Neurodevelopmental
Headaches in Children
Headaches and migraine assessment for children in Belfast and Northern Ireland. Dr Mugilan Anandarajan, Consultant Paediatrician, assesses types, causes, red flags and treatment options.
Overview of Children's Headaches
Headaches in children are common. Like adults, children can develop different types of headaches, including migraines or stress-related (tension) headaches.
Children can also have chronic daily headaches. Understanding the type and cause of your child's headache is the first step towards effective management.
How Common is Headache in Children and Whom Does it Affect?
Up to 50 per cent of children aged seven years and up to 80 per cent of 15 year olds have experienced at least one headache.
Before puberty, headache affects girls and boys in equal numbers, but after puberty about three times as many girls get headaches compared with boys.
Types of Headache
Migraines
Symptoms: Throbbing head, nausea, light sensitivity
Triggers: Stress, hormone fluctuations, sleep disturbances
Tension-Type Headache
Symptoms: A tight or squeezing sensation around the head
Triggers: Stress, intense emotions, fasting
Cluster Headache
Symptoms: Burning or stabbing pain around the eye or temple
Triggers: Cigarette smoking and alcohol
What Causes a Headache or Migraine?
The tendency to suffer from migraines is inherited. Someone else in a child's family will suffer from them too.
There can also be triggers. Some migraine sufferers can identify clear triggers.
It is possible for them to prevent attacks by avoiding these, but it is rarely so straightforward.
How is Headache Diagnosed?
When your child sees a doctor about headaches, the doctor will do a careful check-up to find out what might be causing them.
They'll ask when the headaches started, where the pain is, and if there are any other symptoms such as feeling sick, sensitivity to light, or seizures.
The doctor will also look at your child's past health and any current medical conditions that could play a role.
In addition, they'll talk about everyday factors like stress, school, or things happening at home, as these can sometimes trigger headaches.
Red Flags in Paediatric Headaches
The following features require urgent medical assessment:
Investigations
Most headaches in children do not require imaging. Imaging like an MRI or CT scan is reserved for cases with concerning symptoms or red flag features.
Dr Anandarajan will assess whether any investigations are required based on your child's clinical history and examination findings.
What Treatments are Available?
Management of headache in children is multifaceted and involves a combination of approaches:
- Making an accurate diagnosis
- Helping understand the condition
- Support at home and school
- Psychological help
- Identifying and avoiding triggers
- Medication
Medications
Medication is of two types:
1. Reliever
To use in the acute attack during or at the beginning of a headache.
2. Preventive
Taken every day to prevent headaches from occurring.
How Can We Help?
Dr Mugilan Anandarajan will be able to assist in diagnosing and managing headaches in children.
He will look for possible causes by carefully reviewing your child's symptoms, medical history, and lifestyle factors such as stress or sleep.
Using his expertise, he can identify triggers, rule out serious conditions, and create a personalised treatment plan.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
About headaches in children in children
Is your child suffering from headaches?
Dr Anandarajan offers same-week appointments with no GP referral required. Both Kingsbridge Private Hospital and Ulster Independent Clinic locations available.