Treatment for Headache
Treating migraine involves controlling acute attacks and also preventing them. Most acute attacks manage with common analgesics. Anti-vomiting medicines or specific anti-migraine medicines are needed in some cases. Here, we will discuss in detail about the topic “treatment for headache“.
Prevention involves avoidance of irritating triggers that precipitate migraine attacks. Foods like chocolates, nuts, colas, hotdogs, and monosodium in Chinese food; bright lights; loud noises; sun exposure, overexertion; hunger, and motion sickness are known to aggravate the condition and should be avoided. In adolescents, care should be taken to avoid alcohol, smoking, and oral contraceptives.
Behavioral modification in the form of biofeedback and self-hypnosis often gives good results. So, preventive medicines sometimes use when the attacks are too frequent and severe and disrupt routine activities.
Guidelines for Parents
Never take any headaches in your child lightly. A thorough evaluation by a doctor is a must for narrowing down the list of probable causes, ruling out serious underlying disorders, and, if necessary, referrals to other specialists (e.g.; ophthalmologist, ENT, or dentist).
In certain situations, it is necessary to do detailed investigations like CT (computerized tomography) or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) of the brain.
The following situations usually merit urgent detailed evaluation:
- Any child less than six years old whose main complaint is a headache.
- Increasing frequency or severity of headaches
- Abnormal neurological findings
- Recent or progressive associated symptoms such as fever, drowsiness, neck stiffness, seizures, speech disturbances, visual disturbances, limb weakness, or losing balance while walking.
- Headache awakening the child from sleep
- Early morning headaches with vomiting
- Recent deterioration in school performance or changes in behavior or personality
- Growth failure associated with headaches