Editing Headache (section)

== Children ==
In general, children experience the same types of headaches as adults do, but their symptoms may be slightly different. The diagnostic approach to headaches in children is similar to that of adults. However, young children may not be able to verbalize pain well.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Rothner AD | title = The evaluation of headaches in children and adolescents | journal = Seminars in Pediatric Neurology | volume = 2 | issue = 2 | pages = 109–118 | date = June 1995 | pmid = 9422238 | doi = 10.1016/s1071-9091(05)80021-x }}</ref> If a young child is fussy, they may have a headache.<ref name="Schultz">{{cite book | vauthors=Schultz BE, Macias CG | chapter=130: Headaches in Children | veditors=Tintinalli JE, Stapczynski J, Ma O, Cline DM, Cydulka RK, Meckler GD | title=Tintinalli's Emergency Medicine: A Comprehensive Study Guide | edition=7th | location=New York, NY | publisher=McGraw-Hill | year=2011 | chapter-url=http://accessmedicine.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?bookid=348&Sectionid=40381603 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161223063154/http://accessmedicine.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?bookid=348&Sectionid=40381603 | archive-date=23 December 2016 }}</ref>

Approximately 1% of emergency department visits for children are for headache.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Scagni P, Pagliero R | title = Headache in an Italian pediatric emergency department | journal = The Journal of Headache and Pain | volume = 9 | issue = 2 | pages = 83–87 | date = April 2008 | pmid = 18250964 | pmc = 3476181 | doi = 10.1007/s10194-008-0014-1 }}</ref><ref name="Kan">{{cite journal | vauthors = Kan L, Nagelberg J, Maytal J | title = Headaches in a pediatric emergency department: etiology, imaging, and treatment | journal = Headache | volume = 40 | issue = 1 | pages = 25–29 | date = January 2000 | pmid = 10759899 | doi = 10.1046/j.1526-4610.2000.00004.x | s2cid = 39115552 }}</ref> Most of these headaches are not dangerous. The most common type of headache seen in pediatric emergency rooms is headache caused by a cold (28.5%). Other headaches diagnosed in the emergency department include post-traumatic headache (20%), headache related to a problem with a [[ventriculoperitoneal shunt]] (a device put into the brain to remove excess [[Cerebrospinal fluid|CSF]] and reduce pressure in the brain) (11.5%) and migraine (8.5%).<ref name="Kan" /><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Burton LJ, Quinn B, Pratt-Cheney JL, Pourani M | title = Headache etiology in a pediatric emergency department | journal = Pediatric Emergency Care | volume = 13 | issue = 1 | pages = 1–4 | date = February 1997 | pmid = 9061724 | doi = 10.1097/00006565-199702000-00001 | s2cid = 33965477 }}</ref> The most common serious headaches found in children include brain bleeds ([[subdural hematoma]], [[epidural hematoma]]), [[brain abscess]]es, meningitis and [[ventriculoperitoneal shunt]] malfunction. Only 4–6.9% of kids with a headache have a serious cause.<ref name="Schultz" />

Just as in adults, most headaches are benign, but when head pain is accompanied with other symptoms such as [[speech problems]], [[muscle weakness]], and [[loss of vision]], a more serious underlying cause may exist: [[hydrocephalus]], [[meningitis]], [[encephalitis]], [[abscess]], [[hemorrhage]], [[tumor]], [[blood clot]]s, or [[head trauma]]. In these cases, the headache evaluation may include CT scan or MRI in order to look for possible structural disorders of the [[central nervous system]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.webmd.com/migraines-headaches/guide/your-childs-headache |title=What Causes Headaches in Children and Adolescents? |website=[[WebMD]] |access-date=30 June 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130507025935/http://www.webmd.com/migraines-headaches/guide/your-childs-headache |archive-date=7 May 2013 }}</ref> If a child with a recurrent headache has a normal physical exam, neuroimaging is not recommended. Guidelines state children with abnormal neurologic exams, confusion, seizures and recent onset of worst headache of life, change in headache type or anything suggesting neurologic problems should receive neuroimaging.<ref name="Schultz" />

