When children complain that they have a headache several times within a three-month period, parents should consult a paediatrician who can start looking for the cause.
If nothing is done to treat such cases, the headaches can become chronic, said professor Hans-Juergen Nentwich, vice president of Germany's professional association for paediatricians.
"It's important firstly to rule out other illnesses in patients who have recurring headaches," said Nentwich. This includes psychological problems or a head injury as the possible source of the pain. Primary headaches, defined as headaches that are not caused by an illness, can impair quality of life.
Keeping track of headache episodes in a datebook has proven helpful among people searching for the cause of their headaches. The child or one of his parents can record the intensity, length, the circumstances the child was in at the time of the headache and any additional problems such as an upset stomach. This documentation allows things that could be connected to the headaches to be spotted easily. These include dehydration, noise, sleep deprivation, stress or a specific food.
Migraine headaches usually include throbbing that worsens under normal activity, while tension headaches can be recognized by pressure and a pulling sensation. Most commonly, youths between 14 and 17 years suffer from simple headaches and migraine episodes, according to the children's and youth health survey. Only one-third, however, seeks medical attention.
"Apart from avoiding whatever triggers the headaches, it's often sufficient to apply a cool cloth to the forehead or lie down in a quiet, dark room to seek relief," said Nentwich. For especially hard cases and long-lasting attacks, there are drugs that can be helpful, and cooperating with a children's pain clinic can also bring results. dpa/tmm st re cf gj pb fs
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