Durban - If your child is coming home from school with headaches every day, it’s time to make a few changes, says South African Headache Society chairman Dr Elliot Shevel.
According to the World Health Organisation, 80 percent of headaches are caused by muscle tension, which is triggered by stress.
For children, stress at school can be a result of unmanaged homework, the difficulty of making new friends or just the thought of having exams around the corner.
South African Headache Society chairman Dr Elliot Shevel says: “Starting off the year right can help minimise a child’s stress levels and means fewer headaches for both of you.”
It is natural for a child to be anxious about a new school or to feel this way at the start of the week.
Point out the positive aspects of school, that learning can be fun and that it’s a chance to make friends.
Ensure your child is carrying a backpack with wide, padded shoulder straps and a padded back. Pack lightly and organise the backpack using all its compartments.
Shevel advises packing heavier items closest to the centre of the back.
“The backpack should not weigh more than 10 to 20 percent of your child’s body weight. Always use both shoulder straps as slinging a backpack over one shoulder can strain muscles and lead to muscle tension headache.”
You may also consider a bag on wheels for children who need to tote a heavy load.
Pack nutritional lunch boxes to avoid diet-related headaches.
Nutritious home-packed lunches start in the supermarket: use the nutritional facts label as a guide in choosing healthy foods.
Compare nutrient levels for similar foods. Select those lower in fat, sodium and sugar.
Dietary headaches are a common affliction. These are triggered by foods that assist with energy, such as chocolate.
Instead of giving your child a chocolate as a sweet treat, pack fruit. Fruit makes a sweet and nutritious contribution to lunch. It is rich in vitamins A and C.
Shevel says parents should note which foods trigger headaches in their child, keeping a diary and avoiding these foods.
“Remember to remind your child to eat their lunch as skipping meals is a sure-fire trigger for headaches. Teach them to eat in moderation and enjoy their meals.
“Also remember to pack a fruit juice. Dehydration is a common trigger, and adequate intake of fluid throughout the day will prevent headaches. Select 100 percent fruit juice, not just soda drinks, which mostly contain caffeine and sugar and are low in nutrients.
“Caffeine has been known to trigger headaches in children and is highly addictive.”
Parents should encourage their children to take part in physical activities at school as these were not only fun, but an important part of playing and learning. They were also vital for healthy development.
Persuading those children who don’t enjoy organised sport to take up some other form of everyday physical activity will help them stay healthy.
Shevel adds: “Teach your children the right stretching exercises to stretch the muscles of the head, face, neck and jaw. Stretching should be gentle and soothing, not agonisingly painful.”
If your child’s headache persists, seek medical attention.
It is imperative that she or he undergo a multidisciplinary investigation to identify the factors behind the recurring headache.
A number of treatment options are available.
It is possible to get to the bottom of the problem and resolve the pain permanently so your child can enjoy the quality of life they deserve.
The Mercury