During
the COVID-19 epidemic, a new study reveals an increase in the occurrence of
headaches in adolescents
Long-term
computer use, a lack of conducive home learning environments, school exams, and
worries over COVID-19 were all discovered to be risk factors for the
deterioration of headache symptoms or the introduction of new headaches.
In
the multicenter study, which included 851 teenagers between the ages of 10 and
18, 756 (89%) of the kids reported having headaches during the research period.
10% of these kids said they had developed headaches suddenly during the
pandemic home-schooling period. 27 per cent of kids reported that their
headaches had become worse, 61 per cent that they had stayed the same, and 3 per
cent that they had gotten better.
The
average number of headaches experienced by those who reported worsening or new-onset
headaches per month was 8–9. When compared to a third of kids in the stable
group (33%) who used opioids at least once a month, almost half of the kids in
this group (43%) did so.
In
contrast to earlier findings, the team's data did not show a tendency towards a
reduction in headache frequency and severity throughout the pandemic, according
to lead researcher Dr. Ayşe Nur zdag Acarli of Ermenek State Hospital in
Karaman, Turkey.
Dr.
Acarli stated, "Although prior research revealed that school closures
during the early weeks and months of COVID-19 resulted in fewer headaches among
young people, this longer-term study has found the tensions and demands of the
pandemic finally took their toll.
According
to the study, headaches significantly impacted both mental health and academic
performance. The exacerbated headache and new-onset headache groups also had
significantly greater depression and anxiety levels, including fear of contracting
COVID-19. Additionally, these respondents admitted that they had put less
effort into their schooling and that their academic performance had declined.
Exams,
city life, weight increase, depression, and other factors were also associated
with more frequent headache occurrences in the study.
"Young
people have reservations about the quality and sufficiency of online education,
and 62 per cent of respondents stated they were dissatisfied with it, while 21
per cent were unsure," Dr. Acarli added in his statement. Age, depression,
and anxiety are all significantly correlated with headache severity and
frequency.
The
most frequent neurological condition in kids and teenagers is a headache.
Headaches can be caused by a variety of causes, including sleep, the use of
electronics, and socioeconomic circumstances.