6-10-08

Children’s Headaches

Headaches are one of the top three reasons why children miss school, but chronic headaches can be prevented with correct diagnosis and therapy.

Many children suffer from chronic headaches that can affect their growth and academic achievement.  Dr. Hossam Abdelsalam, assistant professor of child and adolescent neurology at SIU School of Medicine in Springfield, explains the causes of headaches in children.

SOUND BITE:  “The most common cause of headache in children is intercurrent infections.  So otitis media, sinusitis, viral infection and bacterial infection, infection in the brain, like meningitis, encephalitis.  Other causes would be primary headaches, and these are migraine, the most common form, and tension type headaches.”

He says symptoms for headaches can often include abdominal pain and vomiting as well as head pain, so it may be hard to diagnose.   Several medications are available and have proven very effective for treating headaches in children.   Dr. Abdelsalam explains some treatment options.

SOUND BITE:  . .  regular sleep, regular three meals, keeping well hydrated, especially with the summer is coming in.  If we go beyond that step, if these things didn’t work, then sometimes simple, again For infrequent headaches, simple over-the-counter medications can work.  We are talking about Tylenol, which is acetaminophen, Ibuprofen, naproxen . . .”

Children who have severe and re-occurring headaches should see their primary care physician, who may refer them to a headache specialist for further evaluation and possible treatment.

This is Ruth Slottag at SIU School of Medicine in Springfield.