It's hard enough coping with headaches as an adult. Imagine how difficult it can be for young children. What's even worse is that if you or your partner suffers from headaches, there's a good chance that your child will be cursed with the same issues because they're hereditary. There are plenty of causes of headaches, including dietary choices, excessive caffeine, vision problems, skipping meals, dehydration, stress, minor head injuries, sleep issues, loud music, medications, long road trips and other factors. {relatedarticles}Headaches can also be triggered by sinus issues, strep throat, viruses or ear infections. In children, the most common types of headaches are tension headaches and migraines. Tension headaches are usually associated with a dull aching, pressure around the front or sides of the head. It almost feels as if the head is being squeezed. Migraines are more like a pounding pain that's accompanied by dizziness, nausea and light sensitivity.
These migraines can last between a half hour and several hours. If your child is complaining about pain in the head, it usually isn't caused by something serious. However, if the headaches come back over and over, you should consult your child's physician. It's important to take notice of the symptoms that occur along with the headaches. Also keep track of what your child has eaten in case the headaches are diet-related. {relatedarticles}Also note any activities that predicated the onset of the headache. Of course, the most important thing is to figure out how to make your child more comfortable when a headache hits. Have your child lie down in a dark room. Apply a cool compress to the forehead or eyes. Practice deep breathing techniques. Treat your child with an appropriate amount of pain reliever as recommended by your child's doctor. However, avoid giving aspirin to teens or kids as it has been linked to Reye syndrome.