ADHD linked to headaches

It is the start of the school year and many children are refreshed after the summer holidays. Unfortunately, some are frustrated by learning difficulties or Attention Deficient Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

A study published in the medical journal Pediatric Nursing found that learning disabilities and ADHD are more common in children and adolescents referred for neurological assessment due to primary headaches, than is described in the general paediatric population.

Dr. Elliot Shevel, a South African migraine surgery pioneer and the medical director of The Headache Clinic, said the research shows poor-to-average school academic performance was more prevalent among children with headaches. “We should look deeper at poor performance. It might be more complicated than parents think,” he said.

A retrospective review of medical records of children and adolescents who presented with headaches to outpatient paediatric neurology clinics during a one-year period was done. Demographics, headache type, ADHD, learning disabilities and academic achievements were assessed.

A total of 243 patients met the inclusion criteria and were assessed. The results were as follows: 135 (55.6 percent) females and 108 (44.4 percent) males.

Forty-four percent were diagnosed with migraine (35.8 percent of the males and 64.2 percent of the females), 47.7 percent were diagnosed with tension type headache (50.4 percent of the males and 49.6 percent of the females). Among patients presenting with headache for the first time, 24 percent were formerly diagnosed with learning disabilities and 28 percent were diagnosed with ADHD.

It is crucial that if headaches persist, you should get to the root of the problem.

The longer the headache persists, the more damage will be done to the underlying structures. “A multi-disciplinary assessment will need to be done,” Shevel advised.

Details: The Headache Clinic, Kayleen Naidoo 011 484 0933