Migraine and headache in childhood and adolescence.

Headache is one of the most common physical complaints of children and adults. The authors have provided definitions of headache, a classification system, diagnostic evaluations appropriate for children, and treatment options for patients with acute and chronic headache. Also, this article has emphasized the importance of diagnosing and treating migraine headache, a painful malady that is extensively underestimated and misdiagnosed in the pediatric population and one that can be treated acutely and when appropriate prophylactically with great success. Lack of a specific biologic marker, specific investigation, or brain imaging reduce these clinical entities too often to a psychological illness. Nonpharmacologic treatments are pivotal to manage chronic headaches. Migraine therapy, if administered early and through the appropriate route, could provide important and rapid relief.