TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Migraines are a common neurological condition that affects many teenagers in Taiwan, with about one in 15 youths suffering from the condition, a Tainan doctor said.

A study by Taipei Veterans General Hospital Vice Superintendent Wang Shu-chun (王署君) found about 6.8% of youths aged 12 to 15 in Taiwan experience migraines. The condition can cause severe headaches along with nausea and vomiting, disrupting schoolwork, social life, and daily routines, CNA reported Thursday.

“Migraines are often seen as an adult problem, but many teens also deal with repeated attacks that can last for years,” said Tainan An Nan Hospital neurologist Tu I-hsien (杜宜憲), according to UDN. He said migraine pain can escalate quickly and make it hard for students to keep up with classes and everyday activities.

Tu said new drugs that block calcitonin gene-related peptide, which transmits pain signals in the brain, are expanding treatment options. These medications, taken as pills or injections, are widely used in adults but still lack large-scale trials in children and teenagers, per Yahoo News.

Calcitonin gene-related peptide is a substance in the body that helps send pain signals and can cause blood vessels in the brain to widen. When CGRP levels rise during a migraine, it can trigger strong headache pain, nausea, and sensitivity to light.

A clinical trial published in January by The New England Journal of Medicine found that a monthly CGRP antibody injection reduced headache days in patients aged six to 17 compared with a placebo. Tu said parents should work closely with doctors to develop treatment plans based on each child’s symptoms and past response to medication.