Recognizing And Treating A Child

A child younger than ten can experience a headache. Many adults that suffer from recurring headaches or migraine report they began having them before the age of 10. If your child tells you that he...

A child younger than ten can experience a headache. Many adults that suffer from recurring headaches or migraine report they began having them before the age of 10. If your child tells you that he or she has a headache and the complaint should not be dismissed. But what if your child does not tell you or does not recognize the symptoms of a headache? You as a parent or guardian should look for warning signs there is something wrong with your child.

Of course, any change in your child’s behavior should be looked at but there are a few specific items that may suggest a headache.

* It may be unusual for your child to sit quietly in a chair, or lie in bed without watching television. They may feel tired or look drowsy. For most kids, this is a good sign they are not feeling well.

* Maybe your child does not want to take part in daily activities such as bike riding, playing video games, or playing with other children. If they just sit around and do not want to be active it could be a sign there is something wrong.

* Another sign to watch for is when your child falls asleep at an unusual time. Maybe they take a nap and that is not normal, or fall asleep at night much earlier than usual.

* They may have stomach pain, nausea and vomiting. Other stomach related problems might be associated with headaches in children.

* If they have sensitivity to bright lights or loud sounds, this may point to a headache. Most children do not mind bright sunlight or loud sounds, so if they are avoiding both, talk to them about how they are feeling.

Every parent’s next question is: “What should I do if my child gets a headache?” There are several good answers to that question. It is important to write down when your child has a headache. You may also want to keep a food journal to see if the headaches are caused by something they ate. It is important to diagnose what headache your child is getting. You should note how long the headache lasts and the severity of the pain.

At the first sign of headache pain, you may give them an over-the-counter medicine in the proper dosage for a child. If he or she has a prescription, follow the doctor’s instructions for taking the medicine. Teach your child how to recognize and begin treating the headache as soon as they start having pain. They need to know how to treat their headache if they are away from home. Talk to your child’s teacher and let them know they are experiencing headaches. Your child should not be afraid to tell someone they are having headache pain.

The nurse at school should be made aware of the child’s situation and your doctor may need to be involved so your child will get the proper treatment if a headache begins at school.

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