Usually headaches in children are not a major cause of worry. Just like adults, children too get headaches caused by the same range of causes. The headache could be caused by any one of the common causes or they can be an indicator of more serious problems. In any case, the best rule to follow is to watch out for signs of extreme or persistent discomfort. If the level of discomfort the child is experiencing is too much for it to bear, you should waste no time in consulting a doctor or a physician.
Which Headaches Are Serious?Headaches in children are common between the ages of 5 to 17. During this period, almost 20% children have experienced some form of headache or the other, be it caused by stress, tension or even migraines. In a study published by the National Institute of Health on Headache syndromes amongst schoolchildren in Riyadh, it was found that 49.8% of the children had recurrent headaches that were not related to fever or illness in any way. For both boys and girls in the incidences of recurrent headaches start to rise from the age of 6-7 years of age when only 15% of the children surveyed had them to 60% of children in the age group of 15. Migraine headaches, on the other hand had a flatter curve of prevalence with a maximum percentage of 9% at the age of 6-7 years.
However, there are certain situations, where the headache might not be caused by simple causes such as dehydration, stress or weather. In such cases, a headache can be first of the symptoms that indicate a deeper underlying problem.
Concussion or Head Injury Related SymptomsA mildly traumatic brain injury often shows up as symptoms of headache in children. Head trauma is common in children. The growing years are fraught with perils of falling and bumping the head. In fact, falls are the most common reason for head injury. Motor vehicle and bicycle accidents, projectiles such as being hit in the head with a ball and other sports-related injury are the most common causes.
Children are not easy patients to diagnose and doctors typically avoid exposing children below the age of two to the risks of radio graphic imaging techniques such as computerized tomography (CT) scans and radiation exposure from x-rays. The use of CT scans is allowed for children older than two years of age. Head trauma that can cause headaches might not show any physical evidence, that is no signs of injury or fractures. A mild trauma to the brain is usually accompanied with symptoms of disorientation, vomiting and brief loss of consciousness. The effect of trauma or injuries to the head can affect the brain due to the movement of the head causing injury to nerve fibers.
Which Headaches Are Serious?Headaches in children are common between the ages of 5 to 17. During this period, almost 20% children have experienced some form of headache or the other, be it caused by stress, tension or even migraines. In a study published by the National Institute of Health on Headache syndromes amongst schoolchildren in Riyadh, it was found that 49.8% of the children had recurrent headaches that were not related to fever or illness in any way. For both boys and girls in the incidences of recurrent headaches start to rise from the age of 6-7 years of age when only 15% of the children surveyed had them to 60% of children in the age group of 15. Migraine headaches, on the other hand had a flatter curve of prevalence with a maximum percentage of 9% at the age of 6-7 years.
However, there are certain situations, where the headache might not be caused by simple causes such as dehydration, stress or weather. In such cases, a headache can be first of the symptoms that indicate a deeper underlying problem.
Concussion or Head Injury Related SymptomsA mildly traumatic brain injury often shows up as symptoms of headache in children. Head trauma is common in children. The growing years are fraught with perils of falling and bumping the head. In fact, falls are the most common reason for head injury. Motor vehicle and bicycle accidents, projectiles such as being hit in the head with a ball and other sports-related injury are the most common causes.
Children are not easy patients to diagnose and doctors typically avoid exposing children below the age of two to the risks of radio graphic imaging techniques such as computerized tomography (CT) scans and radiation exposure from x-rays. The use of CT scans is allowed for children older than two years of age. Head trauma that can cause headaches might not show any physical evidence, that is no signs of injury or fractures. A mild trauma to the brain is usually accompanied with symptoms of disorientation, vomiting and brief loss of consciousness. The effect of trauma or injuries to the head can affect the brain due to the movement of the head causing injury to nerve fibers.