‘Headache among children may cause poor memory’

Vijayawada: Headache among children might result in poor memory and even affect their individual growth, says pediatric neurologist Dr Bindu Madhavi.

Addressing a health education programme at Vasavya Nursing Home with Dr G Samaram in the chair on Saturday, Dr Bindu Madhavi said that children suffering from headache might not mingle with other children and even try to avoid attending school.

If any child complains of headache, they should be observed closely as to on which side they are suffering from headache and what time it is occurring, the neurologist said and added that if the headache occurs at a time of doing some work or for any particular reason.

Thirty per cent of pre-school children and 50 per cent of 5-15 years age children suffer from headache, she said.

Generally, people believe that migraine occurs only in adults but it is not true, she said and added that even children also suffer from migraine. “Four per cent of children between 7 and 15 age also suffer from migraine,” she said.

Migraine is rampant among boys rather than girls, the doctor said. “Some children might experience migraine on both the sides of head,” she said
“Nuts, chocolates, soft drinks, sour fruits, deep oil fries, butter, curd and masala foods, non-vegetarian and even Chinese food might aggravate migraine”, Dr Bindu Madhavi said.

In case of migraine, the children should undergo MRI scan and other tests and the patients should be made to take rest in dim-lit rooms. It would be better to avoid travelling in case of migraine and moving in hot sun. Necessary medicines should be administered to treat migraine.

Dr Bindu Madhavi said that some children particularly adolescents might suffer headache due to stress or tension which might continue for weeks together.

Sinusitis also causes headache, the neurologist said and added if children are suffering from headache without any proper cause, there needs to be change in their lifestyle, the doctor said.