Many children experience headaches in response to underlying health issues, such as depression, their responses to the surrounding environment, and more. According to the Mayo Clinic, headaches are painful sensations, sharp or dull, that occur on any part of the head for ranging periods of time (Mayo Clinic, 2022). Past studies have shown a relationship between electronic media usage and headaches in adolescents (Milde-Busch A et. al, 2010). As there is no direct source of headaches, it is hard to determine one specific reason for the development of headaches in pre-teens and young adults. However, there are studies that illustrate a correlation between common health concerns and headaches. In a current research article conducted in 2018, the authors conducted a study to determine the relationship between headaches, their risk factors, and other health complaints. The authors suggested that the strongest connection in relation to headaches would be amidst alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking, use of electronic media, and physical inactivity (Jurisic et al. 2018).
A recent study conducted by researchers of the Croatian Institute of Public Health, analyzed the interrelationship amidst headaches and common health complaints within adolescents. The data collected for this study was conducted in April of 2014. Participants were students aged 11, 13, 15. Using an anonymous questionnaire, the Croatian Institute of Public Health accumulated a random sample for the authors to use. The sample consisted of 5741 students, 48.9% being girls and 50.2% being boys. The questionnaire contained 74 questions. One section pertained to the health complaints that the students experienced. These questions were assessed using a scale of 1-5, 1 being experiencing them every day and 5 being rarely or never. To determine the frequency and distribution of answers, the researchers conducted a statistical analysis of the questionnaires using IBM SPSS Statistics 23.0. Binary logistic regression was used to analyze the association between headaches and health complaints.
Within this study, it was found that along with age and gender, participants who smoked had an overall higher percentage of headaches. The impact of drinking also had a reasonable correlation with headaches, though not as significantly as the act of smoking. This led authors to discuss the importance of smoking prevention programs. There are currently many smoking prevention hotlines that will help limit the amount of smoking one partakes in, such as the National Cancer Institute Quitline. Other ways are through the action of acupuncture, hypnosis, and smoking deterrents.
Limitations to this study are that it is subject to be deemed a bit biased as a result of data collected from students that recorded a subjective assessment of headaches. The prevalence of headaches could not be determined due to the formulation of the questions approaching headaches, meaning there was not a response for students who had never experienced a headache. This meant that the study had to be done in terms of high frequency and low frequency. An observational study would have been a better determinant for deciding what health concerns directly influence headaches. However, this study did provide an anonymous large sample size of data in an effort to eliminate other forms of bias, such as statistical bias.
The study significantly illustrates health concerns associated with headaches in youth. In providing ways to prevent these health concerns, such as avoiding smoking and promoting mental health awareness, the results will be the prevention of headaches. By doing this, we can improve the physical well-being of those within our society. Citizens will strive to be more cautionary in regards to their mental and physical health, which will improve stress and anxiety levels. It is vital for adolescents to become aware of their health and identify factors that impact their health. In doing so, they can extend their life expectancy and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
References:
Jurišić I., Simetin I., Dikanovic M., Cvitkovic A. 2018. Headaches in Adolescents – Frequency, Risk Factors and Other Health Complaints: a Cross-Sectional Study in Croatia. Acta Clinica Croatica. doi: 10.20471/acc.2018.57.04.01
Swain MS, Henschke N, Kamper SJ, Gobina I, Ottova-Jordan
V, Maher CG. An international survey of pain in adolescents.
BMC Public Health 2014;14:447,
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-14-447.
Milde-Busch A, von Kries R,Thomas S, Heinrich S, Straube A,
Radon K. The association between use of electronic media and
prevalence of headache in adolescents: results from population-
based cross-sectional study. BMC Neurology. 2010;10:12,
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2377-10-12.
Headache. Mayo Clinic. [accessed 2022 Feb 3]. https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/headache/basics/definition/sym-20050800?utm_source=Google&utm_medium=abstract&utm_content=Headache&utm_campaign=Knowledge-panel.
Advice On How Parents Can Spot Children’s Emerging Migraines. 2017 Jun. 7, 00:00:10 minutes. NBC News. Youtube. [accessed 2022 Feb 21] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsZqCc0Mf24.
Headaches Increase From Stress, COVID-19 Symptom. 2021 Feb. 21, 00:00:10 minutes. Hartford HealthCare. Youtube [accessed 2022 Feb. 21] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VB-8KiviAWw.
Teens who don’t get enough sleep suffer physical and mental health problems. 2014 Aug. 25, 00:00:11 minutes. CBS Mornings. Youtube [accessed 2022 Feb. 21] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3eYXJKlb_rw.
Inspirational Video About Life // My Motivation. 2019 Nov. 26, 00:00:38 minutes. Marla Fay. Youtube [accessed 2022 Feb. 22] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQsn4vhSP_E&t=17s.
