Three Common Types of Kids’ Headaches, When to Worry

Every child suffers from an occasional headache. They come and go for various reasons: weather, food, infection, dehydration, or stress. Most of the time, it’s nothing to worry about, but when your child starts complaining of having frequent headaches, the whole family suffers.  

Here are three common types of headaches:

Tension Headache: These come on slowly and produce mild to moderate pain on both sides of the head. Tight muscles in the head or neck may also be present. Pain is non-pulsating.

Migraine Headache: The pain in the head is commonly throbbing or pulsating. Other common symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, and light and sound sensitivity.Sleep often provides relief for migraine headaches.

Chronic Daily Headache: Headaches that occur 15 or more days a month. These can be tension or migraine headaches or a combination.

Most of your child’s headaches won’t be serious. Consult a physician if:

• Headaches were caused by an injury, especially to the head
• Headaches progressively occur more frequently or become constant.
• Changes in vision occur.
• They cause recurrent vomiting.
• There is fever, or neck pain or stiffness.
• Your child’s personality changes, or you feel like something is "off."

The best advice for kids with headaches? Make sure they eat healthy food, drink plenty of water, and have a consistent sleep routine. If you're concerned your child's headache is more serious, Arkansas Children’s has more than 200 pediatric experts who can help diagnose and treat your child.