|  | Conditions Treatments | Headaches

Common Causes of Long-Lasting Headaches in Children

When you see your child suffering from a painful and long-lasting headache, alarm bells start ringing. Always talk to your child's doctor about the onset of new headaches but try not to worry in the meantime. There are many non-threatening causes for your child's pain.

  1. The Facts

    • Headaches are common in children, many lasting for hours or even days. It is important to distinguish what type of headache your child has, because treatment medications can vary.

    Migraine Headache

    • The most common cause of long-term and recurring headaches in children is migraines. You child's doctor will diagnose the migraine based on the location of the pain and other typical migraine signs. Symptoms that may be present in the child migraine sufferer are the presence of aura, light sensitivity, nausea and vomiting, and sensitivity to loud noise and odors.

    Tension Headache

    • Symptoms of a tension headache in children are a constant ache without a throbbing pulse, tightness around the head, and achiness at the temples and back of the neck. Doctors are not sure what causes tension headaches in children but believe it is from tension in the face, neck, or jaw or perhaps a change in brain chemistry.

    Sinus Headache

    • A sinus infection causes swelling in the sinus and nasal passages. This inflation causes pressure in the eyes and nose and can cause severe headache pain.

    Warning

    • Most long-lasting headaches are benign, but it is important to note that headaches can be a symptom of something serious. Seek immediate medical attention if your child has a fever with a stiff neck, sudden weakness, slurred speech, confusion or severe pain unlike anything they have had before.

Headaches - Related Articles