms such as abdominal pain but no headache. They usually do not have a fever, diarrhea, or vomiting.
Prevention and treatment of headaches
Diagnosis: The first step is to take your child to the hospital to determine the exact cause of your child’s headaches. The doctor may prescribe a medication, but it is important to understand the side effects before choosing it for your child.
Healthy eating: Eating a healthy diet, including fruits and vegetables, lean meats, healthy fats, and eating three meals a day can help relieve hunger and prevent headaches.
In addition, make sure your child drinks enough water to keep the urine clear.
 Every child needs a minimum of 20 minutes outside in the sun to get enough vitamin D – Illustration photo: Shutterstock |
Exercise: Studies have shown that obesity is related to headaches, and one of the best ways to ensure your child has a healthy weight along with a healthy diet is to exercise.
Furthermore, regular exercise will increase energy in the body’s cells and reduce stress leading to headaches. Children should exercise for 30-45 minutes per session, 3-4 times a week.
Check for nutritional deficiencies: Some supplements like riboflavin or coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) can help if your child is deficient. Magnesium can also prevent headaches, but consult your doctor.
Sleep: Getting enough sleep is also an important way for children to avoid headaches. According to the National Sleep Association in the United States, school-age children should sleep from 9-11 hours per night, while the figure for teenagers (14 to 17 years old) is from 8-10 hours.
