Back To School Headaches

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TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI)- A new study suggests kids who complain that going back to school is a real headache, may have a legitimate point and may need to visit a doctor.

Back to school headaches, sounds like an expression kids use to avoid going back to school, but in actuality it really exists, and there are a lot of factors that can trigger these headaches.

“Due to the excitement of starting school, the stress, not knowing what to expect when school starts,” said Dr. Robin Morgan, Pediatric Neurologist at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital.

A recent study from Nationwide Children’s Hospital, shows that doctors tend to see more patients come in for headaches during the fall, than any other time in the year.

“When school starts they have to change their sleep patterning, also their diet may be different, and it’s a long day for them,” Morgan said.

Dr. Robin Morgan is a Pediatric Neurologist at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, and she says she realizes how difficult it can be for parents to tell of their child really does have a headache or if they’re faking just to miss school.

“It’s hard because with headaches, there’s no way to really know. I go back to what my mother used to tell me, if you’re not throwing up blood then you’re going to school,” she said.

Morgan says more females in their teenage years tend to come in for these headaches.

To prevent these headaches from occurring doctors at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, say children should stay hydrated and not skip meals throughout the day.

“And a routine sleep pattern, and try to reduce their stress or learn to cope with stress,” said Monica McCarley, nurse practitioner at  Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital,

And if these tips don’t work then the parent should have the doctor prescribe them medicine.

Dr. McCarley and Dr. Morgan both agree that it is crucial for the patients to properly take care of themselves.

“Typically, we do see the headaches tend to settle back down once they get into a routine,” McCarley said

“For a school aged child, their job is to do their school work, and so their brain has to be at its highest performance in order to do that,” Morgan said.

Morgan noted that If a child is having more than one headache a week, then parents should work with their child’s doctor to find ways to manage and prevent the headaches from coming.