9yo dd keeps complaining of headaches - when to worry?

[PepeLePew]

She has been a bit under the weather recently, with a cough and cold. Term has just ended, so she's caught up on sleep, but is still complaining frequently of headaches. They seem to come and go, and she doesn't have a temperature - at what point do I bother the GP? Getting an appointment is an absolute nightmare, and they usually suggest turning up and waiting, but she'd probably end up sicker than she was when she arrived!

I have booked an eye test for next Saturday, but they don't seem to be linked to reading or tv watching - she complained about one half way through swimming yesterday.

I used to get frequent headaches as a child.

They were caused by having chocolate 24 hours before. It wasn't until I was pretty old and went on a diet (age 37!) that I worked it out.

I also got them one per month because of hormones (just before period) I know she is only 9 but do they have a monthly pattern to them or could they be food related?

Now I don't each chocolate (sad).

I'd not thought of food - she will be furious if it is chocolate!

I think she is a long way off puberty - absolutely no signs at all. But they do seem to come and go - she has complained in the past as well so I may start keeping a record and see if there is a pattern.

Will see what the optician says, then try the GP.

Dd2 started migraines last May. She ended up having lots of checks including eye tests, and they found it was just migraines for an unknown (but probably stress related) cause.

Does she drink enough? Could she be dehydrated?

DS' paed reckons 75%+ of headache's in children are down to dehydration as most children don't drink anywhere near enough. That said, an eye test is definitely worth having done

xpost sandstorm

Check dehydration in Dd. My DS had terrible ear aches. Turned out it was TMJD - problem with his jaw muscles - brought on by stress. (He was 13 at the time)

Get her checked out by GP, although it took 7 weeks off school (it was that bad) for DS to be diagnosed.

Could also be worth ruling out sinusitis-related headaches? These can come and go and often follow cold/ cough. If there's any illuminous yellow or green snot you might have your culprit.

She really doesn't drink much. Never has done. Half a cup of peppermint tea in the morning, maybe half a glass of water and lunch and tea and a small cup of hot chocolate after dinner.

Will start hydrating her tomorrow. It certainly won't do any harm and may well help. Thank you.