CHILD AND ADOLESCENT COMPREHENSIVE MEDICAL HEADACHE CARE

Child and Adolescent Comprehensive Medical Headache Care was created in 1998 as a comprehensive outpatient program dedicated exclusively to the unique problems of children in the Tri-State area, from preschool to young adulthood, who suffer with recurrent headaches. We provide treatment and support services for children with migraine, tension type, combination headaches and chronic daily headaches, including those with underlying conditions, such as hydrocephalus and head injuries.

Child and Adolescent Comprehensive Medical Headache Care was established by Dr. Irving Fish, who is also director of Pediatric Neurology at NYU Medical Center, because he felt that medication alone was an inadequate way to treat children with headaches. Since we believe that the best treatment for a headache is not to get one in the first place, we emphasize prevention of headaches in addition to treatment of the headaches that cannot be prevented.

At Children's Headache Care, our staff utilizes a comprehensive approach including lifestyle management, nutrition, stress management and medication. Medication, though important, is only one small component of a treatment plan that addresses the total biopsychosocial context of the child an his/her family. Our team, consisting of pediatric neurologist, pediatric nurse practitioner, social workers and nutritionists, use an integrated, multidisciplinary approach in the assessment and comprehensive treatment plan developed for each child. Our director/pediatric neurologist, Dr. Fish, performs a complete neurologic exam to determine the type of headache and rule out any possible underlying causes. He also determines the appropriate medication for each child as part of the headache management plan. The nurse practitioner approaches the whole child, assessing lifestyle, social and environmental factors which may influence the headaches. The social worker provides further assessment of social issues which may contribute to stress factors. The nutritionist evaluates the child's overall eating patterns and nutrition as well as identifying potential food triggers. Each team member makes their recommendations to the headache management plan which includes headache diary, medication, lifestyle modifications, diet and stress strategies. Children's Headache Care is devoted to empowering our young patients to take charge of their own headache, both in terms of prevention and in successfully managing the actual headache episodes. Our team works with families and school personnel when needed to assist them in creating an environment conducive to the child developing a sense of control over his/her condition and decreasing "illness-behaviors".

Child and Adolescent Headache Care is located at 345 East 37th Street, Suite 303C and can be reached at (212)818-0680. Kathleen Young, PNP or Dr. Irving Fish, Director, can be reached at this number or by email at irvfish@pol.net.

For additional information about Child and Adolescent Headache Care, please visit our website at www.childrensheadachecare.com

Frequently Asked Questions about Headaches in Children and Adolescents