Tension Headaches

Tension headaches cause a sensation of tightness that completes encircles the head. The neck muscles also become sore and tight.

Almost everyone has had a tension headache. Tension headaches can be cause by a prolonged use of video games or a computer, or by excessive reading or typing. About a third of people develop a tension headache two or three hours after skipping a meal. Some children get tension headaches as a reaction to stresses, such as pressure for better grades. To help ease the pain, you might try the following.

• First, when a headache occurs, your youngster should lie down and relax. Give him aspirin or acetaminophen as soon as the headache begins. It’s more effective if started early.

• Second, to prevent tension headaches, children should be taught to take breaks from activities that require sustained concentration. During the breaks, they should practice relaxation techniques.

• Third, they should also learn not to skip meals if doing so brings on headaches.

•  Finally, help your child get out of the fast track. If overachievement causes headaches, expectations need to be lowered.

During Dr. Schmitt’s 20 years as a medical practitioner and researcher, he has published over 100 articles or chapters on pediatric health care, and has been awarded the distinguished C. Anderson Aldrich Award by the American Academy of Pediatrics for outstanding contributions to the field of child development. Schmitt has also authored five books including Your Child’s Health, which won Child Magazine’s first Hall of Fame Award in 1991. Schmitt is also a professor of Pediatrics at the University of Colorado School of Medicine and on staff at The Children’s Hospital in Denver, Colorado.