Headaches in Children and Young People

Headaches are one of the most common reasons children and young people are brought to the clinic, and our Private Paediatricians in London frequently see young patients with this concern. They can be worrying for families and debilitating for the child, but with the right guidance they can often be well controlled -  and sometimes prevented altogether. 

What to Do if Your Child Has a Headache

When a headache occurs, the young person may need some analgesia. Simple over the counter analgesia is the best, paracetamol or ibuprofen are excellent pain killers, use the recommended dose. The key is to take it as soon as possible after the onset of the headache. If symptoms persist or you are unsure, booking a Private GP appointment in London can provide reassurance and prompt medical advice.

• Environment: Normally the person with the headache will want to go and sit or lie in a dark, quiet room until the headache feels better. Take the analgesia and drink plenty of water. The young person may feel nauseous or actually vomit.

• Avoid screens when you have a headache.
  

When Children’s Headaches May Need Medication

• Triptans such as sumitriptan can be very useful if taken very soon after the headache onset. These help to reduce excessive blood flow in the head, which can cause some headaches. They work in some people and not others, but the key is taking them as soon as possible.
  

• Prophylaxis – sometimes the headaches are so severe that we consider starting a medicine to prevent headaches, these are generally medicines that help to regulate blood flow, antidepressants or anticonvulsants. All of these medicines (like all medicines) have side effects and need to be started by a paediatrician with experience in managing headaches. Most importantly, it is essential to undertake the lifestyle changes before starting one of these. In some cases, headaches can also be linked to stress, anxiety, or mood concerns, where our Private Psychiatry London team may provide additional support.
  

When to Investigate Headaches in Children

If headaches improve with lifestyle changes, then no investigations are necessary, but if not then occasionally imaging of the brain with an MRI scan and very occasionally other investigations such as blood tests are necessary. It is important to discuss this with your Paediatrician or GP.

Red Flags: Headaches in Children That Need Urgent Care

We worry when the following signs and symptoms are present:

• Young age (less than 6 years of age)

• Rapid onset of headaches in a young person who normally does not have headaches

• Headache that wakes the young person at night

• Headache that is present on awakening in the morning

• Headache that is progressively getting worse

• Headache triggered or aggravated by coughing, sneezing or bending down

• Headache with fever and features of sepsis

• Headache associated with vomiting

• Headache associated with being more clumsy, or change in balance or speech

• Headache associated with being drowsy

• Headache occurring within 5 days of a head injury

• Headache associated with pupils looking asymmetrical in size or focus

How to Prevent Headaches in Children and Young People

If any of these signs are present, make sure the young person is reviewed very soon by a GP or a paediatrician. These signs are rare and mainly the headaches will respond to simple lifestyle changes.

Prevention can often be better than a cure, read our blog on ways to prevent headaches in children.