“Mom make it stop!” It's heart-wrenching to listen to your child cry because their head hurts. Kids do get headaches from eye strain, sinus infections or influenza. Too much stress and tension can cause them. Some youngsters and adolescents get migraines. They may last from several hours to several days especially in teens. Hormone imbalances may cause migraines in adolescents and in expectant mothers. According to the doctors at familydoctor.org, only 5% of children get migraines and 20% of teens have migraines. Migraines are characterized by pain in the area around the eyes, forehead and the side of the head. These intensely pounding headaches are often accompanied by nausea and vomiting. If the headaches are frequent, the doctor may prescribe a prophylactic medication to prevent them. After a while, the person will be able to feel when a headache is coming and can take medication to prevent it or to lessen its effects. Taking the medication and lying in a quiet, darkened room is usually the best way to handle a migraine.

Certain foods may trigger migraines. Nitrates, aged foods like cheeses, some preserved products and foods containing monosodium glutamate are known triggers. Doctors believe that vascular constriction is the cause of head pain. High serotonin levels are suspect as well. When a child presents with a headache, the doctor will take a medical history. If necessary, an MRI or CAT scan will rule out a brain tumor which are very rare and are accompanied by neurological symptoms such as balance, walking, talking and coordination problems. Doctors often ask that migraine sufferers keep a headache diary in order to pinpoint what the triggers are for the painful intrusions into your child's life.