Headache is one of the common neurological complaints in childhood. It may occur due to migraine, tension-type headache, or secondary causes. In children, headache can sometimes be the first sign of serious neurological diseases and requires detailed evaluation.

Childhood migraine is one of the most important causes of headaches. It is usually seen together with nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound. Early diagnosis improves the child’s quality of life and helps avoid unnecessary tests.

Tension-type headache is more commonly associated with stress, sleep irregularity, or school-related problems. These types of headaches may become chronic and may require regular follow-up. Regulating the child’s lifestyle habits plays an important role in treatment.

There may also be serious causes underlying headache, such as tumor, infection, or vascular anomalies. For this reason, in headaches that are prolonged, increasing in severity, or accompanied by neurological findings, a pediatric neurology specialist must definitely be consulted.

What Causes Headache in Children?

Headache in children is generally classified as primary headaches, in which there is no identifiable underlying cause (Migraine, tension-type headache, neuralgias), or secondary headaches, in which there is an identifiable underlying cause. You can think of it like the two main doors of a house: the first is the situations you enter directly through the door, where there is no other underlying problem; the second is headaches that arise because of another room behind the door, that is, another health problem. Primary headaches, as the name suggests, are situations in which the headache itself is the problem. Migraine, tension-type headache, and neuralgias fall into this group. Secondary headaches, on the other hand, occur as a symptom of another disorder such as an infection like influenza, sinusitis, or even tooth decay. Sometimes, although very rarely, a more serious underlying health problem may cause headache.

Could My Child’s Headache Be a Sign of a Serious Problem?

In a child presenting with headache, secondary headaches should first be excluded. Yes, this is the first question that comes to every parent’s mind. Fortunately, the vast majority of headaches in children are not due to a serious cause. However, just like a detective, we need to distinguish serious conditions by following certain clues. Secondary headache may be caused by a health problem such as hypertension, infectious diseases (sinusitis, ear infections, head and neck infections, dental infections), and serious brain infections such as meningitis may also cause headache. For example, if your child has a high fever along with headache, has difficulty moving the neck, or has extreme sensitivity to light, this may be a sign of a serious infection such as meningitis and requires urgent medical intervention. Likewise, a progressively worsening headache that occurs after severe head trauma should also be taken seriously. Therefore, headache seen in children is a health problem that should be taken seriously.

What Is the First Thing That Comes to Mind When We Say Primary Headache?

When primary headache is mentioned, the first thing that comes to mind is migraine. Migraine is a type of throbbing headache that comes and goes like a storm. It can be seen at any age. Migraine headache is different in children from adults. In children, migraine may progress somewhat differently than in adults. For example, while it is usually felt on one side of the head in adults, in children it may be on both sides. In addition, migraine attacks in children may last shorter and symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting may be more prominent. Just like the different instruments of an orchestra, migraine can also show itself with different symptoms. In some children, discomfort from light or sound may accompany it, while in others dizziness or visual disturbances may accompany it.

What Is the Most Common Type of Headache Seen in My School-Age Child?

During the school-age period, tension-type headache is also among the common causes of primary headache. Tension-type headache can be likened to a dull and widespread pain, as if the head were wrapped with a tight band. It usually occurs due to reasons such as stress, fatigue, sleeplessness, or looking at a screen for a long time. Just as a muscle contracts for a long time, tension in the head and neck muscles may also lead to this type of headache. This pain is usually mild or moderate in severity and does not affect daily activities too much.

How Can We Understand Whether My Child’s Headache Is Primary or Secondary?

The differential diagnosis of primary headache is made with clinical follow-up after secondary causes are excluded, and its treatment is arranged. To make this distinction, your doctor will first listen to your child’s history and perform a physical examination. They will ask questions such as when the headache started, how long it lasts, where it is felt, and which symptoms accompany it. If your doctor suspects a secondary headache, they may request some additional tests (such as blood tests, imaging methods). However, most of the time, what your child tells and the examination findings will be sufficient to diagnose a primary headache. Just like putting together the pieces of a puzzle, your doctor will try to make the correct diagnosis by bringing together your child’s complaints and findings.

What Kind of Problem Can There Be in the Brain of Migraine Patients?

There may be a disorder in the brain’s electrical waves in migraine patients. Clarifying this situation by performing an EEG is important in determining the medication to be chosen to prevent attacks. Although the exact cause of migraine has not yet been fully understood, it is thought that imbalance in some chemical substances and neural activities in the brain plays a role. In some migraine patients, changes in electrical activity in the brain may also be seen. We can measure this electrical activity with a test called electroencephalography (EEG). This test may help us choose the right medication that will help reduce the frequency and severity of migraine attacks. You can think of it like a short circuit in an electrical circuit; with EEG, we try to detect possible problems in the brain’s electrical activity.

What Should We Think If My Child Has Sudden, Short-Term, and Stabbing Headaches?

