Headaches
Headaches are difficult symptoms for parents to interpret because they may represent medical problems of varying degrees of severity. The cause of recurrent headaches is extensive, and some of the categories include migraine, visual problems, stress, sinus complaints, fatigue, and even masses within the brain.
If your child has recurrent headaches, a diary of symptoms may be helpful to you and to your pediatrician in determining their cause. Items to include in the diary are the following: frequency; timing (day, night or both); severity (on a scale of 1 to 5 if possible); location; duration; factors which improve or aggravate the headache; and associated symptoms (such as vomiting or nausea). For younger children, how the headache interferes with their activity may be helpful as well. Headaches regularly awakening a child from sleep are a concerning symptom that should be brought to medical attention.
With headaches that only occur during the day after school, there are several possibilities to consider. Certainly visual problems may manifest as headaches after a school day. A careful history on the timing of the headaches may be helpful. Also, new stressors at school or during the bus ride may contribute to tension headaches. Ask your child and his teacher about your child’s classroom behavior and interaction with other children. Lastly, fatigue with longer school hours and increased academic demands may lead to headaches. Make sure your child gets plenty of sleep.
If the headaches persist or certainly if your child has concerning symptoms with headaches such as nighttime awakening with headache, severe headaches, or visual complaints, you should consult with your child’s pediatrician.