Headache in child
introduction
A headache is generally used to describe different forms of pain in the head area. Nowadays there are up to 250 different types of headache. They are among the most common complaints in children and adults in Germany. Every third child of primary school age states that they regularly suffer from headaches.
Read more on the topic: a headache
causes
According to the International Headache Society, the causes of headaches are divided into two large groups, the primary and the secondary causes. The former are also described as idiopathic causes for which the exact mechanism has not yet been uncovered by research. These include cluster headaches, migraines, and tension headaches.
For the secondary causes, which are also known as symptomatic or organic, the exact cause is known. These include, for example, headaches with a visual defect, irritation of the meninges as a result of a sunstroke or inflammation and many more. In addition, headaches can arise as a result of intoxication with alcohol or nicotine or caused by medication.
Read more on the topic:
- Visual disturbances in children
- Causes of headache
Headache in the child due to growth
Growth is also often the cause of headaches in children. So it can with that Growing teeth There is pain in the jaw that continues to radiate and is perceived by the child as a headache. It can also increase in the course of growth Postural disorders such as holding the head at an angle, which can lead to tension after a while and thus chronic headache cause in children.
Headache in the child caused by a tumor
A very rare cause of headache can be tumors in the brain. Due to their growth, these lead to a lack of space in the brain and thus cause an increase in pressure in the skull. This is especially the case with tumors of the brain stem or the posterior fossa. The perceived headaches are often described as diffuse, bilateral and slowly increasing (progressive) and are often associated with nausea, vomiting and other neurological deficits, such as limitations in the field of vision.
Please also read our topic: Signs of a brain tumor
Headache in the child from sunstroke
The typical symptoms of sunstroke are headache, nausea, dizziness, vomiting, increased heart rate, restlessness, or even impaired consciousness. Unlike heat stroke, body temperature is normal with sunstroke. Sunstroke is defined by the irritation of the meninges caused by long exposure to the sun on the head and neck. Most often children or the elderly are affected by sunstroke.
diagnosis
At the beginning of the diagnosis of headache there is always a detailed inquiry of the patient's medical history (anamnesis). This is usually followed by a neurological and physical exam to determine the cause of the headache. In most cases, the history and description of the headache can be used to narrow down the possible cause. Since the medical history of toddlers and babies is limited to the third-party anamnesis by the parents, attention must be paid to certain behaviors, such as avoiding noise and light, touching the head or ruffling the hair. If you cannot identify the cause despite a precise anamnesis, further diagnostic measures such as an EEG or an MRI are available.
Headache on the forehead
Moderate, dull, pressing headache on the forehead or pain that extends over the entire head are the typical characteristics of tension headaches.
It is advisable to examine the mobility of the cervical spine and any pressure pain in the adjacent muscles.
Possible triggers for this type of headache can be muscular tension, stress, medication, a high-sugar diet, grinding of teeth, lack of sleep, an irregular daily rhythm or changes in the climate.
It is particularly worthwhile to keep a pain diary with any triggering factors and bring it with you to the doctor for clarification. Also on the forehead are headaches caused by medication. Headaches often occur after the pain relief is stopped, especially after taking painkillers for several days.
Sinusitis is also a notable differential diagnosis in children with frontal headaches. Sinusitis is an inflammation of the paranasal sinuses and is usually accompanied by a runny nose. In this condition, the pain can spread to the area around the nose and is most severe when the person leans forward.
Headache in the temple
An important question for children with headaches is whether a head impact trauma has occurred. That would explain pain in the temple. Another important reason is inflammation of the eye or ametropia.
Pain in the temples can occur, particularly after heavy eye strain, such as reading or watching TV. It is also important to clarify whether a child with a headache in the temporal region grinds their teeth at night. A load on the jaw often radiates into the temples.
Read more about this at: Recognizing poor eyesight in children - does my child see correctly? or grinding teeth at night
Headache in the back of the head
The way children fall means that very often an accident leads to pain in the back of the head. Furthermore, tension, cervical spine deformities and poor posture can also cause back headaches in the child.
