My head hurts. You’ve probably heard this complaint from your child more than once, even so often that it can be hard to tell if it’s a real headache or just an excuse not to go to school.
Yes, headaches are not just for adults, many children suffer from it at any age , and although in most cases it is not due to a serious underlying problem, if they are recurrent they can cause school problems or affect the state of encouragement of the little one.
That is why it is important to understand how to recognize when a headache is a temporary pain, and when it is something else and needs medical attention.
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What are the signs and symptoms of a headache?
There are two types of headaches that children most commonly experience: tension headaches and migraines.
The tension headaches occur when the muscles of the scalp or neck leather shrink excessively. This causes a sensation similar to having a tight bandage around the head.
The migraines are less common, and can cause a throbbing pain on one or both sides of the head, dizziness, stomach aches, nausea and vomiting. They can last from a half to several hours, and can even last up to a couple of days.
For younger children, they may not be able to tell what hurts. Parents may notice that they are moody and less active. They may vomit or look pale.
Most common causes of headaches in children
Headache can be triggered by a number of different factors. Keep in mind that some children are more sensitive to triggers than others, but these are the most common:
Dehydration
One of the main causes of headaches is not drinking enough water throughout the day. Children are not waiting to drink water.
This occurs more commonly on hot days, or when the child plays or does intense exercise, as it eliminates more fluids through sweating.
To avoid this, just make sure she drinks enough water throughout the day.
Diet
In full growth, children need to eat regularly to meet the needs of their body. Skipping a meal, whatever it is, can trigger a headache.
Just as eating regularly is vital, it is also important to make sure that what you are eating provides you with the nutrients you need.
Eat a balanced diet with lots of fruits and vegetables, lean meats, and dairy products, and limit processed foods, pastries, and sweets that are high in fat and sugar.
What we eat has an impact on our health, which is why too much caffeine (in energy drinks, sodas and chocolate), and other foods such as cheese, ice cream, fatty or fried foods, aspartame and monosodium glutamate can also cause pain upside down.
Insufficient sleep
Children need about 10 hours of sleep a day to get a proper rest. Not getting enough sleep can cause a headache.
Stress
We all experience stress from time to time, and children and teens are no exception. If your child is under a lot of pressure at school, or experiences big changes at home, such as a divorce or moving, it can give him a headache.
Vision problems
If the child cannot see clearly what is in front of him, or what is put on the board in class, he may strain his eyes to see near or far, which can cause a headache.
Family background
Headaches (especially migraines) are often hereditary. So if a parent, grandparent, or other family member has them, there is a chance that the child has them too.
Other probable causes
- Use your computer, tablet, smartphone or watch TV for a long time.
- Smell strong odors such as perfumes, air fresheners, smoke, cleaning products, the smell of gasoline, or new carpet.
- Suffer from allergies
- Listen to very loud music for a long time.
- Infections (such as ear infections, viruses like the flu, or a cold or sinusitis).
Because there are so many probable causes, keeping a headache diary can help you identify what triggers them, so you can avoid them.
As in adults, headaches in children can occur occasionally from any of the causes listed above and without serious reason.
If the little one complains of discomfort, we can administer an ibuprofen-based headache medication in children to relieve the symptoms.
The pharmacist may suggest various alternatives, for example the Pediatric Nurofen range indicated for the occasional symptomatic treatment of mild to moderate pain in children from 3 months of age, providing relief from discomfort for up to 8 hours.
For children under 2 years old, always consult a doctor. And if it is a little over 7 years or 20 kilos up to 12 years or 40 kilos, you can opt for Nurofen Junior 100 mg soft chewable capsules, which contains the appropriate dose for children from 7 to 12 years old.
Do not administer these drugs in case of gastroduodenal ulcer. Read the instructions for these medicines and consult the pharmacist. De Reckitt Benckiser Healthcare, SA
Read the directions for these medications and consult your pharmacist. Nurofen Pediatric is a drug from Reckitt Benckiser Healthcare, SA
When to take the child to the pediatrician for a headache
Fortunately, most headaches in children are not cause for alarm, and can be easily treated by giving them something to eat, drink, relax, or send them to bed early.
However, there are certain cases that require an evaluation by an expert.
If the headaches have become more frequent (one or more times a week) or severe, if they cause you to wake up at night while sleeping, or if the headache is causing you to vomit, it is best to take your doctor to see you . pediatrician.
The doctor will do a physical exam and decide if any tests are needed to find out what type of headache your child has. If the pediatrician suspects a migraine, he or she may refer the child to a neurologist who is specialized to help prevent and treat it.
Kathie Sand always saw the world of beauty as the terrain on which to build her professional career, a goal that was clear to her when she was only 15 years old. Her great concern to expand knowledge led her to settle in Paris where she studied hand in hand with the best beauty professionals and with the most advanced techniques for skin care.