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Causes
By Mayo Clinic staffA number of factors, singly or in combination, can make your child headache-prone. These factors include:
- Genetic predisposition. Headaches, particularly migraines, tend to run in families. If you have a family history of migraines, your child will have a higher risk of getting them too.
- Head trauma. Accidental bumps and bruises can cause headaches. Although most head injuries are minor, seek medical attention right away if your child falls hard on his or her head. Also contact a doctor if your child has a steadily worsening head pain after a head injury.
- Illness and infection. Headache is a frequent symptom of many common childhood illnesses. Ear infections, sinus infections, colds and flu are often accompanied by headache.
- Environmental factors. Conditions in the environment, including weather changes, can cause headaches.
- Emotional factors. High levels of stress and anxiety — often triggered by problems with peers, teachers or parents — can play a role in many children's headaches. Children with depression may complain of headaches, particularly if they have trouble recognizing feelings of sadness and loneliness.
- Certain foods and beverages. The food additive monosodium glutamate (MSG), found in such foods as bacon, bologna and hot dogs, has been known to trigger headaches. Also, caffeine, which is in soda, chocolate, coffee and tea, can cause headaches.
References
- Moe PG, et al. Neurologic and muscular disorders. In: Hay WW Jr., et al. Current Diagnosis and Treatment: Pediatrics. 19th ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2009. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=3405364. Accessed Jan. 9, 2009.
- Lewis DW. Headaches in children and adolescents. American Academy of Family Physicians. 2002;65:625.
- Cruse RP. Management of migraine headache in children. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 9, 2009.
- Cruse RP. Pathophysiology, clinical features, and diagnosis of migraine in children. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 9, 2009.
- Brazis PW, et al. Approach to the child with headache. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 9, 2009.
- Anttila P. Tension-type headache in childhood and adolescence. The Lancet Neurology. 2006;5:268.
- Treatment of migraine headache in children and adolescents. American Academy of Neurology. http://www.aan.com/professionals/practice/pdfs/Headache_Peds_Patients.pdf. Accessed Jan 13, 2009.
- Mack KJ (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Jan. 16, 2009.
- Mahoney KR (expert opinion). Food and Drug Administration, Rockville, Md. Feb. 4, 2009.
- Internal analgesic, antipyretic and antirheumatic drug products for over-the-counter human use: Tentative final monograph. Federal Register.1998;53:46204.
