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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Child Has Frequent Headaches, Has Been Drinking Caffeine For A While. Could Headache Be Due To Caffeine Withdrawal?

my 11 year old has headaches and his mom says its from his tonsils. he has not had a history or sore throats or strep . my ex wife and i share custody and he does drink caffeine at my house but not at hers. he is with me for a week and then with her for a week. could the so called caffeine withdrawl be what is causing his headaches? she says he needs a tonsilectomy i disagree if it is not a necessity.
Fri, 16 Aug 2013
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Pediatrician 's  Response
Hi,

Thank you for your query on Healthcare Magic.

There are many causes for headache like:

1. Migraine

2. Tension headache

3. Headache due to vision problems such as errors of refraction.

4.Teeth and temperomandibular joint problems.

He needs consultation with the pediatrician to review his complaints and to evaluate to look for the above causes.

I advise you to consult the doctor for physical examination and investigations.

Hope I have answered your query.

Regards.
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Pediatrician Dr. Sanjuktabose's  Response
Hi
Thanks for using healthcare magic

It in fact could be caffeine headache but it could also be migraine or tension headache or functional headache.

Headache is not the only or the first symptom of tonsillitis , other symptoms like fever , throat pain , pain while swallowing are more important. All school going children have tonsils which might look quiet big when looked at but if their is no problem tonsillectomy is not recommended , it will regress by 15 years of age.
We will need to know if his headache improves after having caffeine and if he has headache only at his mothers place when he is not having coffee. If so, then start him on coffee and gradually decrease coffee quantity over few days and then stop it.
For other causes of headache - if their is a family history of headache , it could be migraine or if his headache is band like around his head - could be tension headache .Also because of the emotional stress he might be going through could lead to a functional headache.

Make sure he is sleeping well at night for 6 to 7 hours , having fluids, his school performance is not deteriorating , if he is having other symptoms with headache( like flash of light, vomiting, relief after sleeping , etc) and any change in behaviour.

If his headache continues or worsen - might require further investigations.

Hope you find this response useful.

regards
Dr. Sanjukta Bose
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Child Has Frequent Headaches, Has Been Drinking Caffeine For A While. Could Headache Be Due To Caffeine Withdrawal?

Hi, Thank you for your query on Healthcare Magic. There are many causes for headache like: 1. Migraine 2. Tension headache 3. Headache due to vision problems such as errors of refraction. 4.Teeth and temperomandibular joint problems. He needs consultation with the pediatrician to review his complaints and to evaluate to look for the above causes. I advise you to consult the doctor for physical examination and investigations. Hope I have answered your query. Regards.