College Students Discuss MENTAL HEALTH. 2019 May 8, 00:00:08 minutes. Vanier College Television. Youtube [accessed 2022 Feb. 22] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nndPRYhCe1w&t=61s.
MySimpleShow – Create your own explainer video in minutes. SimpleShow video maker. [accessed 2022 Feb 23]. https://videomaker.simpleshow.com/?ref=https://app.simpleshow.com/login-register/#cookie-consent.
Bullock G. 7 Reasons You Get Regular Headaches at Work [image]. 2018 Apr 27. TheraSpecs. [accessed 2022 Feb 22]. https://www.theraspecs.com/blog/7-reasons-regular-headaches-at-work/.
Cunha, John. “Are Headaches Normal in the First Trimester?”[image]. 26 May 2021.EMedicineHealth. [ Accessed 23 Feb. 2022] www.emedicinehealth.com/are_headaches_normal_in_the_first_trimester/article_em.htm.
Đau đầu ở trẻ, thận trọng với u tiểu não | LILY – Cộng đồng tâm sự & hỏi đáp sức khoẻ [image]. LILYAPPme. [accessed 2022 Feb 23]. https://lilycare.vn/health/article/dau-dau-o-tre-than-trong-voi-u-tieu-nao-5d36d2507ff79caaa3d0b444.html.
Migraine Risk Factors – WelcomeCure [image]. wwwwelcomecurecom. [accessed 2022 Feb 23]. https://www.welcomecure.com/diseases/migraine/risk-factors.
Regenstrief Institute. 2020 Oct. 20, 00:00:04 minutes. WebsEdgeMedicine. Youtube [accessed 2022 Feb. 22] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHdmJUQz6Dk&t=7s.
“Welcome to college” for middle school and high school students. 2014 Jul. 18, 00:00:05 minutes. Rice University. Youtube [accessed 2022 Feb 22] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6jw-KvIIMU&t=131s.
Survey animation. dribbblecom. [accessed 2022 Feb 23]. https://dribbble.com/shots/11234317-Survey-animation.
People crowd pie chart group graphic sampling statistics vector [image]. | CanStock. wwwcanstockphotocom. [accessed 2022 Feb 23]. https://www.canstockphoto.com/people-crowd-pie-chart-group-graphic-49464725.html.
Figure 2: Pie chart showing gender distribution. ResearchGate. [accessed 2022 Feb 23]. https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Pie-chart-showing-gender-distribution_fig1_283764958.
Performance Ratings [image]. wwwsketchbubblecom. [accessed 2022 Feb 23]. https://www.sketchbubble.com/en/presentation-performance-ratings.html.
Computer Systems Analyst Career Video. 2018 Mar. 5, 00:00:21 minutes. CareerOneStop. Youtube [accessed 2022 Feb 22] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0JdNufvn-o.
Ash Kickers Smoking Cessation Program – Breathe California Of The Bay Area. mywebsiteflipcausecom. [accessed 2022 Feb 23]. http://mywebsite.flipcause.com/preview/6dh1b8.1c5mkkk1gcgnc.1468ef9f869cbcee6f2be189406f98cd/446880735248635215.
Quit smoking | UK Behavior Health and Wellness. wwwukyedu. [accessed 2022 Feb 23]. https://www.uky.edu/bhwell/topics/quit-smoking.
Acosta K. 2021 Jul 21. Acupuncture Vs. Acupressure: What’s The Difference? Forbes Health. https://www.forbes.com/health/body/acupuncture-vs-acupressure [accessed 2022 Feb. 23].
Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy – Dr. Weil’s Wellness Therapies. 2006 Aug 11. DrWeilcom. [accessed 2022 Feb 23]. https://www.drweil.com/health-wellness/balanced-living/wellness-therapies/hypnosis-and-hypnotherapy/.
Amazon.com: NicoDerm CQ Step 1 Nicotine Clear Patch, 14 Count (Pack of 1) : Health & Household. wwwamazoncom. [accessed 2022 Feb 23]. https://www.amazon.com/NicoDerm-CQ-Nicotine-Patch-Smoking/dp/B00008IHL1.
Avery D. 2017 Jun 27. Why (Certain) Data is the Worst. Qlik Blog. https://www.qlik.com/blog/why-certain-data-is-the-worst.
GIPHY. Observation Study GIFs – Get the best GIF on GIPHY. GIPHY. [accessed 2022 Feb 23]. https://giphy.com/explore/observation-study.
Observational Research Designs Do Not Use Randomization. Statistician For Hire. [accessed 2022 Feb 23]. https://www.scalestatistics.com/observational-research-designs.html.
Featured Image: Migraine in children and adolescents – Treatment options. 2019 May 15. Narayana Health Care. [accessed 2022 Feb 23]. https://www.narayanahealth.org/blog/migraine-headache-in-children-and-adolescents/.