Determining the cause and type of headache can be challenging even to an experienced physician.

In order to develop an accurate diagnosis, the evaluation process should include a very detailed history from both the child and parents (who should partner with their doctors throughout the diagnostic and treatment process), a thorough physical examination, and a complete neurological examination.

When taking a history, your family doctor or pediatrician will become a detective looking for clues. What does the headache feel like? Location of the pain? Severity? Does it appear without warning, or are there signs of it coming? Is there weakness, nausea, sensitivity to light or noise, lethargy, dizziness? Are there auras (bright lights, blind spots, changes in vision)? How long does the headache last? Do headaches occur after eating certain foods or beverages (soft drinks with caffeine, pizza or chocolate)? Do certain situations, events or physical activity produce a headache? Are the child's headache symptoms similar to those experienced by other family members? These are just a few of the questions.

A physical and neurological examination will check for infections, muscle weakness, balance or vision problems, high blood pressure and other neurological signs that could contribute to a chronic or recurrent headache.

If the symptoms persist, or are not adequately handled through medication or treatment without medication, then you should consider consulting a specialist.

Who Should Be Consulted?
When first discussing the child's headache with your family physician, ask about the plan of action and time frame. Then, if headache symptoms continue or become more frequent despite treatment and different approaches, ask your family physician or pediatrician for a referral to a specialist: for children, a pediatric neurologist; for adolescents, a headache specialist. With the proper diagnosis and targeted treatment plan, a young person can enjoy a fulfilling, rewarding life.

To find a headache specialist, ask your family physician for a reference, or ask for a list of National Headache Foundation physician members in your state. Call our toll-free number: 888/643-5552.

Other professional resources include:

We have included more resources in the following section,"Impact of Headache on Children at School and with Their Families" as well as in "Headache Headstart...For Young Sufferers."