CHILDHOOD HEADACHES

• CHILDHOOD HEADACHES

Headache is the most common complaint in childhood. Its prevalence is 37-51% around the age of 7, while this rate is in adolescence. It reaches 57-82%. It has been shown that the frequency of occurrence in terms of gender is higher in boys at the age of 3-5, gradually increases in girls after the age of 5, and is equally common in both genders at the age of 9-11.
Migraine is the most common headache. Its incidence in our country is between 9.3-14.5%.

Headache;It occurs as a result of physical, chemical or inflammatory effects on the pain-sensitive structures of the head. The reason has not been fully elucidated.

• Evaluation of the Headache Patient

When evaluating the headache patient, prenatal, birth, growth and development, previous serious diseases, school status should be included in the history. The medications used and allergy status should be questioned. Physical examination is helpful in determining the cause of fever, high blood pressure, skin rashes, skin spots, neurological defects and head trauma, especially in acute and progressive headaches. The younger the child is, the more likely it is to be a serious cause of the headache. .In young children, crying, writhing, rolling on the ground, and stamping may be indicators of the severity of the pain. The time the child stops being active may be a clue to the duration of the painful attack. The underlying cause must be investigated in findings such as pain that wakes the patient up early in the morning, vomiting in the morning or at night, presence of seizures, changes in the severity and character of the continuous headache; fever, change in consciousness, high blood pressure, increase in head circumference, abnormal eye movements, change in gait.

• Important Questions in the Evaluation of a Headache Patient

Headache; Is it one type or different types?

How did it start? When did it start?

Is it intermittent, progressive, or does it stay the same?

How often does it happen? How long does it last?

Does it occur at a certain time or under certain conditions?

Certain foods, medications or Are the activities related to external conditions?

Are there any findings that give notice before they occur?

Where does it happen? What is its severity?

What type of (throbbing, compressing, pins and needles) is it?

Accompanying symptoms (nausea, vomiting, light, Do you have voice disorders?

Do you have any additional complaints?

Do you use any medication regularly?

How is it going? Is there anything that causes it to get worse?

Does anyone else in your family have headaches?

How does it affect your daily life, school, activities?

 

 

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