Experiencing a “migraine in stomach” can usually cause a whirlwind of confusion, as we typically associate migraines with headaches, not abdominal pain. However, this condition, commonly known as an abdominal migraine, is a very real and often misunderstood ailment.
Abdominal migraines primarily affect children but are also present in a small percentage of adults. These stomach migraines essentially consist of recurring episodes of abdominal discomfort or pain, lasting anywhere between 2 and 72 hours. Common symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, or losing your appetite — imagine a migraine but in your stomach.
What’s interesting to note is that this migraine of the stomach often precedes the typical migraine headaches that one would traditionally be familiar with, particularly in children. Abdominal migraine patients can usually progress to have migraine headaches as they grow into adolescence or adulthood. So, it’s important to recognise and manage these stomach migraines early on.
As of now, the cause of abdominal migraine is uncertain but it’s possibly related to changes in the levels of two substances naturally produced by the body — serotonin and histamine. It’s crucial to understand that the stomach migraine isn’t just ‘a stomachache’. Migraines in the stomach can significantly disrupt daily life and often require treatment from a healthcare professional.
Migraine in Stomach Symptoms
Some of the symptoms of abdominal migraine include the following:
- Recurrent episodes of midline abdominal pain
- Severity of the pain can be moderate to severe
- The pain can last anywhere from 2 to 72 hours
- Accompanied by other autonomic symptoms (e.g., nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite)
- Episodes have a distinct beginning and end
- Pain-free periods in between the episodes
- Episodes can disrupt regular activities due to the severity of the pain
- Looking pale around the time of the pain episodes
Diagnosing Migraine in Stomach
Diagnosing migraines in the stomach or intestines can be a complex process due to its overlap with other conditions. Here’s a summary of the diagnostic criteria commonly followed:
- The individual must have a history of at least five episodes of abdominal pain, fulfilling criteria 2–5 below.
- Abdominal pain should have at least two of the following characteristics: it should be mid-line or poorly localised, moderate to severe intensity, or a dull or ‘just sore’ quality.
- Each episode lasts between 2 to 72 hours when untreated or unsuccessfully treated.
- The abdominal pain is associated with at least two of the following: anorexia (complete loss of appetite), nausea, vomiting, pallor (unhealthy pale appearance).
- The abdominal pain must not be attributed to any other disorder.
Remember, a healthcare provider must rule out other possible conditions to arrive at an abdominal migraine diagnosis since there is currently no specific test for this. It’s crucial to consult with a healthcare professional if abdominal migraine is suspected.
What Other Things Could a Migraine in Stomach Be?
Getting diagnosed with abdominal migraine isn’t necessarily straightforward, as its symptoms often overlap with several other conditions. Thus, your doctor will usually consider various differential diagnoses before confirming abdominal migraines. This means they’ll rule out other disorders that might cause similar symptoms. These could include, but are not limited to:
- Gastrointestinal disorders, like irritable bowel syndrome or stomach ulcers.
- Kidney stones.
- Conditions in women such as ovarian torsion or endometriosis.
- Other neurological conditions, like cyclic vomiting syndrome.
Migraine in Stomach Treatment
Treating migraines in the stomach might seem daunting at first, but several effective strategies can help manage this condition.
- Medications: Specific medications can help both in dealing with an ongoing attack and in preventing future ones. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (like ibuprofen) often help to reduce the intensity of an attack, while triptans, a class of drugs specifically used to treat migraines, can also be effective. Preventive options might include certain types of antidepressant medication like amitriptyline, antihistamines, or even antiepileptic drugs.
- Lifestyle Changes: Monitoring and adjusting your daily routine can play a significant role in managing abdominal migraines. Regular exercise, a consistent sleep pattern, and healthy diet can all help in reducing the frequency and severity of attacks.
- Stress Management: Stress is a well-known migraine trigger. Approaches like cognitive behavioural therapy, relaxation techniques, and mindfulness can help in managing stress levels.
- Dietary Adjustments: Some individuals find specific foods can trigger their migraines. Keeping a food diary can help identify these triggers and make appropriate dietary changes.
Treatment strategies will vary from person to person, as treatments vary in how well they work. There is no one size fits all, and multiple treatment strategies may be needed.
My Child Suffers With Migraine in Stomach: Will They Develop Migraines?
Abdominal migraines can be a precursor to more typical migraines that are characterised predominately by severe headache. The relationship is not well understood, and just because your child suffers with abdominal migraine does not necessarily mean that they will go on to develop more typical migraines.
Children who experience abdominal migraines in their younger years are more likely to develop the more traditional form of migraines as they transition into adolescence and adulthood. The hallmark characteristics of migraines, such as sensitivity to light/sound and nausea, often follow into these migraines from an individual’s earlier experiences of abdominal migraines. Recognising and managing these abdominal migraines early may, therefore, help with better management and potential prevention of migraine headaches in the future. Understanding the progression can also help in predicting and treating these conditions effectively.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the experience of a migraine in stomach region, or abdominal migraine, is a lesser-known but equally impactful form of migraine primarily affecting children, but also seen in a minority of adults. Characterised by recurrent episodes of abdominal discomfort or pain, this condition can significantly disrupt daily activities, often necessitating medical intervention.
Abdominal migraines often precede the more conventional headaches that we associate migraines with, displaying a noteworthy progression from childhood to adulthood. Diagnosis can be complex, needing a careful exclusion of several other conditions that mimic similar symptoms.
However, once diagnosed, various treatments, including medications, dietary adjustments, stress management strategies, and lifestyle changes, can help effectively manage these stomach migraines. So, if you or your loved ones are suffering from persistent or recurrent abdominal discomfort, it could be a migraine in the stomach. Timely identification and management can turn the tide against this discomfort, paving the way towards improved well-being. For more information or to access support, you can visit the migraine trust’s website here: Abdominal migraine – The Migraine Trust
