My son has headaches and I don't know which specialist can help | ExpatWoman.com
 

My son has headaches and I don't know which specialist can help

188
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 05 September 2015 - 22:30

My 8 y.o. son has headaches (on his forehead). Not every day. Occasionally. And this has been like this over the past few years now.
I have obviously talked to pediatricians (not one) and all of them said he's fine and didn't see anything serious and that many children do have headaches during intensive growth period.
I also consulted neurologist. He also said he didn't see anything bad but just in case we did CT scan followed by MRI. They came out fine. And this was about 2 or 3 years ago and since then we did MRI every year to check if everything was still ok. And we were ok, thank God.

I used to relate most of this to dehydration (as I had such experience myself in the past, during first year of moving to Dubai). I keep on telling him to drink water as he drinks very little in my opinion (hardly 1 L throughout the whole day of which half is by force).
Since school started I cannot control that water intake until he is back. He only drinks what's in his water bottle (some 300ml which I give in the morning) and doesn't refill and by afternoon his headache starts. That's how I diagnose the cause of his headache. I know there could be some degree of stress involved too (he is expected to read every day, do homeworks, after school sports activities, some language courses, which he hates, etc)
Maybe I am wrong? Maybe I should consult some other specialist? Has anyone had similar problem and how are you solving this? Maybe this is more psychological and perhaps I should see a psychologist (in which case could you please recommend one)? Or this is something he will outgrow eventually? I don't want this to turn into some life-long chronic form that could potentially influence quality of his life.
I really want to help my child but really stuck

