School causes headache in kids: study

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Summer is almost over and it's that time of the year again when kids groan about going back to school, which could have a valid reason. A recent study shows that children experience more headaches during the fall season, due to academic stress, shifting bedtime routines, and other school-related stressors.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, 50 percent to 75 percent of teens report having a headache at least once a month.

According to CBS News, a new study done by researchers at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio analyzed 1,300 patient visits to the emergency room between 2010 and 2014 and found that in a year, visits related to headaches in children 5 to 18 were the same number up until the fall season, when visits spiked up 31 percent.

According to Dr. Ann Pakalnis, a neurologist and director of the Comprehensive Headache Clinic at Nationwide Children's, "Stress is really a significant player with children's and teen's headaches—parents report that all the time, we see that all the time, and school is the biggest stressor."

Additionally, PRNewswire reports that according to Michael Levy, M.D., Consultation/Liaison Psychiatrist at Nyack Hospital, "Every year, we see teen visits to the emergency room for behavior and mood issues spike in October. At that point, these teens have been back to school for a few weeks, and things have started to unravel for them either academically or socially."

He added: "Some teens are trying to do too much at once—they're getting involved in sports and other extracurricular activities, devoting a lot of time to friends, and spending a lot of time on social media, all of which can distract them from academics."

To equip your child for back to school season, it is recommended that kids keep hydrated, eat balanced meals on time (and don't skip meals), and regulate their time in front of computers, mobile phones or television. Children are also encouraged to get enough sleep and rest at night for a busy day ahead. According to CBS News, the National Sleep Foundation recommends 9 to 11 hours of sleep for kids aged 6 to 13, and 8 to 10 hours for teens.

For parents of teens, it's also important to watch your child's intake of caffeine, as regular intake may not be beneficial to their health. Howard Jacobs, M.D., a headache specialist at Nationwide Children’s told Yahoo Parenting: "Frequent caffeine intake has been shown to worsen headaches."

He recommended instead keeping hydrated with other forms of healthier liquids. "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."

If your child is continuously experiencing headaches and migraines, it is best to consult with your family pediatrician.