MT. ROYAL, N.J. -- Migraine headaches are more common in school-age children than many believe.

A recent survey by the American Council for Headache Education revealed that school nurses reported that they see more than 10 students a month for headaches, many of which may be migraines.

In fact, 4-5 percent of children suffer from migraine with many experiencing their first before the age of seven. That number increases dramatically after puberty, with as many as 11 percent suffering from migraines by late adolescence.

And yet, it's not uncommon for both teachers and parents to disbelieve children when they say they have a headache.

Often the pain is viewed as an excuse not to attend school or to leave class.

Brenda Jowers, a school nurse at University School of Nashville in Tennessee, said she sees eight students daily complaining of headache.

Jowers confirmed that while some students may use a headache as an excuse to get out of class, most don't.

"I check to see if their eyes hurt, if they see flashes of light, or feel nauseated," she said. "If students report having these migraine symptoms, I make sure that their parents know."

Teachers at the school watch for the signs of migraine also.

While the students are highly competitive and often get headaches as a result of stress, a significant percentage are under a doctor's care for migraine.

To help teachers, nurses, and parents distinguish between children who actually have headaches and those who don't, ACHE has prepared information on how to recognize headache in students.

It's posted on the ACHE Web site.

High school senior Jack Hicks, who has had migraine headaches since the sixth grade, said he hopes that people will pay attention to students with migraines.

"People need to understand there's a huge difference in the amount of pain with a migraine," he said. "It's incapacitating. Often you really can't function in school."

Health experts point out ways to recognize migraines:

• Awakening from sleep due to a headache
• Worsening or more frequent headaches
• Early morning vomiting without nausea
• Fever or a stiff neck

ACHE's Web site offers advice on medications that might be appropriate to treat migraine as well as severe tension-type headaches.

It also offers tips to adults so they can ensure that children are getting enough sleep, drinking plenty of fluids, and aren't suffering from too much stress.

More Info: American Headache Society