10 May 2019 Author : Raquel Gil-Gouveia Children who suffer from headaches should not : Have to live with restrictions Limit themselves out of fear of a headache. We can help them learn how to control the disease and we should not let migraines control their lives. Children have headaches too and, as in adults, the vast majority are not the consequence of other diseases, such as rhinitis, sinusitis, poor eyesight or others. But another disease is suspected if the headaches keep getting worse or associated with: Seizures; Drowsiness and fever; Weakness on one side of the body; Double vision; Lack of balance; Morning sickness; Other troubling symptoms. Symptoms of headaches in children The most common diseases that cause headaches in children are: Tension headache : affects 4% to 10% of children Migraine : affects 3% to 7% of children. Migraines involve recurrent headaches , accompanied by: Malaise; Pallor and dark circles under the eyes; Lack of appetite; Nausea or even vomiting; Intolerance of light and noise; Difficulty concentrating; Wanting to lie down and be quiet or even sleep. The pain can be severe and usually occurs in the forehead or the whole head. They are short (hours) and clear up with sleep or a painkiller . The diagnosis is clinical, which means that a trained physician can identify what type of headache it is. Three out of four children with migraine have an identical case in the family, in parents, siblings or more distant relatives. A chronic but treatable condition Migraine is a chronic, incurable condition. This means that these children will probably have symptoms all their lives. However, the fact that some children start very young does not necessarily mean that the condition is more serious than if onset is in adult life. The severity of a migraine is mainly measured by the suffering and incapacity during attacks. A day with severe migraine is a lost day that recurs cyclically at a given frequency. Treatment should be adjusted on the basis of incapacity and suffering . In 85% of cases in children, the following are enough to control the condition: Simple lifestyle measures; A painkiller in the event of an attack. It is a condition with a good prognosis because: It tends to improve after middle age; It rarely has effects other than the attacks themselves. However, there are many factors that influence its severity: Some are determined by the aggressiveness of the condition itself; Others are related to the system (e.g. hormonal factors); Others are associated with lifestyle and individual susceptibility factors - the so-called triggers. In more complicated cases, special medications may be necessary to decrease the frequency of attacks. This preventive medication is useful in relieving pain and is also essential in preventing a possible complication that occurs more easily in individuals with very frequent attacks: overuse of painkillers. Did you know? Migraine is a chronic condition, but it can be treated; The treatment is adjusted to the needs of each child; It tends to improve after middle age. Meet the neurology team from Hospital da Luz network and book your consultation The content published in the Health Guide is intended for the general public and is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It does not replace individual medical assessment, diagnosis, or personalized clinical advice from a qualified healthcare professional. The content is produced or reviewed by physicians and other healthcare professionals at Hospital da Luz and is based on the knowledge available at the time of publication or the most recent update, as indicated at the beginning of each item.