When children complain of headaches, many parents are concerned about a [[brain tumor]]. Generally, headaches caused by brain masses are incapacitating and accompanied by vomiting.<ref name="Schultz" /> One study found characteristics associated with brain tumor in children are: headache for greater than 6 months, headache related to sleep, vomiting, confusion, no visual symptoms, no family history of migraine and abnormal [[neurologic exam]].<ref name="pmid11483785">{{cite journal | vauthors = Medina LS, Kuntz KM, Pomeroy S | title = Children with headache suspected of having a brain tumor: a cost-effectiveness analysis of diagnostic strategies | journal = Pediatrics | volume = 108 | issue = 2 | pages = 255–263 | date = August 2001 | pmid = 11483785 | doi = 10.1542/peds.108.2.255 }}</ref>

Some measures can help prevent headaches in children. Drinking plenty of water throughout the day, avoiding caffeine, getting enough and regular sleep, eating balanced meals at the proper times, and reducing stress and excess of activities may prevent headaches.<ref>{{cite web | author = American Headache Society Committee on Headache Education. |url= http://www.achenet.com/education/patients/headachesinchildren.asp |title=Headaches in Children |publisher= American Headache Society |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080516223426/http://www.achenet.com/education/patients/headachesinchildren.asp|archive-date=16 May 2008|access-date=30 June 2010}}</ref> Treatments for children are similar to those for adults, however certain medications such as narcotics should not be given to children.<ref name="Schultz" />

Children who have headaches will not necessarily have headaches as adults. In one study of 100 children with headache, eight years later 44% of those with tension headache and 28% of those with migraines were headache free.<ref name="pmid9793697">{{cite journal | vauthors = Guidetti V, Galli F, Fabrizi P, Giannantoni AS, Napoli L, Bruni O, Trillo S | title = Headache and psychiatric comorbidity: clinical aspects and outcome in an 8-year follow-up study | journal = Cephalalgia | volume = 18 | issue = 7 | pages = 455–462 | date = September 1998 | pmid = 9793697 | doi = 10.1046/j.1468-2982.1998.1807455.x }}</ref> In another study of people with chronic daily headache, 75% did not have chronic daily headaches two years later, and 88% did not have chronic daily headaches eight years later.<ref name="pmid19605771">{{cite journal | vauthors = Wang SJ, Fuh JL, Lu SR | title = Chronic daily headache in adolescents: an 8-year follow-up study | journal = Neurology | volume = 73 | issue = 6 | pages = 416–422 | date = August 2009 | pmid = 19605771 | doi = 10.1212/WNL.0b013e3181ae2377 | s2cid = 32419124 }}</ref>

=== Cardiac Cephalgia in Heart Attack ===
Cardiac cephalgia<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Torres-Yaghi |first1=Yasar |last2=Salerian |first2=Justin |last3=Dougherty |first3=Carrie |date=April 2015 |title=Cardiac cephalgia |url=https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25819974/ |journal=Current Pain and Headache Reports |volume=19 |issue=4 |pages=14 |doi=10.1007/s11916-015-0481-4 |issn=1534-3081 |pmid=25819974}}</ref> is a rare type of headache occurring during myocardial infarction, characterized by sudden, severe head pain that typically develops during or immediately following a heart attack. The pain is usually located in the occipital or frontal regions and can be accompanied by other cardiac symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, or radiating arm pain. This specific headache type is considered a potential warning sign of cardiac distress and requires immediate medical attention to prevent potentially life-threatening complications.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hashmi |first=Dr Hala Bashir |date=21 Oct 2024 |title=Cardiac Cephalgia in Heart Attack |url=https://health-learners.com/cardiac-cephalgia-in-heart-attack/ |website=Health Learners}}</ref>