Migraines In Adolescents – “It’s Not All In Your Head”

For Immediate Release
Greenwich, CT

Migraines In Adolescents – “It’s Not All In Your Head”

Last week Links Academy, a division of Greenwich Education Group, was pleased to welcome Dr. Lauren R. Natbony to the YWCA Greenwich for a presentation entitled Migraines In Adolescents: It’s Not All In Your Head. This free Public Health event was made possible thanks to support from the YWCA Greenwich, Greenwich Magazine/Moffly Media, the Greenwich PTA Council, and Children's Medical Group. The presentation focused on what parents and educators need to know about migraines in young adults.

Dr. Natbony affirmed that migraines “impact all domains of life” and that a migraine is not “just a headache.” She revealed that 20% of migraine sufferers had their first occurrence before the age of 5. Dr. Natbony said that she asks her patients to use a “headache diary” to record when a migraine is happening and to potentially help determine why it is happening.

During her talk, Dr. Natbony suggested that medication is not necessarily the only solution. In fact, she shared details of studies in which the utilization of an exercise plan in the treatment of migraines generated favorable outcomes that were comparable to the results achieved by the use medication alone. “Medication is a tool, not the cure,” she asserted. “Lifestyle modifications are key, and the earlier you intervene with modifications, the better.”

Dr. Natbony promotes a proactive approach to dealing with migraines. She emphasized that the “Early treatment of migraines in children and adolescents can prevent the development of chronic daily headaches and improve and—in some cases—eliminate headaches from progressing into adulthood. Start by improving lifestyle. Eat regular meals full of green leafy vegetables and lean proteins. Get a good night’s sleep and maintain a regular sleep schedule. Exercise at least 3–4 times a week for 30–40 minutes. Your brain will thank you!”

The presentation, which can be found on www.letstalkmigraines.org, provided information about how to recognize symptoms, causes, and contributing factors related to migraines. Dr. Natbony also offered insight into the latest research and treatment trends. Following the hour-long presentation, attendees had the opportunity to ask Dr. Natbony questions.

According to Desiree DelGrosso, Education Director at Links Academy, “We are seeing migraines more commonly in kids. Migraines negatively impact school performance and social-emotional well-being. The staff at Links Academy felt that it would be a benefit to the community to increase awareness about migraines in adolescents and to provide information about safe, effective options for migraine prevention. The event was so well received we are planning to bring it back to the community in Darien the fall.”

About Lauren R. Natbony, MD

Dr. Lauren Natbony is an Assistant Professor of Neurology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. She specializes in pediatric and adult headache medicine and interventional procedures for the treatment of headaches. Dr. Natbony received her undergraduate degree from Stanford University and her medical degree from the Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine at the University of Miami (FL). She completed an internship in Internal Medicine and a residency in Neurology at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, and a Fellowship in Headache Medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine. Dr. Natbony is trained in the administration of botulinum toxin injections, nerve blocks, and trigger point injections for migraine relief and has received advanced training in medical acupuncture at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Natbony is board certified in Neurology by the American Board of Neurology and Psychiatry, and in Headache Medicine by the United Council of Neurologic Subspecialties. She is a member of the American Academy of Neurology, the American Headache Society, the International Headache Society, and the Headache Cooperative of New England.

About Links Academy

Links Academy is a NEASC-accredited and NCAA-approved short- and long-term school for students in Grades 6–12. Links provides the educational support and academic continuity that students require to remain on-track, catch up academically, and accelerate their learning on campus or remotely. For more information, visit www.linksacademy.org.

About Greenwich Education Group

Greenwich Education Group, a US Small Business Administration Award winner, is a multidivisional educational organization that strives to support every facet of a child’s academic, social, and emotional development. Our NEASC-accredited day schools (Links Academy, The Pinnacle School, and The Spire School) offer individualized instruction to an array of learners. Our curricula and teaching methods are as diverse as our students.

Additionally, GEG offers a full slate of ancillary services, including tutoring, standardized test preparation, educational consulting, and college counseling. Sessions take place in our centers, in home, and online. Specialized services for differentiated learners of all ages are delivered at our award-winning Collaborative Center for Learning and Development. Our philosophy of individualized education targets each student’s needs by building on their strengths. Learn more about our programs at www.greenwichedgroup.com.

Photos attached

Migraines1
from left to right
Desiree DelGrosso (Education Director, Links Academy), Victoria C. Newman (Founder and Executive Director, Greenwich Education Group, Dr. Lauren Natbony (Assistant Professor of Neurology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai)

Migraines2
Dr. Lauren Natbony (Assistant Professor of Neurology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai) addresses parents and some students at the YWCA Greenwich

Migraines3
from left to right
Dr. Lauren Natbony (Assistant Professor of Neurology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai) and Mary Lee Kiernan ( President and CEO, YWCA Greenwich)

Sue Moretti Bodson
Director of Special Events
Greenwich Education Group