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G07 - February 2006 - Headaches and Sleep Problems in Kids
Intro: If you have a school-age or teenage child, you know how tough it can be to make sure they get enough sleep. Homework, sports, music lessons and other activities sometimes infringe on sleep time. And a new study from Mayo Clinic shows that kids who get headaches lose even more sleep than those who don't. That's because headaches and sleep problems tend to go hand in hand. More from Mayo Clinic.
| Video | Audio |
| Total running time 1:31 | PLAYING GUITAR IS A TYPE OF THERAPY FOR 17-YEAR-OLD KATELYN WILSON. (SOUND) |
| Katelyn Wilson | "YOU CAN EXPRESSS YOURSELF." |
| BUT HER MUSIC STOPPED WHEN KATELYN WAS PLAGUED BY CHRONIC DAILY HEADACHES. | |
Katelyn Wilson |
"I WOULD NEVER PLAY MY GUITAR BECAUSE IT HURT." |
| KATELYN'S CONSTANT HEADACHES MADE IT HARD TO CONCENTRATE ON SCHOOLWORK. THE HEADACHES ALSO KEPT HER FROM GETTING A DECENT NIGHT'S SLEEP. | |
| Katelyn Wilson | "I'D EITHER WAKE UP WITH A HEADACHE OR GO TO BED WITH A HEADACHE. IT WAS AWFUL." |
Lenora Lehwald, M.D. |
"CHILDREN WHO HAVE CHRONIC DAILY HEADACHES HAVE A 67 PERCENT CHANCE OF ALSO HAVING A SLEEP DISTURBANCE." |
Standup |
AND DR. LENORA LEHWALD SAYS IT'S A 20 PERCENT CHANCE FOR KIDS WITH HEADACHES THAT COME AND GO. NOW, IT SURE SEEMS THAT, IN KATELYN'S CASE, THE HEADACHES CAUSE HER SLEEP PROBLEMS. MAYBE SO, BUT IT'S SORT OF LIKE THE CHICKEN AND THE EGG THING. HEADACHES MAY CAUSE DIFFICULTY SLEEPING, BUT LACK OF SLEEP MAKES THE HEADACHES WORSE. |
Lenora Lehwald, M.D. |
"UNTIL WE ADDRESS THE SLEEP DISORDER, WE'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE VERY MUCH LUCK IN TRYING TO IMPROVE THE HEADACHE DISORDER." |
Graphics: Good Sleep Hygiene
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SO DR. LEHWALD RECOMMENDS GOOD SLEEP HYGIENE WHICH INCLUDES USING THE BEDROOM FOR SLEEP ONLY (NOT TV OR VIDEO GAMES), HAVING A BEDTIME ROUTINE, AND HAVING A CONSISTENT BED AND WAKE-UP TIME EACH DAY. SHE ALSO HELPED KATELYN BREAK THE HEADACHE CYCLE WITH PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS THAT WORK SLOWLY OVER TIME. NOW, KATELYN'S BETTER. RESTED WITH FEWER HEADACHES. |
| Katelyn Wilson | "I HAVEN'T HAD A BAD HEADACHE IN A REALLY LONG TIME." |
| AND MUSIC IS BACK IN HER LIFE. | |
| FOR MEDICAL EDGE, I'M VIVIEN WILLIAMS. | |
Tag: Katelyn still gets headaches. But instead of having one every day, she gets occasional headaches she calls 'whoppers.' Dr. Lehwald says if your child gets headaches, you can avoid having them turn into chronic daily headaches by making sure he or she gets enough sleep. She also says it's important not to take over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen or ibuprofen every day. Daily doses can make headaches worse. Talk to your doctor to find the medication that works best for your child. For more information log on to our Web site at ...
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