Allergies Seasonal allergies , such as allergies to trees , pollen , and the like are common . Among the symptoms produced are nasal stuffiness , sneezing , watery eyes , runny nose , cough , and even wheezing . These symptoms are an over-reaction of the immune system . The nasal passages swell , and drainage from the nose and sinuses is impaired . This predisposes the individual to a feeling of fullness above the nose and in the forehead , and the pain is interpreted as “ sinus headache .” In addition , this impaired drainage can be complicated by bacterial overgrowth and a true rhino-sinus infection develops with tenderness over the sinuses , green purulent nasal drainage , and fever . The associated facial and frontal headache is real but it is not migraine or tension-type headache .
Treatment of the infection with nasal decongestants and / or antibiotics will often resolve the problem . Treatment with “ allergy shots ,” over time will often prevent these periodic symptoms . Once again , these seasonal allergies are not the “ cause ” of your child ’ s migraine or tension-type headache .
What about food allergies , gluten sensitivity , lactose / fructose intolerance , and my child ’ s abdominal pain and other G . I . symptoms ? The causes of these conditions are different from one another but the symptoms may overlap . These disorders do not in fact cause typical episodic migraine . When children and teens are ill from any condition , they may have increased headache . I am often asked if their abdominal pain is abdominal migraine . It should be stated that daily or very frequent abdominal pain is not abdominal migraine . Abdominal migraine often occurs in children who already experience typical episodic migraine . It also occurs more frequently in children whose parents experience typical episodic migraine . It occurs 2 to 4 times per month and is a peri-umbilical cramping pain , often quite severe . Nausea may coexist but vomiting is uncommon . Children may appear pale , and may lie in a dark quiet room . Most of the time there is no headache . The symptoms often last between 30 to 90 minutes .
Celiac disease is being diagnosed with increased frequency . As noted by NHF president , Dr . Arthur Elkind , “ celiac disease is often over diagnosed by lay individuals . If the physician believes the child has celiac disease and headaches from the issue , it is very important to place the child on a gluten-free diet . The diet should not only arrest the headaches , but more importantly prevent or reverse an intestinal malabsorption syndrome .” There are diagnostic procedures and tests that can be very accurate . Research regarding the frequency , severity , and the types of headache occurring in patients with celiac disease is currently underway . The stress to the patient , his or her family , the interference with normal childhood activities , decreased school attendance , and academic performance , as well as the
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