Children and Headaches
Children are just as susceptible to headaches as adults are. Too much exertion, heat, loud sounds, and bright lights can cause children to have headaches, and if a child feels a great deal of tension, they may have tension headaches as well. Of course, headaches also often accompany fever if a child is ill.
Unfortunately, children cannot take the same pain medication for headaches that adults take, and most children’s medication may not be strong enough to deal with the pain. Young children don’t know how to express how much pain they are in, and may not even realize that what they have is in fact a headache.
When a child can tell you that they have a headache, the first thing you should do is use an over-the-counter children’s pain reliving medication. You can also teach the child some relaxation techniques to help reduce or relieve tension headaches. Remember that the children’s medication may help, but it typically is not strong enough to completely get rid of a headache. Sleep will often take care of a child’s headache.
The child should be given plenty of fluids as well. Often, dehydration will cause a headache, and children tend to lose a lot of body fluids in their day to day activities. If you can keep the child properly hydrated, you will reduce or even prevent headaches.
Since light can cause headaches, consider getting a pair of sunglasses for your child as well. There are sunglasses that are made specifically to prevent headaches, and they make these sunglasses for children as well. Children spend a great deal of time in bright lights - whether the light is artificial, such as fluorescent lighting, or natural, such as sunshine.
If your child has frequent headaches, you should take him or her to your healthcare provider to determine the cause. For frequent painful headaches, prescription medication may be needed.