| Medication certainly has its benefits in | | | | |
| headache management for kids but for some, | | | | For instant headache relief, the three d's of |
| various therapies and techniques can | | | | headaches can be helpful: dark room, damp |
| complement or in some cases, even replace | | | | cold cloth and 'do not disturb.' If your |
| medication. The risks and side effects of | | | | child is at home, tucking him or her into |
| medication mean that it is often preferable | | | | bed, turning off the lights and placing a |
| to find alternative ways of coping. Headache | | | | damp, cool cloth on your child's head can |
| pain can be difficult for children, | | | | temporarily soothe headache pain. Keeping the |
| especially when it strikes during school | | | | surrounding area quiet and not disturbing |
| hours or while at play. Prevention is usually | | | | your child can also be helpful, as noise can |
| the first strategy but when headaches do | | | | intensify a painful headache and more so if |
| attack, easing headache pain without | | | | it's a migraine headache. |
| medication may be a primary goal. | | | | |
| | | | Easing Stress During a Headache |
| A Glass of Water | | | | |
| | | | As with most lifestyle factors, it's ideal to |
| Dehydration, particularly when it's chronic, | | | | consistently maintain changes so that you |
| can trigger headaches in children. The | | | | prevent headaches from happening. If your |
| obvious solution is to ensure that your child | | | | child is dealing with a particularly |
| stays hydrated and consistently drinks | | | | stressful situation such as an exam, however, |
| fluids. If a headache does strike, however, | | | | strategies such as deep breathing exercises |
| sipping water may alleviate pain if the | | | | can provide immediate headache relief. Work |
| headache is due to dehydration. Some kids | | | | with your child to help him or her learn to |
| will also find that a glass of icy water | | | | focus on breathing. Slow, deep breaths in and |
| helps to slightly soothe hot throbbing head | | | | out can be calming and can help to take the |
| pain. | | | | focus off a distressing situation. |
| | | | |
| Correcting Headaches from Low Blood Sugar | | | | Relaxation |
| | | | |
| Low blood sugar is a known trigger of | | | | Kids can be quite open to learning new things |
| headaches and if your child has unfortunately | | | | and when it helps their headaches, it's even |
| missed a meal or perhaps participated in | | | | more beneficial. Relaxation techniques such |
| extra intense physical activity such as | | | | as deep breathing, imagery and positive |
| sports, his or her resulting low blood sugar | | | | affirmations can increase your child's |
| may have prompted a headache. Eating a small | | | | confidence and help to prevent and treat |
| balanced meal with protein, complex | | | | headaches when they strike. Relaxation |
| carbohydrates, fat and fibre can help to | | | | techniques can give kids a stronger feeling |
| stabilise blood sugar. Easy and nutritious | | | | of control of their head pain. Affirmations |
| examples of snack foods to keep on hand for | | | | are a way to replace negative statements with |
| when headaches hit are a tuna sandwich on | | | | positive ones. The stress of dealing with |
| multi-grain bread, or cheese and crackers. If | | | | headaches can leave kids feeling very badly |
| intense nausea is present with the headache, | | | | about themselves and encouraging kids to take |
| foods such as whole wheat toast or oatmeal | | | | control helps them to understand and cope |
| are simple, less likely to exacerbate nausea | | | | with head pain. Medication may be required |
| and effective in raising blood sugar levels | | | | but do try to work with your child to develop |
| and helping any correlating headache pain. | | | | alternative coping strategies. |
| | | | |
| The Three D's | | | | Alien writes for Migraine treatment. |