Like adults, children experience the infections,
trauma, and stresses that can lead to headaches. In
fact, research shows that as young people enter
adolescence and encounter the stresses of puberty
and secondary school, the frequency of headache
increases.
Migraine headaches often begin in childhood or
adolescence. According to recent surveys, as many as
half of all schoolchildren experience some type of
headache.
Children with migraine often have nausea and
excessive vomiting. Some children have periodic
vomiting, but no headache - the so-called abdominal
migraine. Research scientists have found that these
children usually develop headaches when they are
older.
Physicians have many drugs to treat migraine in
children. Different classes that may be tried
include analgesics, antiemetics, anticonvulsants,
beta-blockers, and sedatives. A diet may also be
prescribed to protect the child from foods that
trigger headache. Sometimes psychological counseling
or even psychiatric treatment for the child and the
parents is recommended
Childhood headache can be a sign of depression.
Parents should alert the family pediatrician if a
child develops headaches along with other symptoms
such as a change in mood or sleep habits.
Antidepressant medication and psychotherapy are
effective treatments for childhood depression and
related headache.
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