Research shows that three-quarters of adolescents experience headaches. The most common type of a pediatric headache is tension (some refer to this type of headache as a "stress" headache). Children usually start to develop tension headaches at around 10 years of age. The causes vary, as do the treatments.
Causes
Researchers from the Children's Hospital at Penn State write that muscle tension in the neck, shoulders and head causes stress headaches. The cause of the tension might be physical, from remaining in one position for long periods of time (i.e., working or playing on a computer for hours). Emotional stress, such as from school or social situations, can also cause tension headaches.
Symptoms
The American Academy of Family Physicians describes a tension headache as a persistent dull, "achy" pain on both sides of the head. Some children, according to the Penn State researchers, describe the pain as a tight band encircling their head. Others experience sore neck muscles. Pediatric tension headaches---like those in adults---usually develop throughout the day, progressively getting worse.
Diagnosis
Because there is no specific test for tension headaches, a doctor will take a detailed patient history, including when the headaches occur and how long they last, and examine the child to rule out any disease or condition, including migraine. Children experiencing tension headaches more than 15 times per month are diagnosed with chronic tension headaches. Doctor will often check these patients for signs of depression or anxiety.
Treatment
After a pediatrician or family doctor has diagnosed tension headaches, she will usually provide a two-pronged treatment plan comprising management and pain relief.
Management involves determining any specific triggers for a tension headache---such as prolonged computer use or stressful situations---and avoiding them. Keeping a headache journal can help children and their parents identify specific triggers to avoid. The Penn State researchers also state that children should be encouraged to eat healthy meals and get enough sleep.
For pain relief, doctors will likely advise over-the-counter (OTC) medication---typically acetaminophen or ibuprofen. It is important for the child to take the recommended medication at the proper dose shortly after the headache begins, before the pain becomes excessive.
Warnings
Because of the risk of Reye's syndrome, a rare and often fatal disease, aspirin should never be given to child or adolescent for headache treatment. Additionally, because headaches can be a symptom of something more serious, parents are advised to consult a medical expert when their children first start experiencing them.
Tags: tension headaches, Penn State, cause tension, pain relief, Penn State researchers, specific triggers, State researchers