Children Are Increasingly Complaining Of Migraines, Leading Parents To Limit Screen Time
Did you know that June is National Migraine and Headache Awareness Month? Not only do 45 million adult Americans suffer from headaches each year, but a growing number of children are experiencing the same ailment.
And while headaches are generally not a cause for concern, the Children’s Hospital of Chicago shared that parents must monitor any symptoms their child experiences.
In a recent study, the hospital actually surveyed just over one thousand parents. Their responses revealed that eighty-six percent of children have complained about headaches.
Their most common accompanying symptom was sensitivity to light, followed by fatigue, throbbing pains, sensitivity to sound, nausea, and more.
“For pediatric migraines, in particular, it is typically not the pain itself, but the accompanying symptoms that cause the most distress,” said Anisa Kelley, the Associate Director of Lurie Children’s Headache Program.
In turn, Dr. Kelley advises parents to treat migraines immediately. Otherwise, the other painful symptoms may be too far gone.
“If migraines are treated too late, oftentimes medication treatments will not work effectively to stop the episode,” Dr. Kelley explained.
Seventy-three percent of parents typically turn to over-the-counter medications to curb migraines.
Other treatment methods are also used, including providing fluids and food, turning off the lights, using an ice pack, and putting the child to bed.
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And while a lot of these methods are often helpful, many parents would like to avoid the occurrence of migraines in the first place.
In fact, thirty-three percent of respondents believe that their children’s aches are due to too much screen time.
“As a headache doctor, I have noticed that the pandemic has contributed to many of my patients’ headaches in various ways. The implementation of remote learning and a general increase in screen time has been a huge factor in children with light-sensitive headaches,” Dr. Kelley explained.
To combat this, thirty-six percent of parents have already begun restricting their child’s screen exposure.
Have you noticed an uptick in headaches or migraines since 2020? What steps are you taking to prevent them?
To read the study’s complete findings, visit the link here.
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