Managing Migraine Headaches

Migraine Symptoms, Causes & Treatments

Migraine Types & Their Remedies

Alternative Migraine Cures

Migraines in Children

more migraine information

The Truth About Abdominal Migraines

Abdominal migraine is a form of migraine that is commonly found in 5 to 9 year old children, but can occur in adults as well. A migraine trigger would invoke abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting.

It was officially recognized as a form of migraine by the International Headache Society when it was revealed that children who experienced this form of migraine had family members who are experiencing migraines as well, and will eventually grow into adults with migraines.

Although there is no specific test to confirm it, the diagnosis of abdominal migraine usually comes in when the child has already had 5 attacks of pain that consists of the following: abdominal pain lasting for a maximum of72 hours, nausea, paleness/flushing or vomiting. This may also include sensitivity to light and sound, although cases are extremely rare.

Also, this diagnosis would be reached if the doctor or medical provider has already ruled out possible gastrointestinal or renal diseases. The physician would also review family history before giving out a specific diagnosis or treatment.

Sometimes, the pain is so severe that it interferes with the child’s daily life.
Treatment for abdominal migraines is the same as if you are treating a regular migraine. To help keep your child from having them, make sure to follow some simple rules:

• Make sure that the child adheres to a regular sleeping schedule. Deviating from a set sleep time may be a possible factor for stress, and may make the child more susceptible to migraine attacks.

• Eat regularly – do not skip a meal.

• Exercise regularly – or make sure that the child continues with his daily physical activities so as to keep the body alert. (A word of caution though: Strenuous activity may become too much for the child, so remember to keep physical activities in moderation.

• Food can trigger an attack anytime, without warning. Certain foods to avoid for migraine prevention may be the following: chocolate, processed meats, caffeine, cheese, monosodium glutamate (or too much MSG or food preservatives), nuts or pickles. Too salty and too sugary foods must be kept at a minimum and intake should be supervised as these are the main food triggers for a migraine attack.

• Stress is also a factor if the child tends to think a lot about stuff. Big changes such as going to a new school, leaving a familiar community for an old one, the loss of a loved one, etc. – these are all factors that may affect a child’s emotional status and may manifest through physical symptoms such as an abdominal migraine.

If the normal, non-medical treatment doesn’t work (lying down and taking a rest in a cool, dark room, a cool cloth over the forehead and eyes, etc.), the safest medication may be the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) acetaminophen. Before giving a dose though, it is always wise to consult a doctor or a pediatrician, especially if you are dealing with a child.

And sometimes (especially if the pain is due to stress), all a child needs would be a gentle touch from a parent, reassurance that you will not leave him. For a child, it may be scary, so the best medicine will always come from the comfort of a parent’s love. 

Want to Receive News and Information, As Well As Tips on How to Achieve Relief from Migraine? Sign up to receive our mini course on Migraine management. Our FREE Email Mini Course will hep you identify: - How to treat your Migraine headaches - What kind of Migraine you have - What triggers your Migraine attack - And why! - Tips on how you can avoid your triggers and prevent an attack. - Advice on how to identify migraine in children and, as a parent, what you can do about it. - Ways on how you can deal with a migraine attack and stop it from becoming even worse. - Natural and alternative remedies you can use to keep yourself healthy and lower your vulnerability to suffer from migraine. - plus so much MORE!!! Sign Up Now! Name: Email: Your privacy is protected. We do not send spam.

Fight Migraine Headaches
Free Email Mini Course

- Type of Migraines
- Treatment Options
- Alternative Migraine Cures
- Migraine in Adults
- Migraine in Children

Sign up today!