Has your child ever said, “Mom, my head hurts”? Odds are you’ve heard this before and it often worries you. Headaches are common in children, occurring in children as young as two or three years old with the vast majority being benign and manageable with proper treatment.
Tension Headaches
The most common type among children are tension headaches. Children typically complain of mild to moderate pain in their foreheads or temples. It can often be described as “tight” or “pressing”. Some children might even complain of sensitivity to light or noise, but dizziness and nausea are rare. Even though a child might be suffering from a tension headache, they are still able to continue with their activities.
Migraines
Another type of headache that can occur in children is a migraine. Children complain of a severe, pounding headache that may be associated with:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Dizziness
- Sensitivity to light and sound
Some children might even experience an aura, an associated symptom such as seeing zigzags or black spots, feeling pins and needles, or hearing a bussing or ringing in their ears.
Finding Relief
When your child has a headache or migraine, resting in a noise-free environment, taking over-the-counter pain relief medication and drinking plenty of fluid is often enough to relieve their symptoms. However, if anxiety or depression are thought to be triggering headaches, then relaxation and stress management strategies might be helpful for your child.
Some of these activities for pain relief might include the following:
- Deep breathing exercises
- Meditation
- Yoga
- Muscle stretching and relaxation exercises
- Regular breaks from activities that may trigger headaches
- Relaxing to music
If your child is suffering from a headache or migraine, please contact Craniofacial Pain & Dental Sleep Center of Georgia for more information. Together we can find relief for your child.