If this occurs more frequently, a CT or MRI examination should be performed and the neck muscles should be stabilized under physiotherapeutic care. Migraines can also occur in children and can affect the back of the head, among other things. It is important to pay attention to accompanying symptoms such as aura, visual disturbances, vomiting or dizziness.
More information on this topic: Back of head pain
When should I see the doctor?
In most cases, headache in children is just as safe and common as it is in adults.
However, there are some warning symptoms that you should see a doctor immediately for. If a child experiences a headache with a fever or a stiff neck, the doctor must rule out meningitis.
Neck stiffness is still difficult to determine in toddlerhood, but in older children it can be determined whether or not there is neck stiffness through a targeted examination.
An increase in intracranial pressure, which can be manifested by headaches, clouded consciousness and morning vomiting, is also dangerous. If there has been a previous trauma, it is better to refer the child with headache for clinical observation.
Suddenly severe annihilation pain, accompanying eye pain and motor restrictions are also considered potentially dangerous. In the case of these symptoms, it is advisable to clarify as soon as possible in order to avoid worse preventable consequences.
In the case of headaches that occur at least once a week over a longer period of time and do not allow the child to participate in everyday activities, a medical examination is also absolutely necessary.
Concomitant symptoms
Often, headaches come along with accompanying symptoms. In the case of a mild headache, these are mainly one general exhaustion and a increased sensitivity across from noise. If the headache gets worse, nausea and vomiting can occur, as is the case with a migraine. In addition, one is occurring Photosensitivity (Photophobia) not infrequently. With a very severe migraines it can even be too Clouding of consciousness, Loss of sensitivity and See- and Hearing impairment come in children. However, these disappear as soon as the migraine attack comes to an end.
Headache in child with fever
A feverish infection can often lead to so-called accompanying headaches, which are also subject to the fluctuations in the temperature curve. If, in addition to severe headaches and a high fever, there is also a stiff neck that goes beyond normal limb pain, meningitis must be ruled out quickly, as early diagnosis is essential in case of doubt.
Read more on the topic: Fever in the toddler such as Fever and headache
Headache in the child with vomiting
There are many causes that, in addition to headaches, can also trigger vomiting and nausea. Next bacterial and viral infections can this for example with a migraine be the case, which usually occurs on one side. In addition, irritation of the meninges from intense solar radiation (sunstroke) can also be associated with severe headaches, fatigue and vomiting. Even after one concussion Falling or being hit usually leads to severe headache and vomiting. A further diagnosis in the hospital should be carried out here so that Cerebral hemorrhage or other injuries can be excluded.
Headache in child with abdominal pain
A migraine headache can present itself in many different ways. Many people are unaware that there is also an abdominal migraine - a form of migraine that often presents itself as stomach pain in children. The attack-like symptoms can last from a few hours to several days.
Concomitant symptoms are often nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cramps or headaches. Often those affected are pale. It is important here again that a comprehensive diagnosis takes place, since abdominal migraines are a finding that can only be made when other organic causes have been ruled out. Then you can intervene accordingly with painkillers and a change in migraine-triggering lifestyle.
Furthermore, it must be taken into account that children are often not yet able to adequately articulate their stress. In some cases, headaches and abdominal pain are an expression of overwork or overwork. If you suspect that this could apply to your child, and also generally in the context of the medical examination, a psychosomatic consultation would certainly be recommended.
Headache in child with nosebleed
It is also not uncommon for headaches and nosebleeds to occur together. In children, this can usually occur from infections of the upper respiratory tract in combination with adenomas.
If your child snores at night, this can also cause irritated nasal mucous membranes with headaches during the day.Rare in children, but also possible, is increased blood pressure, which causes both symptoms together. If a child has frequent headaches with nosebleeds, a doctor should be consulted and anemia or bleeding disorder (haemophilia) should be excluded.
Headache in the child with stiff neck
A side effect of headaches, which always urges special care, is neck pain.
