Impact of headaches on academic life
The majority of participants (74.3 %) continued attending lectures
while experiencing a headache. A large portion of the participants
stated that headaches affected studying for tests and/or examinations
(92.7 %). Majority reported that experiencing a headache limited their
concentration at lectures (97.2 %; p < 0.001) and felt
too tired to continue working (98.2 %; p < 0.001).
Almost more than half of the participants (53.2 %) indicated that the
headache was more intense than usual when studying for tests and
exams (p < 0.001). Almost more than a third of
participants that experienced a headache when studying, stopped studying
due to the headache (33.9 %), and some (8.3 %) continued without the
use of medication. However, a significant proportion (57.8 %) continued
with the use of medication (p < 0.001).
Sleeping patterns were altered during tests and/or examination periods
(90.8 %; p < 0.001). More than a third of the
participants studied for long periods without taking regular breaks
(42.2 %). A large number of participants consumed beverages such as
caffeinated energy drinks, chocolate or coffee (66.1 %) to help sustain
their concentration for a longer period of time. Consumption of these
drinks during a headache made the study session less effective
(p < 0.001). Lighting in the study area was adequate
and did not affect studying (75.2 %; p < 0.001).