- HEADACHE IN CHILDREN
What is its frequency? Headache is the most common condition that causes pain in children as well as in adults. It is known that even young children complain of headaches. It is common in school-age children and its incidence increases from adolescence. 40% of seven-year-old children and 75% of 15-year-old children complain of infrequent headaches. Among recurrent or continuous headaches, migraine is the leading one and its frequency in children has been shown to be between 3-10%.
Is there a gender difference?
Headache is approximately While it is seen equally in boys and girls until the age of 7, its frequency gradually increases in girls after this age. It is twice as common in girls than boys during adolescence.
What is the cause of my child's headache?
The first thing parents ask when they bring their children to the doctor because of headache "Could something bad happen in your brain?" is the question. Although recurrent or permanent headaches are very common among parents, they are worried when their children have a headache and therefore they bring their children to the doctor even if they have never gone to the doctor for this reason. The answer to this question can only be given by a very good history, physical and neurological examination, if necessary, tests and sometimes follow-up. The primary goal in a child with headache is to determine whether there is an underlying condition (secondary cause). Once this condition is excluded, headaches that are not due to an underlying cause (primary cause) can be diagnosed. . If your headache started recently If it is present, its severity and frequency gradually increase, if it wakes the patient up at night, if it always occurs in the morning, if it is usually accompanied by vomiting, and if it is the most severe headache ever, a secondary headache should be considered. Causes of headaches with these characteristics: While there may be events originating from the brain itself (tumor, bleeding, etc.), there may also be diseases affecting other systems (high blood pressure, anemia, leukemia, diabetes, hormone disorder, etc.). In these cases, your doctor asks you questions about additional complaints and usually detects abnormal findings during the examination.
Headache often occurs during upper respiratory tract infections, but it goes away with the recovery of the infection. Primary headaches; migraine. , tension type and other special types of headaches. Among these, migraine is the most common.
What are the symptoms of migraine?
Throbbing type, unilateral in the forehead-temple area; accompanied by nausea, vomiting, light or sound disturbance; Migraine should be considered in severe headaches that increase in pain with normal daily movements (such as walking, climbing stairs). In migraine with aura, there are additional symptoms such as flashing lights in the eyes, enlargement and shrinkage of objects, broken lines, and tingling in the arms and legs. Unlike adults, in childhood migraine; It is often observed that the child wants to sleep, the pain improves with sleep, is bilateral and lasts less than two hours. Children may describe migraine pain as "they are hitting me with a hammer""something is beating in my head". Motion sickness, unexplained recurrent dizziness, unexplained vomiting and abdominal pain are accompanied by migraine in children. or these symptoms may be preliminary symptoms of migraine in children. Things such as hunger, certain foods, noise, hot-cold, and boredom can trigger migraine pain. Approximately 80% of migraine patients have a family history of migraine.
What tests should be done to find the cause of the headache?
There is no test that must be done. As a result of the history and examination, tests should be performed if necessary. Brain tomography, brain magnetic resonance imaging, and electroencephalography should be performed in patients with suspected secondary causes. Brain imaging is essential for young children (usually recommended under the age of 3). The fact that the family is very worried about their child's headache may also be a reason for these tests to be performed. There is no need to take a sinusitis film in patients who do not have clinical symptoms of sudden onset or flare-up of sinusitis such as fever, cough, runny nose. Conditions such as eye problems, problems with near vision in general, and eye pressure can cause constant or recurrent headaches. Although eye examination is not necessary for children with headaches, since eye and vision problems in children cannot always be easily noticed, taking them to the hospital due to headache can be considered as an opportunity to undergo an eye examination.
Could my child's headaches be psychological?
The answer to this question should be given after making sure that there is no headache due to an underlying secondary cause in both adults and children and as a result of follow-up. Headaches may only occur due to psychological reasons (as a result of depression, anxiety disorders, etc.). What is often seen is that those who have primary headaches also have these types of disorders or some personality traits. is the existence of man. School problems and family problems may be seen together with headaches in children. Only specialist doctors can determine which of these causes the headache. In this regard, cooperation between child psychiatrists, family, child and teacher may be necessary.
What can I do to help the doctor diagnose my child's headache?
In a child who is seen by a specialist doctor and is thought to have (primary cause) headache that is not due to an underlying cause, the condition causing this (such as migraine, tension headache) can be stated or it may be revealed as a result of follow-up. can be placed. In some patients, different types of primary headaches may occur together. The information you write down when your child has a headache (headache diary) is extremely important in diagnosis, follow-up and evaluation of treatment. The diary should include information such as the date, what started the pain, when the pain came, its type, where it is, its severity, its duration, how it went, whether it interferes with his school, lessons or activities, and whether he uses painkillers. It is extremely important to determine the causes that initiate the pain. When you have a headache, you can also ask your child to draw a picture of how he or she feels. Your doctor, who will evaluate this information, will help you with what you need to do.
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