What is an abdominal migraine? Is it a tummy ache in your head, or vice-versa (a migraine in your tummy)?
Although rare in adults, an abdominal migraine can be a common condition in young children and teenagers.
Board-certified pediatric neurologist and migraine expert, Dr. Lindsay Elton, shared what she knows about this very unique type of migraine for two different articles recently in The Checkup and Discover.
“It’s fairly common and pretty underdiagnosed,” says Dr. Elton. “Families will come in and say they thought their kid was getting a lot of stomach bugs, but it was happening too regularly for that to make sense.”
So…what exactly is an abdominal migraine?
It literally means that someone feels the symptoms of a regular migraine but in their abdomen. The pain does not originate there in the stomach however, it is still a brain/neurological-based condition.
Dr. Elton says that once the migraine sets in, pain receptors are triggered in the abdomen instead of the head.
One theory as to why abdominal migraines are more common in kids is that they have still developing nervous and gastrointestinal systems which may be more vulnerable to stress and migraine triggers.
In addition to the common symptoms of a typical migraine, symptoms that might occur with an abdominal migraine include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Pallor
- Fatigue
Abdominal migraines are also most commonly a pediatric issue, with the first episode often occurring between ages 3 and 10 years old.
What triggers an abdominal migraine?
Much like a regular migraine, stress, anxiety, lack of sleep, or dehydration could lead to an abdominal migraine.
Genetics could also play a role, explains Dr. Elton, “there is a significant hereditary component in migraines.”
“We often find a positive family history of migraine in other family members, [particularly] in a child’s siblings.”
Diagnosing these can, unfortunately, be tricky, she says, as the symptoms often mirror other conditions such as Crohn’s disease, stomach ulcers, renal conditions, and even epilepsy.
As there is no definitive test for an abdominal migraine, the best way to diagnose it is through eliminating other more serious conditions.
If you suspect your child is experiencing this type of migraine, Dr. Elton suggests seeing your pediatrician first who will then likely refer you to a pediatric neurologist.
How are abdominal migraines treated?
Many children often outgrow this form of migraine, and then go on to just experience traditional head-based migraines. If treatment is needed, simple therapies are typically recommended first to help with the pain:
- Managing stress and anxiety
- Eating a nutritious diet
- Exercising regularly
- Staying hydrated
- Getting enough restorative sleep
Dr. Elton says that for extremely severe and frequent episodes of abdominal migraines, there are some medications suitable for children if taken properly.
Child Neurology Consultants of Austin has experience treating a wide range of neurological conditions, including headaches and migraines, in children and teenagers from 0 to 21 years old.
To make an appointment with one of our board-certified pediatric neurologists, please contact us here.
