Childhood headaches are often a concern for parents. Headaches can be a common complaint among children, but it is important to know when to take your child’s headache seriously. While most headaches are not cause for concern, there are certain times when you should consult a doctor if your child experiences frequent or severe headaches.
As a mom and a pediatrician myself, I have recently experienced this in my own household. My 9 year old daughter has been getting headaches frequently enough that she has made many visits to the school nurse during the school day for pain medication. In this article, we will walk through the common causes of headache, some of the signs of serious headache, when you should seek emergency care and ways to treat headache in children.
Causes of Headaches in Children
There are different types and causes of headaches in children. More common causes of headaches are viral illness, ear infections, lack of sleep or dehydration. Less common causes of childhood headaches are migraine headaches, cluster-type headaches or tension headaches. And then there are even less common causes of serious headaches such as brain tumors, bleeds or malformations. It is important to be able to discern the different types of childhood causes. This will enable your child to receive proper treatment for their symptoms.
Generally, if your child does not have any red flag symptoms, your pediatrician will recommend starting with a headache diary. This is a journal that you can help your child to keep track of their symptoms. When your child has a headache you should document the time of day that it started, how long it lasted, and any other symptoms that go along with it. Also record if it is related to anything else such as food or activity. In addition, it is also important to document whether or not your child’s headache is accompanied by sensitivity to light or made worse by bright light. Tracking headache triggers is also important. In addition, write down whether or not your child is having mild pain vs more severe pain. Finally, documenting whether or not the pain keeps your child from doing normal activities is also helpful.
Causes of acute headaches
Childhood headaches can be occasional or occur frequently. Children can get a short-lived headache for many reasons. A secondary headache is the result of something else. Often a headache will be a symptom of an upper respiratory illness such as the flu or other viral infection. Headaches can also be the result of an ear infection or sinus infection.
Primary headaches occur when a headache is your child’s main symptom. Kids will often complain of headaches when they are not getting enough sleep. They may also complain of headaches if they consume caffeinated beverages such as energy drinks. Commonly, children will have headaches if they are not drinking enough water to stay hydrated.
Additional causes for headaches could be neck pain or muscle weakness especially of the neck or shoulder muscles. Pain can radiate up the neck and cause headache symptoms. Muscle pain can result from poor posture as well. Lastly, emotional stress can also be a cause of headaches in children.
Causes of Chronic Headaches
If your child is having more frequent headaches or recurrent headaches, they may be caused by tension-type headaches, cluster headaches or migraine headaches. If you have noticed that your child has symptoms of these types of headaches over a period of time, it is best to consult your child’s pediatrician.
Symptoms such as sensitivity to light, seeing flashing lights with headaches, sensitivity to loud noise can all be symptoms of migraine headaches. Pain behind one eye or one side of the head could be a sign of cluster headaches. Symptoms of tension headaches are generally a feeling of pain and tightness around the whole head. Tracking your child’s symptoms will help your pediatrician to figure out the cause of your child’s headaches.
Often your pediatrician will have treatment recommendations for your child’s pain. Sometimes, your child’s doctor may send you to a headache specialist if they are unable to find the cause of your child’s symptoms.
What Are the Signs of a Serious Headache in Children?
Most kids who have headaches rarely have a serious medical condition. Often headaches are short lived and don’t signal any other problem, but it is important to know what the red flag symptoms are that will cause your child’s doctor to investigate their symptoms a little further.
As a pediatrician, I worry if your child has a headache that wakes your child from sleep at night. I’m also concerned if their symptoms begin first thing in the morning when they are just waking up. Additionally, if early morning vomiting, vision changes or neurological symptoms accompany a headache, I become more concerned.
Symptoms That Indicate Urgent Medical Care is Needed
While the red flag symptoms that I mentioned early are concerning, they are not often an indication that your child needs urgent medical care. Most often, for those symptoms, they are important enough to make an appointment with your child’s pediatrician, but don’t necessarily need emergency care.
However, there are symptoms that when accompanied by a headache require emergent care that should not wait for your pediatrician to be available. If your child has a headache that is occurring along with fever and a stiff neck, your wisest choice would be to take them to the emergency room.
Additionally, any child that has a headache as a result of a head injury such as a blow to the head or a high velocity injury such as a car accident or falling from a bicycle at a high rate of speed, needs to be evaluated in an emergency room. Often these children will have more symptoms than just headaches and need to be evaluated by a professional.
Lastly, if your child’s headache is accompanied by sleepiness or lethargy, they need to be evaluated emergently. The medical definition of lethargy is that you are unable to keep your child awake long enough to answer a question or drink a sip of water. Lethargic children are very concerning and need emergent evaluation to find a cause of their symptoms.
Treatment Options for Pediatric Headaches
Pediatric headaches can be treated with a combination of lifestyle changes and medications. Lifestyle changes such as reducing stress, getting adequate amounts of sleep, and eating a balanced diet are important in managing headaches. Medications such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen can often provide relief from pain associated with a headache. If your child’s pediatrician recommends it, they may prescribe medication specifically designed to prevent or reduce the frequency of headaches. Additionally, physical therapy can be beneficial for some children with chronic headaches. Your child’s pediatrician will work with you to develop a treatment plan that works best for your child’s individual needs and symptoms.
How can 127 Pediatrics Help
At 127 Pediatrics, we provide individualized care for each child. We have the time to listen to your concerns, examine your child and develop a treatment plan for their headaches. Visit our website to see how home visit pediatric care can change your life.
© 127 Pediatrics; February 2023, Updated January 2024
This article is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice.
Dr. Andrea Wadley is the owner, pediatrician, and breastfeeding medicine specialist for 127 Pediatrics. She has an established house-calls only pediatric practice in Colleyville, TX. She is also the owner and operator of the 127 Pediatrics Online Breastfeeding Medicine and Education Center.
