Keith R. Ridel, MDJWM Neurologist
Headaches are a common problem not only for adults but also in children of all ages. Most are mild and self limited; caused by hunger, dehydration or stress. However, many patients go on to develop migraines. In adults, a migraine is a throbbing headache on one side of head, lasting more than four hours, that is severe enough to interfere with activities. It is often associated with nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to light and sound. What parents need to realize is that migraine headaches in children are very different in that they are much more variable in their location, quality, severity and associated symptoms.
The vast majority of headaches in adults and children are benign, meaning they are not caused by anything dangerous. However, your doctor must be mindful of dangerous signs and symptoms that could point to a more serious problem causing headaches. Some of these include headaches that:
• Wake the patient from sleep or are worse in the morning on wakening;
• Progressively worsen in severity and frequency despite treatment;
• Cause vision changes, personality changes and weakness or numbness.
There are many treatment options for headaches that can both prevent and treat headaches when they occur.
