Apart from the menstrual cycle and abdominal cramps, many adolescents deal with puberty headaches due to stress or hormonal changes in their bodies. The pain is usually managed by resting in a dark room or taking a painkiller. However, sometimes the headache may be due to other underlying conditions. Therefore, it is important to consult a doctor if you find any worrying symptoms in your adolescents. You may even guide your teenagers to follow preventive tips to deal with the issue. Read the post to understand more about headaches in adolescents and what you can do to relieve the pain.
Can Puberty Cause Headaches?
The American Family Physician claims that the frequency of headaches increases when children start growing. Studies reveal that almost 51% of children older than seven years are likely to experience headaches. The percentage increases to 82% among children who are around 15 years of age (1).
Why Do Headaches Occur During Puberty?
Hormonal changes that trigger puberty also cause headaches during the teenage years. It is during adolescence that puberty migraines begin to add to your child’s woes. Migraine headaches possibly occur due to changes in the level of estrogen, a hormone found in women. It, therefore, explains why teenage girls often complain of headaches. In fact, studies reveal that a teen may experience headache particularly before, during or after a menstrual period. Headaches are also a common sign of PMS (premenstrual syndrome) and can occur 1-2 weeks before the onset of menstrual periods. (2) Another common cause of headaches during puberty is stress. Another common cause of headaches during puberty is stress.
How Can I Tackle Puberty Headaches?
There are different treatment options meant for dealing with different types of headaches. Your teen can do some stress busting by participating in sports. It will help him get relief from headaches arising due to stress at school, peer pressure or family life. You may offer painkiller medication to help your teen get rid of that throbbing headache. Some pediatricians also recommend a dose of Ibuprofen and acetaminophen as soon as the headache begins. Let your teen sit down in a quiet, dark room for some time to ease his headache. It is usually an effective way of dealing with headaches arising due to hormonal changes during puberty (3). You should seek a medical opinion if your teen is suffering from any of the following types of headaches (4):
Headaches occurring after a head injury. Image: Shutterstock Frequent headaches (more than once a week). Headaches that accompany fainting or seizures. Headaches that lead to blurred vision and changes in the eyesight. Headaches that are more common in the middle of the night. If other symptoms such as toothache, stiff neck, jaw pain and vomiting accompany headaches.
How Can I Prevent Puberty Headaches?
While most of the times headaches occur due to hormonal changes, there may be several other factors that could trigger it. Limiting your child’s exposure to those triggers could help prevent headaches. Here are a few tips to help your teen keep headache at bay:
In the case of migraine headaches, certain foods like hot dogs, luncheon meat, nuts, and chocolates may act as triggers for the pain. Limiting the consumption of these could prevent it. Practicing deep breathing techniques, regular exercising and getting 7-8 hours of sleep a day could prevent stress related headaches in teens. Image: Shutterstock Having a positive outlook and staying confident could also prevent stress related headaches in teens.
