A recent study from Norway examined the health habits of junior high and high school students diagnosed with migraine and tension-type headache. Students who were overweight, smokers or exercised infrequently had a higher rate of headache. This study suggests a strong connection between teenagers and lifestyle factors.
While the study does not conclusively say that these lifestyle factors cause headache, it does suggest that imploring teens to make better lifestyle changes can help. Getting more sleep, becoming more physically active, and eating well can help to decrease the frequency and severity of the headache. As with many chronic pain conditions, headache can cause a person to feel loss of control over the pain. By making positive lifestyle changes, the teen may begin to feel proactive rather than reactive regarding his or her overall health. Lessons hopefully carried into adulthood…..Headache The Journal of Head and Face Pain February 2012