Indore: Changing lifestyle, obesity, hypertension and work related stress are leading to a surge in number of migraine cases among youngsters and even school going children in the city.
Irregular sleep and inappropriate diet are the common factors which are bringing out migraine attack in 11-25 age group. According to doctors, instances of migraine among them have increased in the last five years. Migraine is a neurological disease characterised by recurrent moderate to severe headaches, often in association with a number of autonomic nervous system symptoms.
Typically, the headache affects one half of the head, is pulsating in nature, and lasts from two to 72 hours. Associated symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light, sound, or smell. Neurologist Dr JS Kathpal said, "In recent times I have been witnessing a steady rise in the number of children in age group of 5 to 15 and above suffering from it.
About 10 per cent of all school going kids suffer from migraine, so we can say that every classroom may have one or two migraine patients." The commonest reason for such a trend is unlimited use of gadgets, which first leads to eye problem and blurring of vision followed by migraine, he added. "Stress, lack of sleep, inappropriate diet chart, light and loud sound, sunlight and travelling are the precipitating factors of headache, while change in weather and fast food products can be cause for headache."he added.
On the other hand, a study conducted by MGM Medical college students in Indore reveals that migraine cases in the city have increased rapidly and highly affected age group is 16 to 25 years.
The study, which was conducted on around 200 migraine patients in the city, discloses that migraine is most common among females. "I deal with around 20 to 25 school going children in a month. The prime reason behind it is burden of study and increasing use of mobile phone. Now exams are around the corner and rapid surge in migraine cases among children will be seen," said Dr Kathpal, adding it is important to monitor lifestyle of children and give them stress free environment. "In children, chocolate and milk products can precipitate headache. Migraine can make the patient disable for a period of time."
The medical college study reveals that 19 per cent patients had complained of headache after smoking and alcohol consumption while 22.5 per cent patients suffered from headache after using perfume.
According to experts, awareness about migraine is extremely poor in parents. Most of the parents are unaware about this problem and they consult an eye specialist for headache of their children.