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5 HEADACHE TRIGGERS – AND HOW TO AVOID THEM

5 headache triggers – and how to avoid them

STAFF

Children's Health | 3/28/2018

PHOTO CREDIT: Trinity Athletics

Headaches in children of all ages may be more common than you think. Often, a child’s headaches are incorrectly thought to be related to sinus or vision problems, frequently delaying treatment. Because young kids may not be able to communicate what’s wrong, you may notice they stop playing, avoid light or noise, or just want to lie down when they develop a headache.

Kids can get the same types of headaches as adults, including:

-Migraines, which cause moderate to severe pain and often nausea and vomiting
-Tension headaches, which may be related to tight muscles and increased stress
-Cluster headaches or frequent episodes of intense pain around an eye that can occur over many days
-Chronic daily headaches that occur on at least 15 days of the month

“It’s important to know how to recognize the different types of headaches,” says Tonia Sabo, M.D., pediatric neurologist at the Children’s Health? Headache Clinic and Medical Director of the neuro-concussion program. “Knowing what type of headache your child is suffering from, and what is causing that headache, can help you treat it and prevent it from occurring in the future.”

To help prevent migraines and headaches, Dr. Sabo encourages you to get to know your child’s “headache triggers.”

Common headache triggers
Many children experience headaches after being exposed to a trigger. By avoiding or recognizing triggers, you can help stop headaches before they start. The most common triggers include:

Hormonal changes
Headaches caused by hormonal changes are more likely in teen or pre-teen girls who are going through puberty. These headaches may be cyclical, occurring around the same time in the girl’s menstrual cycle.

Certain foods
Certain food additives, especially in processed foods, are common headache triggers. These additives may include:

MSG
Caffeine
Tyramine
Nitrates
Nitrites
Sulfites
Each child may be sensitive to different foods, so you should pay attention to what your child eats before a headache starts.

Stress
Just like in adults, stress can cause headaches in children. Children may feel pressure to perform in school or sports that can cause stress. Stress can keep kids from taking care of their bodies, leading to headaches.

“We talk about life balance with teens in my clinic,” says Dr. Sabo. “They put a lot of stress on themselves.”

Anxiety
Children who experience anxiety and depression tend to have more headaches than other children. These conditions can be treated with cognitive behavioral therapy and medicines.

Sleep deprivation
Sleep deprivation affects many aspects of a child’s health, even causing headaches. It works the other way around too, headaches wake children up and cause sleep deprivation. Consult your child’s physician if headaches are interrupting sleep.

How to prevent headaches in kids
Dr. Sabo says when eating or sleeping patterns are thrown off, it may cause headaches or make them more frequent. She suggests these tactics for preventing headaches:

Enforce regular bedtimes, even for teens
Don’t allow kids or teens to use screens an hour before bed
Encourage regular physical activity to help relieve stress and anxiety
Use stress management techniques to reduce anxiety and stress
Ensure kids eat healthy foods and do not skip meals
Give kids a reusable water bottle to keep with them to prevent dehydration
Keep a headache journal including activities and foods before the headache starts to identify triggers
Teach kids the importance of wellness, including healthy diet, regular exercise and quality sleep
How to treat headaches in kids
When your child does have a headache, you can likely treat it with over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen, rest, water and a healthy snack. If headaches are severe, you may need to see your physician for prescription medicines for your child’s headaches.

If your child’s headaches wake them up, cause vomiting or prevent them from functionin... Click here to read full article

ARTICLE SOURCE:
Children's Health
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