11 year old with consist headache

my 11 year old started getting headaches about 4 days ago, the headaches are in the same spots it starts at the sinus cavitiy between the eyes and then forehead, the headaches are very bad everyday, they do go away then come back, atleast twice a day, we noticed minor swelling above his left eyebrow, he has no discahrge from his nose, i have a history of migranes (migraines) that started around his age, could this be migranes (migraines) or a sinus infection.               concerned parents

[marileew]

Hi tony798,

You are right, these could be migraine headaches especially since you suffer from migraine headaches. Migraine is a hereditary disease, which means that there is a good possibility that your child either has migraine headaches or could at one point in his life develop migraine headaches. Both of my parents, as well as two of my grandparents (one on each side of the family) have migraine headaches, and I have migraine headaches too! My dad has them because his dad had them, and my mom has them because her mom had them, and I have them because my parents have them. So, it would make sense for your son to have migraines too. The headache sounds very much like a migraine headache from the way you describe it, except for the swelling. The swelling concerns me a bit.

Children are very active and can sometimes hurt themselves during play without taking much notice to it. If you haven't already asked your son if he has hit his head or fallen recently, then you should ask him. Even if he doesn't remember doing this, it is still possible that he might have and just did not notice or has since forgotten. If he tells you that he has recently fallen or hit his head, then you should take him to a doctor because he might have a concussion and that might be the source of his headache.

A doctor will also be able to run blood tests to tell you if your son has a sinus infection. It is important to note that most headaches that are originally diagnosed as sinus headaches are actually being misdiagnosed and are really migraines. Headaches caused by a sinus infection usually present with other sinus-related symptoms, so if he does not have a fever or a runny nose, then it is very unlikely that this is a sinus infection. Also, it is much more common for someone to have a migraine headache than head pain caused by a sinus infection. Still, a doctor will be able to do a blood test to completely rule out the possibility of a sinus infection.

I hope that your son feels better soon! Keep in touch to let us know how he is doing.

Thank you for writing,

- marilee

[Dr Santos]

Hi,
How is your son? Can you elaborate on the swelling on his left eyebrow? Sinus headaches usually present with pain over nasal area, often increasing in severity throughout day. It is important that you have him see his attending doctor to rule this out. Possible cause are acute infection but this usually presents with fever, producing blockage of sinus ducts and preventing normal drainage. As Marilee mentioned, sinus headaches are rare and are often misdiagnosed as migraine and cluster headaches. Take care and do keep us posted.