UNDERSTANDING HEADACHES IN CHILDREN: BEYOND THE BASICS: –
Headaches are the most common issue emerging in children. States show that almost 75% of school-aged children suffer from headaches. They can be of various types. Most of the time headaches in children are nothing to worry about and are caused by some minor illnesses which is why parents overlook the issue. But it is essential to understand the reasons behind it because it can be from common to nonharmful to rare but serious conditions. The article will explain all about headaches in detail.
Causes of HEADACHES IN CHILDREN?
Headaches in children itself are a side effect, not a turmoil or an illness as a result, children’s headaches could be brought on by several different things. The following are the most typical causes:
- Tension-type headaches
- Migraine
- As a result of minor or moderate head injury
- Cluster headaches
- As a symptom of any viral infection or upper respiratory tract infection (common cold, strep throat, sinus infection, and allergies)
Here you can interpret the different causes of headaches & as well as types, and it is essential to know when a headache may be more than just a minor discomfort. Search for these side effects
| 1. TENSION HEADACHES | 2. MIGRAINE | 3. HEAD INJURY | 4. CLUSTER HEADACHE | 5. VIRAL INFECTION | |
| PAIN LOCATION | Bilateral (on both sides of head) & like tightening around the forehead | Unilateral (on one side of head)
Or bilateral (two sided) |
Around the head, temples, forehead and
Around the eyes.
|
Unilateral (one side) esp. around eyes alongside head | Forehead,
Cheekbones And nose |
| PAIN QUALITY | Non-versatile
Pressing & tightening |
Throbbing & pulsating (like sensitivity in toothache) | Disoriented pain | variable | Variable |
| DURATION | Continuous for 30 mins | 4-72 hours in untreated | It can take minutes to days depending on the injury | 15-180 minutes usually at night and can recur after 1-2 months | It lasts 4-6 days usually |
| SYMPTOMS OTHER THAN HEADACHES | NONE | Nausea, vomiting, photophobia, tingling,
numbness |
Bump or bruise, sensitivity to noise and light,
confusion, irritability |
Red watery eyes, nasal congestion,
dropping swollen eyelid Constricted pupil |
Fever, body aches,
Fatigue, nausea Vomiting, diarrhea, rashes, warts |
WHEN TO SEEK HELP FROM A DOCTOR?
Headaches in children can make them extremely cranky. Parents must not avoid what their kids are feeling when they are suffering from headache and should take notice of all the symptoms because they can lead to serious situations like meningitis, stroke or encephalitis. See a specialist or go to the emergency right away if your children are showing any of the advance notice signs,
- Tingling situation, weakness, or paralysis on one side of the body.
- Fainting
- Severe & continuous headache that worsens as time passes.
- Stiff neck
- Trouble seeing
- Trouble speaking
- Trouble walking
- Headache followed by a head injury
- Occur more than usual or are more severe than usual.
- Don’t improve even after the use of over-the-counter drugs.
HOW TO MANAGE HEADACHES IN CHILDREN TO AVOID DRUGS?
Headaches in children can be managed naturally and at home:
- Use of ice packs: – Applying cool compresses ice packs or any other cold item to the head or at the back of the neck may constrict the blood vessels reduce the inflammation and temporarily relieve headaches.
- Hydration: – Hydration: To lessen, or avoid the occurrence or in severity of headaches, one has to ensure that one takes sufficient water.
Headache and indeed migraines are some of the ailments that originate from dehydration. It also changes how a person behaves, thinks, and feels, they can be depressed with or without a headache.
- Use of warm compresses: For tension type of headache, where the muscles are banded, use of massaging with warm water compresses helps relax the muscles thereby relieving the patient.
It may be something as basic as a hot towel and a similar experience can be had from a hot bath.
- By removing any pressure from the head: – At times, there is an actual justification behind a migraine. Examine for anything that puts an excessive amount of pressure on the head. This might be a braid or bun that is too close or a cap or headband that has been on excessively lengthy.
- Try some herbal tea: – Ginger, peppermint, chamomile, and lavender tea can be a useful source of adding water to the diet by getting benefits of other compounds as well for example, ginger is a useful element in reducing headaches as well as treating vomiting and nausea.
- Exercise: – Exercise might assist with keeping the body healthy and promote better circulation reducing the chances of headaches in children.
- Turning down the lights: – Some people who suffer from headaches develop light sensitivity. Even the bright light from a smartphone or office space can exacerbate symptoms. It might assist with resting in a dull or faintly lit room while recovering from a migraine.
- Sleep: –Lack of sleep is one of the various issues that can lead to Parents must ensure that their kids get enough sleep so that their bodies get fully rested.
Preventing headaches in children?
- Pursuing a healthy lifestyle: – Parents must ensure that their kids have a diet full of vitamins, leafy green vegetables, and proteins so that they can maintain a healthy lifestyle.
- Routine eye check-ups: -Sometimes weak eyesight can lead to headaches. So formal eye checkups can be fruitful in ensuring that vision problems do not lead to headaches.
- Limit screen time: –Tension headaches and eye strain can be prevented by encouraging your child to take breaks from using electronic gadgets.
- Managing stress: – Assist your youngster with overseeing pressure through open communication, unwinding strategies, and keeping a strong and healthy climate.
Severe and persistent headaches can be treated by acquiring home remedies as a first line of treatment and avoiding taking medicines. By Improvising the right strategies many cases of headaches in children with severe symptoms can be managed and improved the overall quality of life.