How are headaches and migraines diagnosed in children?

Your family doctor will conduct a thorough examination to try and understand the reason behind your child’s headache or migraine. This will involve taking a detailed medical history, including when the headaches started and which part of the head they affect. The doctor will also often ask about accompanying symptoms such as aura, feelings of nausea or any seizures and avoidance of light. This is often done to rule out anything more serious than a headache. The doctor should ask about any family history of migraine, and any treatments that may have been tried previously. They will also conduct a physical examination of your child.