Why Kids Get More Headaches in the Fall
Ouch: Back-to-school season prompts more headaches in kids than any other time of year, according to a new study. But with a few easy fixes, parents can help kids avoid brain pain. (Photo: Getty Images)
For a surprising number of kids, getting back into the school grind means grinding headaches. A new study from researchers at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, reveals that during the autumn months, kids between the ages of 5 and 18 experienced tension headaches and migraines more than at any other time of the year.
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“There is over a 30 percent increase in headaches in the fall, related to the start of school,” Howard Jacobs, M.D., a headache specialist at Nationwide Children’s, tells Yahoo Parenting of the research, which examined the rate and dates of kids’ emergency room visits for headaches over the last five years.
“Stress is really a significant player with children and teens’ headaches,” Ann Pakalnis, M.D., lead study author and director of the Comprehensive Headache Clinic at Nationwide Children’s, has said of the research. “And school is the biggest stressor.”
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Turns out, everything related to a return to the classroom can be aggravating, from academics to activities. The researchers report that changes in sleep, schedule, extracurriculars, and, of course, pressure to get good grades all contribute to brain pain, with no single factor packing a bigger punch than another. “It generally seems to be the combination of stressors ‘piling up’ that brings this on,” Jacobs tells Yahoo Parenting.
And the phenomenon doesn’t just afflict type A perfectionists. “It is not related to how good or bad the patient’s academic performance is,” he adds. “No matter how well, or poorly, you do in school, the stresses are still there.”
The good news is, parents can help kids avoid the aches. Encouraging students to get a consistent amount of z’s is an easy start, says Jacobs. “An adolescent should be getting about nine hours of sleep,” he advises. “The brain seems to need this to rest and recharge for the next day.” Naps are a no-no, though, Jacobs cautions, because they “interfere with the brain’s ability to sleep well at night.”
Eating habits are also vital. Having three meals a day can help ward off headaches. “The brain runs on energy,” he explains. “Not providing that energy in a timely manner is a stress to the brain, and stress brings on headaches.” So even if your kids are running crazy late for the bus, stash some breakfast food in their bag rather than forgoing that first meal. “It’s the most important one of the day,” he says. “The brain has not had any new energy overnight and needs the refueling in the morning. In a rush, even a cereal bar is enough.”
Fuel kids up with liquids, too. “The heart is trying to pump energy up to the brain, so the better hydrated you are, the easier it is for your heart to do that,” advises Jacobs, who recommends 64 daily ounces of any liquid that doesn’t contain caffeine. “Frequent caffeine intake has been shown to worsen headaches,” he says.
Exercise is another smart step. “It’s thought to improve the function of the mitochondria, the batteries, of our cells, and not just in muscles but everywhere including the brain. The better they produce energy, the less stress on the cell, and in the brain, which translates to less headache.”
But if kids still struggle with headaches after putting these practices into play, consider professional help. “Often a psychologist can be a huge asset in helping kids find better ways to deal with stressors,” says Jacobs. “Things that are causing obvious stress need to be dealt with.”
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