20
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 02 October 2015 - 20:22
After my misadventure, i was told that i could have gone to an osteopath. I read a little about them and they have the same training as a regular MD.In the US, they are also licensed to make prescriptions, and some continue to study further to become surgeons, etc. All the very best, take care.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 02 October 2015 - 16:30
Hi, sorry to hear about your son's headaches. I would recommend Russell Hill who is an amazing osteopath and works at Optimal Therapy in studio city (04/4572048). I know he has worked with many adults and children with similar problems with good results. As it has been mentioned headaches can be multi-factorial and osteopaths are trained to look and treat these problems holistically!.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 02 October 2015 - 09:37
I had a really bad experience with a chiropractor in Dubai and would like to share my story. Sorry for the long post, but research is a must before you go to a chiropractor (read about chiropractic abuse). There are certainly decent chiropractors who want to help, but watch out for the obvious signs of fraud. You are very vulnerable when you reach out to a medical professional. A couple of months ago, I delivered a baby. But soon after, I started feeling sharp pains in my knees. I couldn't bend them and every morning I would wake up by the pain. I went to one of those villa-clinics on Al Wasl road to see a Chiropractor. I was desperate and was looking for some serious help. The guy presented himself well and started the most amazing talk on his ability to heal me and this gave me hope. I was sent to do couple of x-rays of my knees, spine and neck. I was referred to a place (on Al Wasl road) for the x-rays. The next day, we went back to the 'clinic' and the guy emphasised that he treated similar cases and presented us with a 'treatment plan'. It was ridiculously expensive! A 3 months treatment 'package' was costing me 18,000 dhs - this meant 500 dhs per session x 3 times a week over 3 months. After a kind 'discount' of 10% it came down a bit. Little did I know that I was made to sign and make the advance payment, this tied me up to his 'treatment'. We went religiously to all the sessions for the 1st month. It was difficult as I had my little one (I breastfeed !), but keeping the thought that things would get better, we continued the treatment. During the sessions, we would be shown videos on the miracles of chiropractic healing ! along with testimonies of his previous patients, all this to get our trust. The chiro would do manipulations on my spine and my head, but nothing on my knees. He would tell us that everything is related to the spine, kept saying that he was UK trained (Wales) and had very good experience on the subject. I was made to believe that I had a slip disc which normally requires surgery, but which could be fixed through chiropractic adjustments. I had a c-section during my delivery and with the manipulation, I developed other pains. I was bleeding at times due to the pressure of the adjustments on my belly. My hubby kept telling me that he was treating everything, except my knees ! Even though I had doubts about the treatment, I kept going because I was desperate for a cure. After a month, my knees kept on paining - the pain was worst ! and now, it started swelling really bad. I was told that it was normal, there would be flare-ups and that I had to continue the treatment. I couldn't take it anymore I went to see a specialist knee surgeon. I went to the boldest guy so that I would get to get a honest opinion. I was shocked to learn that there was water accumulation in my knees and a simple procedure would take it out - which I did. This is a known issue with pregnant women and was easily fixed. Obviously the Chiro did not know the subject, but kept me in his trust and binded me with his treatment plan. The surgeon told me that the neck and knees are not related whatsoever. I felt cheated, not only did I spend a lot of money (not covered by insurance !) but mainly that I put my trust in a 'medical practitioner' but the chiro knowingly abused it in every possible way. When you go to a doctor, you put your most precious health in their hands, but sadly some people abuse it. You wouldn't know it, most people don't know much about medical problems and their complexity. Since this episode, I still suffer from occasional strong migranes. I started documenting myself on chiropractic practice, thing which I should have done well before. I was unpleasantly surprised to see that there’s a lot on wrong doings, scams, frauds from Chiropractors. They will pretend to heal anything and will tell you that everything is related to the spine. A Doctor of Chiropractic is not a real doctor. Their training is vastly inferior to medical doctors, and a lot is based on un-proven sciences, even to the point of including pseudosciences. It was surprising to see the common fraudulous techniques that most chiropractors use around the world. I experienced them first hand! They pretend to heal everything ! They will find problems where none exists and convince you that you are sick. They make you take a lot of unnecessary x-rays. They bind you through long treatment plans. They use very convincing words. They will charge excessively for their services. I learnt the hard way that Chiropractors can't heal much. They do heal lower back musculoskeletal issues, but no more than that. They will sell you what you don't need (and what also they don't understand!). A lot of damage can be caused by chiropractic, some people have died through the manipulation (strokes can and have occurred). The pop sound that you hear during adjustments is not something getting back in place - but gases being released from synovial fluids. They make you believe otherwise! they rely a lot on the placebo effect. I also found out that the x-ray centre where I was referred to, sponsors chiropractic events in Dubai ! They go hand in hand ! I feel really sick thinking about the breach of trust. I don't want anybody to go through this torment. I stopped seeing the Chiro, didn't get my health back nor my money ! I talked to the chiro about the fraud, he did not take responsibility for it. I sought legal advice, but was told that it would be difficult to prove malpractice. This is how they get away with it… I am so angry at myself for not having done my research before going to a chiro.
356
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 08 September 2015 - 09:31
