Abdominal migraine is one of the most common causes of abdominal pain in children and is becoming more frequently diagnosed in adults. Although the pain will come and go, it is severely debilitating during a migraine episode, is very distressing for children. Recurring abdominal pain can have a drastic effect on a child’s overall quality of life and school performance.
Abdominal pain in childhood accounts for 2-4% of office visits to the doctor and 50% of referrals to pediatric gastroenterologists. (1) Even though it is a well-recognized type of pediatric migraine with specific diagnostic criteria under the International Classification of Headache Disorders, it is often underdiagnosed by both pediatricians and pediatric gastroenterologists. (2)
The diagnosis of abdominal migraine is much more prevalent in Europe than in the United States because in the U.S. it is often misdiagnosed as U.S. doctors are still struggling to understand it. Many doctors are only able to make an accurate diagnosis years after the abdominal migraines when the child becomes a teen and then develops classic migraines. Parents should be extra cautious as children could be subjected to unnecessary surgery if the condition is misdiagnosed.
What is an abdominal migraine?
Abdominal migraines are diagnosed in children who meet these criteria:
- At least five attacks of abdominal pain that each last 1 to 72 hours
- Dull pain around the belly button, moderate to severe in intensity
- At least two of these symptoms: appetite loss, nausea, vomiting, pale skin
Other abdominal migraine symptoms may include, headache and sensitivity to light and sound.
Who gets abdominal migraines?
- Children with a family history of migraines are at higher risk
- Occurs slightly more often in girls than boys
- Children who experience motion sickness are more likely to get abdominal migraines
- Adults susceptible to migraine
Diagnosis of Abdominal Migraine
Abdominal migraines usually follow a pattern, same type of appearance, same time of day, and the same duration with the symptoms going away completely between migraines.
Doctors may use ultrasound or endoscopy to check for other potential causes of your child’s stomach pain and evaluate your child’s medical history to determine a pattern.
Preventing Migraines
Help your child prevent migraines by discovering and avoiding their triggers if possible. The triggers for abdominal migraines are similar for regular migraines:
- Chemicals such as nitrites that are found in processed foods such as deli or processed meats, lunch meat, packaged sandwich ham, turkey, and chicken
- Caffeine
- Chocolate
- Bright lights
- Foods that contain monosodium glutamate (MSG) including Chinese food, dressings, seasonings, condiments, and many buffet foods in restaurants
- Motion sickness
- Fatigue or exhaustion
- Flickering lights
- Stress, worrying, or being upset
- Swallowing a lot of air
- Lack of sleep
In many cases, taking proactive steps to prevent migraine attacks can lead to less frequent attacks and a decrease in intensity and duration.
Where to start if your child was diagnosed with abdominal or classic migraines.
Consider a Safe & Gentle Nutritional Option…
The MigreLief Nutritional Regimen for Pediatric Migraines
Recommended by pediatric neurologists and headache specialists for almost 2 decades, MigreLief is a great place to start.
ACTION STEP 1:
Choose one of two MigreLief “daily maintenance” formulas:
Original MigreLief (age 12+)
Children’s MigreLief (age 2-11)
The caplets may be crushed or capsules opened and mixed with food such as applesauce, yogurt etc. for children or teens that have difficulty swallowing pills.
ACTION STEP 2:
Keep MigreLief-NOW “as-needed” formula on hand at all times and take whenever needed for on-the-spot help.
The ‘Dream Team’ for Migraine Sufferers
Daily and As Needed formulas work well together. While you are waiting for the daily formula to kick in, you can take MigreLief-NOW as-needed. All MigreLief formulas are drug-free, safe, gentle, and very effective.
Where to Buy?
If purchased at MigreLief.com or by calling 1-800-758-8746 you can try risk-free as there is a 90 Money Back Guarantee if you try MigreLief or Children’s MigreLief for 3 allows sufficient time for MigreLief to build blood levels for maximum effectiveness (each bottle is a one month supply). If you are not satisfied for any reason, Akeso Health Sciences will refund your purchase price.
You can also buy at the Vitamin Shoppe, Meijer stores, or at independent pharmacies nationwide. If your local pharmacy doesn’t stock it, you can ask them to order it and they can usually have MigreLief within 24 hours.
Questions? Email: HealthAdvisor@MigreLief.com or call 1-800-758-8746
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