Headaches During Puberty

According to the Cleveland Clinic, headaches are common in adolescents. Research reveals that 56 percent of boys and 74 percent of girls ages 12 to 17 reported having a headache at least once during a 30-day period.

Causes

• Stress and certain behavior patterns are usually the cause of headaches for most children in puberty. Most headaches during this stage of life are benign and are not an indication of a serious health issue. Infections, colds and the flu can also contribute to headaches.

Types

• Usually children in puberty with headaches have muscle tension and migraines. There are many other types of headaches and a child must be diagnosed correctly to determine the right treatment.

Evaluation

• Evaluating a child with health issues related to headaches begins with a historical examination. Complete physical and neurological evaluations must be completed as well to determine the cause of the potential migraine. This type of diagnosis is called a headache assessment.

Treatment

• Treatment for children with headaches includes stress management, education, biofeedback and medication. Age, frequency and headache classification will play a role in deciding how treatment will be administered.

Follow up

• After a doctor creates a treatment program the child must follow up with the physician to monitor progress. Children usually outgrow headaches, but they sometimes reappear later in life. Migraines have been known to disappear within a year and never recur.