Have you taken him to a chiropractor? They amazing, with the thing they cure and you would even think of it at first. Dr Charles Jones in healthcare city, treated my daughter for her migraines. She hasnt had one for years now.Sometime, headaches can stem for neck pain. Highly recommend him to everyone I know.
188
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 September 2015 - 21:40
Thank you, ladies, for your valuable recommendations and your kind wishes. I started giving him a juice box and a half liter bottle of water on top of what he gets in his refillable water bottle to the school. Also giving him extra cup of tea in the morning for breakfast. And giving him big water bottle after school until dinner. So far so good. I will now need to ensure he gets enough hydration during and after his intensive sports classes.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 September 2015 - 18:00
Sorry to hear about your son's headaches. I suggest you check if his head aches are FOOD related. Food additives, night shades, some nuts, cheeses etc cause headaches for some. Just do a list and see if anything on the headache times/days may be the culprit. Wish you well.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 07 September 2015 - 14:57
Eyesight - is first to check if the pain is more towards the end of the day eyes are likely. Sinusitis - Air conditioning in Dubai can contribute to long term sinus problems, to have sinusitis you do not necessarily need to have a stuffy nose. The most common symptom is pain in the forehead which will normally feel worse when leaning forward and may also be able to feel pressure then too. I had a headache every morning for four years before a doctor figured it out morning headaches are common with sinusitis. A humidifier in his room may help. Cervical spine - it is unlikely in someone of his age but various joints in the cervical spine can cause head pain in the forehead, a physiotherapist will know which ones. Diabetes - high/low blood sugar can cause headaches, you could run a diabetes test. Stress - from school, bullying or he may just naturally be an anxious child, if you think this may be the case try talking to him and see if there is anything you can do to help. Low blood sugar - from not eating frequently enough. Dehydration - as you suggested dehydration is a massive cause to headaches, whilst unhealthy perhaps adding a splash of fruit juice to his water to encourage him to drink may help? You could try putting fruit pieces in to give the water more flavour? Perhaps make a diary of: what he eats how much water he drinks sleeping patterns reading/using computer times when headaches occur other symptoms when he has headaches Then you can try to go from there to see what it may be. If you do look to be referred to another doctor this will also help them find the cause of the issue. I would question your neurologist though as I have never in all my life heard of doing a routine MRI every year to 'check things are still okay' when they don't actually have a diagnosis of anything being wrong. A doctor should continue investigations until they find the cause of the symptom. Or if the cause is found then monitor it with routine scans as appropriate. Sorry but this just sounds like another doctor raking in the $$$ with kick backs from referring for expensive scans.
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EW GURU
Latest post on 06 September 2015 - 15:37
If it's not related to eyesight. Another thing to do is note down all the food your son eats on the days he gets a headache and see if there is a link. It could be a food intolerance. Also stress and lack of sleep can sometimes cause headaches.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 06 September 2015 - 11:41
Barlas I really struggled to get my now 9 year old son to drink enough water and it caused him headaches, lethargy, poor concentration etc etc. Even now in school he often does not drink enough but what I do works. I bought lots of very easy to drink from sippy type containers. I felt giving him a heavy 750ml container was too much and turning him off drinking at all!. At breakfast he drinks one, on the way to school he drinks one (they hold 300ml each and are by OXO, I got them from Amazon) After school I keep refilling and hes now defo getting enough to drink. Dehydration can be at the root of so many problems! I would definitely get his eyes tested too. Ask his teacher to remind him to drink also. Best of luck!
188
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 06 September 2015 - 10:23
Thanks a lot. I didn't even consider checking his eyes as we had an eye test last year (he had an eye infection, so they also checked his eyesight) and it was ok then. But he uses/plays gadgets (more during summer holidays than now) and it might have got worse. Will consider osteopath too. Thanks a lot
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 06 September 2015 - 08:38
Definitely check his eyes. My six years old son also has headaches and I consulted our ophthalmologist who said frontal headache can be caused by complications with eye sight. If you decide to do the test I can highly recommend Dr. Grim at Gulf Eye Center on SZR (Fairmont hotel). All the best
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 06 September 2015 - 01:04
Have you taken him for an eyetest? A lot of times children get headaches due to eye strain as their vision slowly deteriorates but it is at such a slow pace that they dont realize their vision isnt 100% anymore. If it is not his eyes it could be also dental related. There are so many things actually....Perhaps also check with an Osteopath. They can also check if the skull alignment is intact etc.
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EW GURU
Latest post on 06 September 2015 - 00:29
If neurologist etc says all ok then I would try an osteopath.
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 05 September 2015 - 22:46
Sorry to hear about your son's headaches. Hope they go away soon! You seem to have tried traditional medicine (neurologists & pediatricians) without any conclusive answers. If you are open to alternative therapies, you can look into cranial osteopathy. It is offered at the Osteopathic Health Centre ([url=osteopathydubai.com/treatments/cranial-osteopathy/'>link[/url'>) in Dubai. It may help relieve some of the headaches, but I'm not sure whether it will provide you with any answers. Good luck and all the best to your DS!
 
 

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