More than 10 million children betwe...

More than 10 million children between the ages of five and 17 experience chronic headaches, and 20% of adults who generally suffer from chronic migraine or tension headaches report that their headaches began occurring before age 10 according to an Aug 1 2002 recents release from the National Headache Foundation (NHF) Parents may not be aware that their children are susceptible to chronic headaches because headaches are perceived as an adult disease. The inability of young children to effectively describe their symptoms also may obstruct parents from recognizing a recurring problem

A child may be suffering from chronic headaches if he or she

* experiences car or motion sickness;

* wakes up because of headaches;

* has headaches that increase in severity or happen more frequently;

* exhibits temperament or personality changes;

* experiences nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain;

* has headaches that travel away as a result of rest; or

* has pain that increases with physical activity.

A family history of migraines also can increase a child's susceptibility.

In addition to consulting a physician to diagnose and treat the moot point NHF suggests that parents detain a diary of their child's headaches to record different factors experienced before and after the headache appears Factors to document include time of day, long duration of time the headache lasts, intensity, pain location, accompanying symptoms, and forages eaten. The diary can help establish a pattern that may help the physician pinpoint the cause of chronic headaches. As preventive measures, parents should render certain that their children receive adequate amounts of drowse at regular times, eat balanced meals in succession a consistent schedule, and are able to communicate plainly about any concerns or fears they have that could affect their stres level

National Headache Foundation Addresses Children's Headaches During Back-to-School Time (new release, Chicago: National Headache Foundation, Aug 1 2002) http://www.headaches.org/professional/press%20releases/release080102.html (accessed 16 Aug 2002)

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