Posts for: April, 2018
A number of factors can cause a child to develop a headache, such as stress, lack of sleep, skipped meals and certain medications. Other times a child may suffer from a headache due to a common illness or infection, such as a cold or flu. And in serious cases, head trauma or an underlying condition such as meningitis could be causing the child’s headache. That’s why it’s important for parents to pay close attention to their child’s headache patterns.
Although it’s easy for parents to worry, most headaches in children are rarely a sign of something serious. However, parents should contact their child’s pediatrician if the child has unexplained or recurring headaches over a short period of time or on a regular basis.
Parents should also notify their pediatrician if the child’s headache is accompanied by one or any combination of these symptoms:
- Double vision, weakness in a limb or loss of balance
- Disabling pain that does not improve with over-the-counter pain medication
- Interrupted sleep
- Decreased level of alertness
- Change in personality
To help pinpoint the causes of your child’s headaches, parents should keep a diary of their child’s symptoms. Track when headaches occur, how long they last, the severity of the headache and if anything provides relief. Over time, your notes can help you and your pediatrician understand the child’s symptoms to reach a diagnosis and proper treatment plan.
Your child’s pediatrician may also ask you a series of questions to determine the source of your child’s headaches:
- Do the headaches follow a pattern or do they change over time?
- Has your child recently suffered a serious injury?
- What seems to help or worsen headaches?
- Does your child take any medications or have any past medical issues?
- Does your child have allergies?
- Is there a history of headaches in your family?
In many cases, a child’s headache may be relieved at home with simple care. Over-the-counter pain medications, rest and avoiding those triggers that prompt headaches may be enough to ease the pain.
Remember, headaches are not always a symptom of something more serious. However, parents should be mindful of the types of headaches their child has and how frequently they occur. If you suspect something is wrong or not normal, always contact your pediatrician for an appointment.
How your pediatrician in Friendswood can help with immunizations
Managing your child’s healthcare can seem overwhelming with so many doctor appointments and dental visits to take care of. That’s where your pediatrician can help. Your pediatrician wants to partner with you to make sure your child is on schedule with one of the most important tools in healthcare, immunizations! Dr. Linda Neely-Shelmire at Good Health Pediatrics in Friendswood, TX wants to share the facts about immunizations and what they can do for your child.
Immunizations protect your child from potentially devastating and deadly diseases and conditions like meningitis and influenza. Children are at risk for serious complications from these and other medical conditions. Immunizations can spare your child from illness. Immunizations are also required for your child to attend daycare and school. When your child is protected, it protects you too!
The recommended immunizations from birth to age 18 are listed below:
- (Hep B) Hepatitis B
- (Dtap) Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis
- (Hib) Haemophilus influenza type B
- (IPV) Polio
- (PCV13) Pneumococcal conjugate
- (RV) Rotavirus
- (MMR) Measles, mumps, rubella
- (Varicella) Chickenpox
- (HepA) Hepatitis A
- (HPV) Human papillomavirus
- (MCV4) Meningococcal conjugate
- (Influenza) Flu
To view or print a complete immunization schedule, please click on this link: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/downloads/child/0-18yrs-child-combined-schedule.pdf
Scheduling your child’s immunizations is vital because you must submit an immunization history showing your child is current on immunizations before your child can attend daycare or school. It’s a protection for your child, your child’s friends and classmates, teachers, and parents, including you!
Serious diseases like polio, mumps, and the measles have been nearly eliminated thanks to immunizations. Other diseases like hepatitis are rare in children. You don’t want your child to be at risk, and the best way to prevent illness is through immunizations.
For more information about immunizations and other pediatric medicine topics call Dr. Neely-Shelmire at Good Health Pediatrics in Friendswood, TX. Give your child the best protection with immunizations by calling today!