Primary abdominal migraine is a distinct form of migraine that is more common in children, and it is seen in adults as well. Around 1-4% of school-aged children suffer from this migraine. Unlike normal topic migraines, which involve extreme and prolonged headaches, abdominal migraine is marked by episodes of severe stomach ache.
Such episodes can interfere with daily functioning and are usually accompanied by considerable distress and anxiety. An Abdominal migraine is a type of migraine that results in abdominal rather than head pain.
Abdominal migraine is a specialized type of migraine. Still, those who experience it would know that it is a functional gastrointestinal disorder, characterized by imagining that they have pain in the abdominal region, most often, in the midsection of it.
This condition is categorized under childhood periodic syndromes and is often a precursor of migraine in the senior years. Ten of the 13 patients within one of Roberts and deShazo’s limited research on the condition satisfied certain AM criteria, but 90% of the subjects exhibited a longstanding family record of migraines.
However, there hasn’t been a clear identification as to what exactly gives birth to the condition’s appearance. It is under severe assumption that genetic, hormonal, and environmental factors are the causative agent and the sole reason for its occurrence. Research has shown that abdominal migraines are not uncommon in children with a family history of migraines.
Abdominal Migraine In Adult Individuals
In adults, abdominal migraine is a rare occurrence accounting for 2% of all adult migraines. Leaning over a gender-specific occurrence, the likelihood of an abdominal migraine is higher in females than in males. Based on the 1995 initial prevalence research conducted by Abu-Arafeh, the female-to-male ratio sums up to be 1.6:1.
Diagnostic Criteria for Abdominal Migraine
The main characteristic of the abdominal migraine is the presence of pain in the abdominal region. Other symptoms may include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Pallor (paleness)
These symptoms are usually experienced in one episode that may range from 2 to 72 hours. In between episodes, the affected persons are often completely well and do not present with any symptoms.
What Are The Triggers ?
Essentially, as in other kinds of migraines, some factors can elicit abdominal migraine episodes. Common triggers include:
- Stress or anxiety
- Specific types of foods include chocolate, processed meat, and even beer.
- Irregular sleep patterns
- Dehydration
- Hormonal changes especially when one is in the adolescent stage.
- Diagnosis
Diagnosis And Prevention
Usually, the diagnosis of these migraines is often a frustrating and hefty task mainly because their symptoms resemble those of a lot of other digestive and generalized disorders.
In practice, healthcare professionals employ a focus on the medical history of the patient, clinical examination, and the process of elimination. The ICHD lists major criteria for diagnosing abdominal migraines such as the frequency and characteristics of the attacks.
Keeping aside all factors such as kid specific or higher prevalence in females, commonality lies in the fact that certain modifications to the gut-brain axis, vascular dysregulation, disturbances to the central nervous system, abnormalities in stomach activity, and passed down variables in both childhood and adulthood are all part of the mechanism of abdominal migraine.
Treatment Options
Treatment for abdominal migraines often involves both lifestyle adjustments and medications. Let’s identify these treatment options in depth so that you can proceed accordingly:
1. Abdominal Migraine Natural Treatment:
Getting rid of stress, in addition to having a good amount of sleep is a paramount element that must not be ignored at any cost. Likewise, handling stress by practicing, or seeking therapy while prioritizing diet simultaneously is a proven strategy for shielding your health. As we speak for diet management, removing foods that are known to trigger the disorder is the key element here.
2. Medications:
Triptans, a drug to eliminate migraines may be prescribed as a stomach migraine treatment approach. In a similar fashion, Antiemetics for the control of nausea and vomiting can be taken. However, in severe cases, preventional medicines such as some beta-blockers or antidepressants might turn out highly effective.
It is also recommended to stay in a dark room or dark places during an episode of stomach migraine!
Outcome of Stomach Migraine With Age
The outlook on children who suffer from abdominal migraines is usually good. Most kids have outgrown the condition by adolescence but may get migraines later in life. This adds up to a paradigm of high relapse rates which, if tackled in the early stages and managed properly, give a substantially better quality of life.
When to See a Doctor ?
When the ache is sharp or becomes chronic, continuous, severe, or combined with weight loss, high temperature, and dark, or tarry-colored stool, it is time to go to the doctor. A healthcare provider is the best person who can tell the difference between abdominal migraines and other severe conditions.
While not common, abdominal migraine is a disruptive disorder that has a considerable effect on a person’s well-being. Proper diagnosis and management make the affected individuals experience minimal or no difficulties and or get back to normal.
