Headaches in children

The Mayo Clinic Diet Book, learn more

Free

E-newsletter

Subscribe to Housecall

Our weekly general interest
e-newsletter keeps you up to date on a wide variety of health topics.

Sign up now

Prevention

By Mayo Clinic staff

The following may help you prevent headaches or reduce the severity of headaches in children:

  • Practice healthy behaviors. Behaviors that promote general good health also may help prevent headaches for your child. These lifestyle measures include getting plenty of sleep, staying physically active, eating healthy meals and snacks, and avoiding caffeine.
  • Reduce stress. Stress and busy schedules may increase the frequency of headaches. Be alert for things that may cause stress in your child's life, such as difficulty doing schoolwork or strained relationships with peers. If your child's headaches are linked to anxiety or depression, consider talking to a counselor.
  • Keep a headache diary. A diary can help you determine what causes your child's headaches. Note when the headaches start, how long they last and what, if anything, provides relief. Record your child's response to taking any headache medication. Over time, the items you note in the headache diary should help you understand your child's symptoms so that you can take specific preventive measures.
  • Avoid headache triggers. Avoid any food or drinks, such as those containing caffeine, that seem to trigger headaches. Your headache diary can help you determine what prompts your child's headaches, so you know what to avoid.
  • Follow your doctor's plan. Your doctor may recommend preventive medication if the headaches are severe, occur daily and interfere with your child's normal lifestyle. Certain medications taken at regular intervals — such as certain antidepressants or anti-seizure medications — may reduce the frequency and severity of headaches.
Lifestyle and home remedies
References
  1. Bronthius DJ, et al. Approach to the child with headache. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 3, 2011.
  2. Cummings E, et al. Evaluation and management of headache in the pediatric patient. Emergency Medicine. 2009;41:36.
  3. Abu-Arafeh I, et al. Prevalence of headache and migraine in children and adolescents: A systematic review of population-based studies. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology. 2010;52:1088.
  4. Cruse RP. Management of migraine headache in children. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 3, 2011.
  5. Cruse RP. Pathophysiology, clinical features, and diagnosis of migraine in children. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 3, 2011.
  6. Monteith TS, et al. Tension type headache in adolescence and childhood: Where are we now? Current Pain and Headache Reports. 2010;14:424.
  7. Cruse RP. Tension-type headache in children. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 3, 2011.
  8. Lewis D, et al. Practice parameter: Pharmacological treatment of migraine headache in children and adolescents: Report of the American Academy of Neurology Quality Standards Subcommittee and the Practice Committee of the Child Neurology Society. Neurology. 2004;63:2215.
  9. Lewis D, et al. Practice parameter: Evaluation of children and adolescents with recurrent headaches: Report of the Quality Standards Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology and the Practice Committee of the Child Neurology Society. Neurology. 2002;59:490.
  10. Headaches in children. American Headache Society. http://www.achenet.org/education/patients/HeadachesinChildren.asp. Accessed Jan. 4, 2011.
  11. Anttila P. Tension-type headache in childhood and adolescence. The Lancet Neurology. 2006;5:268.
  12. Mahoney KR (expert opinion). Food and Drug Administration, Rockville, Md. Jan. 10, 2011
  13. Internal analgesic, antipyretic and antirheumatic drug products for over-the-counter human use: Tentative final monograph. Federal Register.1988;53:46204.
  14. Mack KJ. An approach to children with chronic daily headache. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology. 2006;48:997.
DS01132 March 3, 2011

© 1998-2013 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "EmbodyHealth," "Enhance your life," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

  • Reprints
  • Print

  • Share on:

  • Email

Advertisement


Text Size: smaller largerlarger