Headaches in children are common and, in most cases, harmless. Certain headaches, on the other hand, necessitate medical attention. While a child’s headache is almost never severe enough to necessitate medical attention, seeing your child in pain or discomfort could be unsettling and heartbreaking. If you are concerned about your child’s headaches, contact a professional: A pediatrician.
Read on to discover everything you need to know about getting your child a pediatrician for headaches.
Headaches Necessitating a Trip to the Emergency Department
- If your child experiences a severe headache, especially if they undergo a mental shift or seizure, dial 9-1-1 immediately. Strokes in children are quite uncommon. Seek help right away.
- If the child is incoherent or confused, phone 9-1-1. This could be a manifestation of Meningitis symptoms, which necessitate immediate medical attention.
- If your child has a severe headache or other symptoms such as loss of consciousness, impaired vision, hearing loss, dizziness, or worsening vomiting, dial 9-1-1 immediately. In contrast, increased symptoms may indicate a skull fracture or brain hemorrhage.
When effective treatment fails to relieve a headache, a trip to the emergency department may be required. Among the many reasons to visit the emergency room are the following:
- A decent outpatient treatment plan was abandoned.
- Dehydration has taken its toll on the toddler.
- This is a severe headache. For example, it came on quickly.
- This is the child’s initial neurological or mental change.
Explain to the emergency room triage nurse that your child has a history of migraines and that this episode has not responded well to treatment. This issue demands immediate action.
A doctor will typically take a brief history and conduct a light check to rule out anything other than migraine. Once the doctor has determined that the patient is suffering from a migraine, he or she will propose a treatment plan that includes the following steps:
- Intravenous fluids
- Migraine treatment
- Anti-nausea medicines
If the treatment goes well, your child may be given additional drugs to help avoid migraines. Your primary care physician can modify prescriptions and provide treatment recommendations.
What to Know About ER Diagnostic Testing
To screen for infection in the spinal fluid, diagnostic testing for structural abnormalities in the brain, such as a CT scan, MRI, or lumbar puncture, is required. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which displays soft tissue, is used to identify the vast majority of juvenile headaches.
Parents are well aware of the anxiety and risks involved with a variety of diagnostic testing, including CT scans. If you take your child to the ER for a headache, make sure you ask questions before they undergo any diagnostic testing. You may explain to them why the examination is being done and why it is required. You must also tell them clearly that these tests are safe and that they may simply help determine the source and cause of the headache.
Seeking Medical Assistance for Your Child’s Headaches
Consult your child’s primary care physician or a pediatric neurologist who specializes in headache management. The vast majority of chronic headaches can be managed.
You must also be attentive and see if your child develops a headache as a result of a head injury. Mild concussions are frequent and usually heal in a matter of weeks to months. Your doctor can advise you on how to aid brain recovery and what to expect.
If your child’s daily headaches worsen, get immediate help. If you notice an increase in thirst, decreased focus, growing clumsiness, personality changes, an unusual walking pace, or difficulties speaking, consult your doctor.
Conclusion
While the majority of the human population experience headaches, the common cases aren’t always applicable to children. Because children are growing individuals, they may need more help and guidance as they develop every part of their body. If your child is in pain due to chronic headaches, don’t hesitate to reach out to his or her pediatrician for medical advice.
Your Kid’s Urgent Care offers quality pediatric urgent care services to you and your loved ones. Anytime and anywhere, we’ll be available–just give us a call!
