Headaches usually are
brief and can be caused by many things, including too little sleep, eye strain, stress,
sinus infections, or a bump to the head. Some headaches last longer and come with
other symptoms. Very rarely, headaches can be a sign of something serious.
Signs and Symptoms
The two most common types of headaches in kids and teens are tension headaches
and migraine headaches.
Signs of a tension headache:
- a feeling of squeezing or pressure around the front, sides, and back of the head
- dull, steady pain
- pain is not made worse by activity
- no nausea or vomiting
- muscles of the scalp, face, neck, and shoulders may be sore to the touch
Signs of a migraine headache:
- pounding, throbbing pain on one or both sides of the head
- pain is worsened by rapid motion
- dizziness, feeling tired
- nausea, vomiting, belly
pain
- seeing spots or halos
- sensitivity to light, noise, and/or smells
What to Do
Most headaches respond to home care. To help ease pain, have your child:
- lie down in a dark, quiet room
- drink liquids
- take acetaminophen
or ibuprofen as needed
- put a cool, moist cloth across the forehead or eyes
Get Medical Care if the Headaches:
- happen once a month or more
- don't go away easily
- are more painful than usual
- prevent your child from participating in everyday activities
- follow a head injury
or loss of consciousness
- come with any of these symptoms:
- decreased alertness or confusion
- fever or lasting vomiting
- changes in vision
- weakness
- skin rash
- neck pain or stiffness
Think Prevention!
Some types of headaches can be prevented by avoiding certain things that can cause
them, such as getting too little sleep,
some medicines, not drinking enough liquids, and using the computer or watching TV
for a long time.