Sudden pain and short-term stabbing pains may be neuralgia. Neuralgia is pain that appears suddenly like a lightning strike, is short-term, and severe. These pains are generally felt in the facial area or at a certain point on the head. Its treatment is different from other primary headache causes. For this reason, it is recommended that all children with unexplained headache be evaluated in a good pediatric neurology clinic. If your child frequently complains of this type of pain, it is important that they be evaluated by a pediatric neurologist. Because the treatment of neuralgia may be different from migraine or tension-type headache. Just as different musical instruments play different notes, different headache types also have different treatment approaches.

My Child Often Says He/She Feels Dizzy, What Could Be the Reason?

Dizziness is a condition characterized by sensations such as feeling that the surroundings are spinning, lightheadedness, or being physically unable to stand steadily. Dizziness, like the rocking of a ship, may cause the illusion that the person or the surroundings are moving. External factors, medications used, and existing diseases may be causes of dizziness. For example, your child may feel dizzy if they stand up too quickly or stay hungry for a long time. Dizziness may also be seen as a side effect of some medications. In addition, inner ear problems or some infections may also lead to dizziness. In order to fully treat dizziness, the cause of this sensation must also be identified. Therefore, it is important to find the underlying cause of dizziness and apply treatment accordingly.

Could Dizziness in Children Be a Sign of a Serious Problem?

Dizziness in children may indicate neurological diseases requiring urgent intervention, such as cerebellar damage, stroke, inflammation, and mass, or it may also result from chronic neurological diseases such as migraine. Yes, just as with headache, dizziness may sometimes be a sign of a serious health problem. Conditions such as cerebellar damage, stroke, brain inflammation, or tumor may require urgent intervention. In such conditions, dizziness is usually accompanied by other symptoms such as balance problems, difficulty walking, and speech disorder. However, dizziness may sometimes also be caused by a chronic neurological disease such as migraine. In addition, dizziness is also seen in diseases related to the inner ear. Problems with the balance organ in the inner ear may also cause dizziness.

What Is the Most Common Cause of Dizziness in Infants and Young Children?

In infancy and childhood, the most common cause is benign recurrent dizziness unrelated to transient movement. This type of dizziness is a kind of migraine, and there is often a history of migraine in the relatives of the patients. Fortunately, most dizziness seen in infants and young children is benign and passes on its own. This is called “benign paroxysmal vertigo.” This condition is actually a type of migraine and is generally seen more often in children with a family history of migraine. This type of dizziness usually lasts a short time and does not cause any permanent damage.

What Could Sudden and Short-Term Dizziness Attacks Mean?

In addition, sudden short-term dizziness attacks may also be an indicator of epilepsy. Sudden, very short dizziness attacks may sometimes be a sign of epileptic (epilepsy) seizures. During such attacks, your child may lose consciousness for a short time or make strange movements. A good pediatric neurology evaluation is required for detailed assessment and diagnosis of all these causes. Therefore, if your child has recurrent or concerning dizziness attacks, it is definitely important that they be evaluated by a pediatric neurologist. If your doctor deems it necessary, they will make the correct diagnosis by performing some tests (for example EEG) and recommend appropriate treatment. Remember, not every headache or dizziness means a serious problem, but being careful and getting specialist advice when necessary is always the best approach.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common causes of headache in children?

Headache in children is generally caused by factors such as stress, sleep irregularity, dehydration, eye disorders, and upper respiratory tract infections.

How is migraine distinguished from headache in children?

Migraine is generally a one-sided, throbbing pain and is a recurring headache that comes in attacks, can cause nausea, and is accompanied by sensitivity to light and sound. Ordinary headaches, on the other hand, are felt more mildly and diffusely.

When can headache in children be a sign of a serious illness?

If headache is accompanied by fever, vomiting, neck stiffness, change in consciousness, or sudden severe onset, a doctor should be consulted urgently.

How does frequently recurring headache affect school performance in children?

Frequent headache may lead to a decline in school performance due to concentration disorder, absenteeism, and withdrawal from social activities.

How are headache triggers identified in children?

Food habits, sleep pattern, stress factors, and environmental factors can be identified by keeping a diary to determine the causes triggering headache.

What are the non-drug treatment methods for headache in children?

Rest, staying in a quiet and dark environment, drinking plenty of fluids, regular sleep, and relaxation exercises may help reduce headache.

How do eye disorders cause headache in children?

Eye disorders may cause headache due to strain on the eye muscles, especially while looking at a screen or reading a book for a long time.

Does headache in children differ according to age and gender?

During adolescence, headache may be seen more frequently due to hormonal changes; in girls, migraine-type headaches may be more common.

Does the risk of headache increase in children with a family history of migraine?

Yes, in children with a family history of migraine or headache, the risk of similar problems is higher due to genetic predisposition.

When should a neurology specialist be consulted for headache in children?

If neurological findings accompany the pain, if the pain recurs, or if there is no response to treatment, a neurology specialist should be consulted.

Which Department or Doctor Should Be Consulted for Headache in Children?

In children, in cases of persistent or severe headaches that may be caused by stress, fatigue, infections, or neurological reasons, the Pediatric Neurology department should be consulted. Neurological evaluation and, if necessary, advanced examinations are performed to determine the underlying cause of the headache.