Headaches in Children

In order to evaluate and diagnose the headaches, your healthcare provider will need to perform a physical examination. They’ll check for things like:

• Fever.
• High blood pressure.
• Muscle weakness.
• Balance problems.
• Vision problems.

They’ll also interview you and your child. It’s helpful to keep a diary of your child’s experiences leading up to your appointment. This can help with the interview process. Your child’s healthcare provider may ask several questions, such as:

• When did the headaches start?
• How long have the headaches been happening?
• How often do they happen?
• What triggers the headaches? For example, do certain foods, situations, physical activity or medications cause a headache?
• Who else in the family has headaches?
• Are there any notable symptoms that happen between headaches? For example, does your child also experience weakness, changes in vision or loss of consciousness?
• Are the headaches keeping your child from attending school? Are they bothering your child during school?
• How are the headaches affecting your child’s quality of life? Do they spend a lot of time in bed? Do they miss out on playing with friends?
• Where is the pain located?
• What does the pain feel like?
• How long does the pain last?
• What makes the pain feel better?
• What time of day does your child get a headache?
• Do the headaches happen suddenly?
• Is there an aura before the headache? Do they experience changes in visions or blind spots? Do they see bright lights or experience numbness and tingling?
• What other symptoms happen at the same time as the headache? Examples include weakness, nausea, sensitivity to light or noise, decreased appetite and changes in attitude or behavior.
• What treatments have you tried at home? Medication? Ice packs? Turned the lights off in the house, etc.?
• Have you spoken to other healthcare providers about the headaches?
• Have you seen a headache specialist?

What tests can help diagnose headaches in children?

Your child’s healthcare provider may request imaging tests to figure out what’s causing the headaches. These tests may include:

• MRI (magnetic resonance imaging).
• MRA (magnetic resonance imaging of the arteries).
• CT scan (computed tomography).