Headaches

Whether they're pounding and throbbing or dull and aching, headaches are common in kids. Headaches can have a wide range of causes and many levels of severity. It's important to understand how to recognize when a headache is just a passing pain and when it's something more and requires medical attention.
Causes of Headaches
Headaches are thought to be caused by changes in chemicals, nerves, or blood vessels in the area. These changes send pain messages to the brain and bring on a headache.
In general, kids get the same types of headaches as adults. And headaches often are hereditary, so if a parent gets them, their kids might too.
Some of the many potential headache triggers include:
•certain medications (headaches are a potential side effect of some)
•too little sleep or sudden changes in sleep patterns
•skipping meals
•becoming dehydrated
•being under a lot of stress
•having a minor head injury
•using the computer or watching TV for a long time
•vision problems
•menstruation
•experiencing changes in hormone levels
•taking a long trip in a car or bus
•listening to really loud music
•smoking
•smelling strong odors such as perfume, smoke, fumes, or a new car or carpet
•drinking or eating too much caffeine (in soda, coffee, tea, and chocolate)
•consuming certain foods (such as alcohol, cheese, nuts, pizza, chocolate, ice cream, fatty or fried food, lunchmeats, hot dogs, yogurt, aspartame, or anything with the food additive MSG)
In some cases, headaches are caused by certain infections, such as:
•ear infections
•viral infections, like the flu or common cold
•strep throat
•sinus infections
•Lyme disease
Most headaches aren't signs that something more is wrong, but occasionally headaches are caused by more serious medical conditions.