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When Is a Headache More Than Just a Headache?
Warning Signs From Texas Children's Hospital
For most children, the sun's glare, warmer weather, increased physical activity and schedule changes are simply part of summer's appeal. Ironically, the very factors associated with the year's most carefree season also can trigger the headache response. At what point should parents be concerned that their child's headache is more than just a headache?
Symptoms
"Although most headaches are not cause for worry, more serious symptoms include weakness, double vision, stiff neck, fever, vomiting, coordination problems, unusual sleepiness or lethargy," says Dr. Marvin Fishman, chief of neurology service at Texas Children's Hospital and director of the section of child neurology at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. "If the headache is severe, if the child has never experienced a similar headache or if the headache doesn't go away after a day or two, parents should contact a doctor because any of these symptoms could be warning signals of a neurological problem." Treatment
A migraine headache is often accompanied by the release of serotonin, which can cause an inflammation around the blood vessels going to the brain. "For moderate migraine headaches, there's a new prescription class of drugs called triptans, which are available for older children," says Dr. Fishman. "Triptans combat the process of neurogenic inflammation that causes the pain in migraines."
