- What can cause headache in children
- What to tell the doctor at the consultation
- How To Relieve Headache Naturally
Headaches in children can arise from a very early age, but the child does not always know how to express themselves and say what they are feeling. However, parents may suspect that the child is not doing well when they notice that they stop doing activities that they enjoy very much, such as playing with friends or playing football, for example.
If a child says that his head hurts, parents can make sure that it is a severe headache or even a migraine by asking him to make some effort, such as jumping and crouching, for example, to see if the pain worsens, because one of the characteristics of migraine in children is the increased pain when making efforts. Know the different types of headache.
What can cause headache in children
Headache in children can be associated with constant brain or visual stimuli, such as:
- Strong sun or high temperature; Excessive use of tv, computer or tablet; Very loud tv or radio sound; Consumption of caffeine-rich foods, such as chocolate and coke; Stress, like having a test at school; Bad nights vision problems.
It is important that the cause of the child's headache is identified so that some action can be taken to relieve the pain and prevent it from happening again.
It is recommended to take the child to the doctor when the child says several times a day that the head hurts for 3 days in a row or when other associated symptoms appear, such as vomiting, nausea or diarrhea, for example. In these cases, it is important to take the child to the pediatrician so that an evaluation and complementary exams can be carried out and treatment can begin. In some cases, it may be recommended to consult the neurologist. Learn more about constant headache.
What to tell the doctor at the consultation
In the medical consultation, it is important that the parents provide all possible information about the child's headache, informing how many times a week the child complains of headache, what is the intensity and type of pain, what did he do so that the child to stop feeling pain and how long it took for the pain to pass. In addition, it is important to inform if the child was using any medication and if there is someone in the family who complains of a headache frequently or has a migraine.
From the information provided during the consultation, the doctor may order some tests, such as magnetic resonance imaging, so that he can establish the best treatment.
How To Relieve Headache Naturally
The treatment of headache in children can be done with simple measures, so that the pain passes naturally, such as:
- Take an invigorating bath; Put a towel wet in cold water on the child's forehead; Offer water for the child or tea. Get to know some home remedies for headaches. Turn off the television and radio and don't let your child watch television for more than 2 hours a day; Rest in a low-light, well-ventilated place for a while; Eat calming foods, such as bananas, cherry, salmon and sardines.
Other options for treating headache in children are cognitive behavioral therapy, guided by a psychologist, and medications, such as Amitriptyline, which should only be used under the guidance of the pediatrician. Check out 5 steps to relieve headache without medication.
Here is a massage you can do on your child's head to combat pain and discomfort:
