An abdominal migraine is pain within the abdomen with the absence of a headache to go with it. Also known as periodic syndrome, they occur mostly in young kids (usually girls) between the ages of five and nine, although they can rarely occur in adults. There does seem to be a particular connection between abdominal migraines and ordinary migraines, in that the stomach headaches usually affect children in families with a history of migraine headaches.
Unfortunately, most children who suffer from stomach migraines usually go on to experience migraines as adults, starting as early as puberty. Doctors cannot depend on the symptoms alone to diagnose stomach migraine headaches. The most frequent symptoms of abdominal headaches are actually similar to the symptoms of a migraine, but with no headache. These symptoms are pain in the abdomen, that is moderate to severe in intensity and lasting anywhere from 1 to 72 hours, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, sensitivity to light and sound, dizziness and dark circles under the eyes. Diagnosing abdominal migraines based on these symptoms is not easy for doctors to do.
Just like a normal migraine, there is no scientific test that can unequivocally prove what is happening. The child concerned might have all of these symptoms mentioned above or only one or two. The signs of stomach migraines are sometimes misdiagnosed as the flu, however, the symptoms can come back 2 or 3 times within the same month.
That is why finding the correct diagnosis is tough and the key diagnostic tool is usually the child’s family history. Doctors will often take blood and urine samples and perform tests to eliminate any other more severe causes of the anguish. It’s becoming a lot more apparent to doctors that migraines of any sort may cause some permanent damage, so determining that the problem is indeed an abdominal migraine and finding a treatment quickly is crucial. There is at present no official known cause.
Abdominal migraines, as with migraines, can be averted by steering clear of particular foods that can trigger a flare up. While there is no science to substantiate this some people believe caffeinated drinks, cheese and chocolate can be triggers. Stress is also regarded as a possible reason for abdominal migraines. Treatment is usually with a variety of migraine headache medications, so there is really no definitive treatment for the kids. As a result they are treated exactly the same as a migraine of the head is treated.
Being mindful of the age the child, painkillers are employed in addition to sedatives and anti-nausea drugs. Inderol is also sometimes prescribed to help remedy migraines in youngsters. Another drug called Propranolol is a preventative beta-blocker often used. Midrin, which is a prescription drug for adult migraines that has been used for years, can be prescribed in milder doses. Midrin contains an ingredient that can help boost serotonin levels; it is thought that during migraines, serotonin levels in the brain drop. The most important treatment, regardless of services or products, is to get a great deal of rest and try sleeping dark, quiet room.