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How Common Are Headaches In Children?
Question: How common are headaches in children?
My almost 6 yr old son has said to me 3 times in the last week of a head pain, but then he quickly starts playing again or running around, etc. I did notice that of the 3 times he has mentioned this, that twice he had been playing a game on my phone for a while before he mentioned the pain or headache.
From asking him it doesn't sound like it lasts long or is just a brief feeling.
He definitely doesn't drink as much water as he could be. I also supplement him with vitamin D and vitamin C every day. Not sure if that could contribute as well.
Thanks!
My almost 6 yr old son has said to me 3 times in the last week of a head pain, but then he quickly starts playing again or running around, etc. I did notice that of the 3 times he has mentioned this, that twice he had been playing a game on my phone for a while before he mentioned the pain or headache.
From asking him it doesn't sound like it lasts long or is just a brief feeling.
He definitely doesn't drink as much water as he could be. I also supplement him with vitamin D and vitamin C every day. Not sure if that could contribute as well.
Thanks!
Brief Answer:
Could be migraine
Detailed Answer:
Hi...Thank you for consulting in Health Care magic.
Headache in kids need to be considered serious only when the below symptoms are there -
1. Vomiting continuously
2. Seizures/ Fits
3. Watery of bloody discharge from ears and nose
4. Unconsciousness
5. Altered sensorium or behaviour.
Without the above red flag symptoms, just feeling low energy levels or sudden onset and disappearance of headache points out towards Migraine and other sorts of tension headaches which are on the rise in current scenario due to excessive academic and peer stress the kids are experiencing.
I have a few questions for you -
1. How long has the headache been there?
2. Does it occur always on forehead or one half of head or keeps changing?
3. Is it associated with blurring of eyes or double vision or giddiness?
4. Is there any family history of migraine or single side headache?
5. Is he very angry when he gets headache and does the ache get better after a good sleep?
6. Does he vomit when there is headache?
Kindly get back to me with the answers to above questions and also mention his weight so that I can suggest you the formulations which are good. But as of now - you can give oral Paracetamol in the dose of 15mg/kg/dose every 4-6th hourly.
Hope my answer was helpful for you. I am happy to help any time. Further clarifications and consultations on Health care magic are welcome. Wish your kid good health.
Dr. Sumanth MBBS., DCH., DNB (Paed).,
Could be migraine
Detailed Answer:
Hi...Thank you for consulting in Health Care magic.
Headache in kids need to be considered serious only when the below symptoms are there -
1. Vomiting continuously
2. Seizures/ Fits
3. Watery of bloody discharge from ears and nose
4. Unconsciousness
5. Altered sensorium or behaviour.
Without the above red flag symptoms, just feeling low energy levels or sudden onset and disappearance of headache points out towards Migraine and other sorts of tension headaches which are on the rise in current scenario due to excessive academic and peer stress the kids are experiencing.
I have a few questions for you -
1. How long has the headache been there?
2. Does it occur always on forehead or one half of head or keeps changing?
3. Is it associated with blurring of eyes or double vision or giddiness?
4. Is there any family history of migraine or single side headache?
5. Is he very angry when he gets headache and does the ache get better after a good sleep?
6. Does he vomit when there is headache?
Kindly get back to me with the answers to above questions and also mention his weight so that I can suggest you the formulations which are good. But as of now - you can give oral Paracetamol in the dose of 15mg/kg/dose every 4-6th hourly.
Hope my answer was helpful for you. I am happy to help any time. Further clarifications and consultations on Health care magic are welcome. Wish your kid good health.
Dr. Sumanth MBBS., DCH., DNB (Paed).,
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Thank you for your
Response.
To answer the questions- the headaches seem to not last long at all. He says within a few minutes that it has gone and continues playing.
He had mentioned the side of his head a few times.
No blurry eyes or vision complaints but I have seen him rub his eyes about lately especially with school worksheets.
My husband has intense headaches at times. Not sure if migraines for sure.
He does not get angry with headache and no vomiting.
Thank you
Response.
To answer the questions- the headaches seem to not last long at all. He says within a few minutes that it has gone and continues playing.
He had mentioned the side of his head a few times.
No blurry eyes or vision complaints but I have seen him rub his eyes about lately especially with school worksheets.
My husband has intense headaches at times. Not sure if migraines for sure.
He does not get angry with headache and no vomiting.
Thank you
Brief Answer:
Suggestions on headache
Detailed Answer:
Hi...headaches of this sort can occur due to many reasons like - Cluster headaches, migraines, tension headache, stress headaches.
But whatever be the reason the most important thing is that he is not having any red flag signs which I mentioned in my last interaction.
Please be rest assured. No need to use any pain killers or paracetamol for this headache which lasts only few minutes.
Sometimes kids do this only to have some attention too. This can be one sort of attention seeking behavior. But this only a diagnosis of exclusion.
Regards - Dr. Sumanth
Suggestions on headache
Detailed Answer:
Hi...headaches of this sort can occur due to many reasons like - Cluster headaches, migraines, tension headache, stress headaches.
But whatever be the reason the most important thing is that he is not having any red flag signs which I mentioned in my last interaction.
Please be rest assured. No need to use any pain killers or paracetamol for this headache which lasts only few minutes.
Sometimes kids do this only to have some attention too. This can be one sort of attention seeking behavior. But this only a diagnosis of exclusion.
Regards - Dr. Sumanth
Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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