Headaches and migraines in children and adolescents
Medicinsk godkendt artikel
Headaches don't just affect adults -- it's also a widespread problem among children and adolescents. When headaches become a recurring part of everyday life, it can have a major impact on schooling, extracurricular activities and social relationships. It is a situation that can be frustrating and stressful for both the child and the family.
The two most common forms of headache in children and adolescents are:
Migraines typically appear around the age of seven and affect boys and girls equally frequently. From puberty onwards, the incidence increases significantly in girls, in which hormonal changes often play a role. In general, headaches become more common the older the children get, and girls in particular experience more frequent and more burdensome headaches than boys.
Headache can also be secondary, meaning it is caused by another condition such as concussion, whiplash, or other illnesses. It is important to identify the cause so that the treatment can be adjusted properly.
Many teens try to manage their headaches with painkillers, but overuse can lead to medication overuse headache (MOH).
In fact, studies show that two out of three girls in 9th grade have taken over-the-counter pain medication for headaches over the past month. With frequent and persistent use, the medication can have the opposite effect and instead aggravate the headache. MOH can be particularly challenging in a busy teenage day and affect both quality of life and well-being.
At Hemi, we work to raise awareness about this issue and provide children, young people and their families with concrete tools to understand and manage headaches in a way that reduces the need for pain medication.
We know that headaches in children and adolescents can be complex. Every child is different, which is why we focus on understanding the whole situation of the child — both symptoms, everyday life and needs. Our approach combines professional knowledge with a caring and educational way of meeting the children.
With us, the whole family becomes part of the treatment and thus the solution. You can read more about how we help and treat your child here.
In Denmark, there are few specialist doctors and specialists with experience in treating headaches across all age groups. At Hemi you will meet specialist and pediatrician Nina Szomlaiski, who is a headache specialist and has helped children, adolescents and adults alike find solutions to their headache problems. On this page, we focus on her work with children and young people, where she creates a safe environment for the whole family.
“My main task is to share knowledge and tools that can help the child and parents to understand what triggers the headache and how they can create an everyday life with less pain. Even small changes in routines and habits can make a big difference when we look at the patterns together.”
Nina Szomlaiski, headache specialist and specialist doctor, MHD
With her broad approach, Nina creates a thorough image of the child and tailors the treatment to fit into the child's everyday life.
Headaches in children are not just about the symptoms — it is about creating stability and security in everyday life for both the child and the family.
We help you find the answers and provide concrete tools to manage headaches effectively. The goal is to reduce the pain and give your child a daily life with more profit and well-being.
At Hemi you can start a course of treatment such as:
Let us help you further
Is your child challenged by frequent headaches or migraines? Contact us today — together we will find a solution that suits your needs.
Sources: Headache Knowledge, White Paper
