exertion headaches in a child

Question

my 15 year old son has been suffering from exertion headaches. He plays lots of sport but these headaches started to happen once he started weight training at the gym, it has gotten so bad that he now takes pain releif before he visits the gym. He describes them as at the back of his head and behind his eyes. He also does boxing and took a hit a while back to the face and his nose was bleeding. He goes boxing 3 times a week, very rarely spars though, its more physical training, running etc and does not get the pain whilst running. Friday he was sparring, took a hit to the back of his head (wears protective headguard though) and the pain started straight away and he had to pull out. We have taken him for an eye test and his vision is perfect however the optician said his optic nerves were larger than normal but it was just an observation and he tooks some photographs. We have been to our GP who has asked us to keep a diary for two weeks and go back. He did say that some alarm bells were ringing though! And this has gotten me worried. Yesterday he didnt go boxing or the gym and no headaches. He doesnt get sickness when he gets the pain

selmaS · Answer

Again I concur with Londres....the MRI is the way to go here and sooner then later,

Londres70 · Answer

That does sound like migraine activity.  You don't necessarily have to have issues with your vision....definitely can though.  

He needs imaging like yesterday.  I would be calling this physician TODAY and asking him to schedule imaging.  Also, request a referral to a Neurologist.

jocro36 · Answer

hi selma no he hasnt mentioned it, Had another headache though all afternoon yesterday and that was before any exertion. I am wondering if migraine? but he doesnt get issue with his vision , he says once the pain in his head has stopped, his eyes ache for a while after

selmaS · Answer

Hi, I again will agree with Londres70 as this needs a MRI and a NL to eval....

May I ask, does ur DS have pain from exertion with a BM? Many times this is something we do not discuss but can help indicate that this is more of an issue then just his sports.

Londres70 · Answer

You aren't being any "worry wart" as the cause of these "exertional headaches" can be serious and this should be ruled out as soon as possible.  Sometimes this is secondary to something serious going on in the brain and sometimes this is benign.....this needs to be determined.  

Well, do this "diary" thing, but I would recommend you requesting imaging and a Neuro consult.

jocro36 · Answer

yes londres- i know- it sounds like madness doesnt it!! and yes has to keep diairy for two weeks. We have had no headaches today, only yesterday after an hour of training. The hospital did say they are going to send us an appointment for a check up. Have u ever heard of anyone suffering from exertion headaches and there be a cause? I am very worried- the last thing I want to happen is he collapses and there being a sinister cause when he has seen two doctors. Am I just being a worry-wart?

Londres70 · Answer

No imaging of his head and he is allowed to carry on with his sporting?  This doesn't sound right.  He is just to keep a diary of the occurences?

Sounds like this is what the GP adviced the ER to do with your son.  

I would be requesting a referral to a Neurologist and a scan of his head.  

Sorry, a "good neuro exam" is not in lieu of an MRI or a CT.

jocro36 · Answer

hi again, my son was back from hospital after a few hours. Gvae him a good look over, first doctor said back of his eye were swollen but got a senior doc to take a look and he said they were fine. They did an ecg to check his heart and it was fine. They have told him to keep a diary like our gp said for two weeks and are arranging a follow up appointment. Have said to carry on with his training. Gave a few pointers though and said should not be waking up with a headache(this happened last thursday) and that he shouldnt really be getting exertion headaches too. Still left me worried that they didnt do an mri scan but the doc did do a good neuro exam which was fine. So suppose thats a good sign?

Londres70 · Answer

Keep us posted on the outcome dear.

jocro36 · Answer

Hi thank you for your reply. He has been training again this morning and now the pain started when he was sprinting, pain the back of the head and then once it subsided his eyes were aching. He is in a&e as we speak, my parents have took him to be checked out so will let u know the outcome. Thank again, its much appreciated

Londres70 · Answer

And the GP made no mention of an MRI or some type of imaging to be done?  Sounds like he should be referred to a Neurologist.

Whatever this is is coming from the back of the head/brain and affecting his eyes in my opinion.  Sounds like there is nothing wrong with the eyes themselves, but something affecting the eyes plus causing pain in the back of the head.  

If I were you I would have him refrain from this physicial activity until you know what you are exactly dealing with.  I wouldn't recommend taking OTC pain relievers for long periods of time for this without a physician's ok as they can be rough on the kidneys and/or liver depending on which one he is taking.