If a child has this constellation of symptoms and is sometimes very weak, feverish and tired, a doctor must be consulted immediately. They will check for meningism, which can be caused by bacterial or viral meningitis. For children over two years of age, the physical examination and the general condition of the child are decisive. A lumbar puncture with liquor removal is then essential for further examination and confirmation of the diagnosis.
Headache in child with eye pain
If a child suffers from headaches and eye pain, in most cases this is probably due to the ametropia that has not been adjusted.
The increased stress on the visual system in the brain, especially after reading, watching TV or school lessons, can lead to headaches and pain in the eyes without correction. If a child complains of a headache, especially after concentrating and doing unusual tasks for the eyes, and often squeezes their eyes together in order to see better, a visit to the ophthalmologist is appropriate.
Read more about this at: Recognizing poor eyesight in children - does my child see correctly?
therapy
At the beginning of the therapy of headaches in children stands the non-drug Treatment in the foreground. So can Quiet, Relaxation or deflection often already to the disappearance of lslight headache to lead.
It is about long lasting or Strength a headache however, the administration of medication must be considered. Be here especially Ibuprofen with a dosage of 10-15 mg per kilogram of body weight and Paracetamol used at a dosage of 15-20 mg per kilogram of body weight a maximum of 3 times a day.
In addition to the helps with severe migraine attacks Stimulus shielding (dark, quiet room) often only drug therapy with ibuprofen and paracetamol. The gift of Serotonin antagonists like sumatriptan is reserved for the doctor. In many cases it can be a good one prevention (Prophylaxis) already prevent the occurrence of headaches. These include adequate food and fluid intake, enough sleep and exercise in the fresh air.
Drugs for headache in children
If non-drug therapy with rest, relaxation and sufficient food and fluid intake did not help, children with headaches can be given ibuprofen or paracetamol in particular. A dosage of 10-15 mg per kilogram of body weight or 15-20 mg per kg of body weight of the child applies, which can be given a maximum of three times a day at a sufficient interval. A higher dose is not recommended as this liver damaging is. In general, you should speak to your family doctor before administering it.
Read more on the topic: Side effects of ibuprofen
This also applies to migraines, which, from a certain duration and severity, are usually treated with the drug sumatriptan, which, however, requires a prescription. From using aspirin is strongly discouraged for children as it is too here strong side effects like the life-threatening one Reye syndrome can come.
Home remedies for headaches in children
The simplest home remedy is an adequate intake of water, as headaches are often caused by one Lack of water be evoked. There are also many other home remedies that can be used to treat headaches in children. So is often used to use peppermint oil advised, which is also called Tiger balm is known. This oil is rubbed on the child's temples and has a calming and cooling effect.
Another valued method is that Cooling the neck with ice cubes or a wet, cold cloth, as the cold can mask the painful stimuli. Should the headache from one Tension a warm cherry stone pillow in the neck can also help to loosen the tension in the throat and thus alleviate the headache.
Homeopathic treatment
The use of homeopathic remedies depends very much on the type of headache experienced. Probably the best-known remedy for headaches, which is mainly given for pain in the area of the temples Belladonna. This remedy is heavily diluted in the form of Globules or drops taken. Other homeopathic remedies are Gelsemium, Selenium, Ignatia and Glonoinum.
Duration
The Duration of headaches in children may vary depending on the underlying cause vary greatly. For example, there are forms of headache that are chronic and can be triggered by types of tension headache. Acute migraine attacks or accompanying headaches as a result of an infection, on the other hand, can occur relatively quickly, but they often disappear after a day or two.
forecast
It is very difficult to formulate a clear prognosis for headaches, as it depends on the one hand on the type of headache, but also on general living conditions and the therapy. However, it can be said that most childhood headache cases with a primary cause usually go away after a few hours or one night with a little rest. In the case of a migraine, which often manifests itself in childhood, the situation is that in about a third of the cases the symptoms disappear with the onset of puberty. Only about 30% of adults who suffered from migraines in their childhood also have pronounced migraine symptoms in adulthood.
