What is abdominal migraine ?
An abdominal migraine is a type of migraine that primarily affects the stomach and abdomen rather than the head. It’s most common in children, though it can occur in adults too. Instead of the classic headache associated with migraines, people with abdominal migraines experience recurring episodes of moderate to severe belly pain, often centered around the navel or midline of the abdomen. The pain can last anywhere from a few hours to a couple of days—typically between 2 to 72 hours if untreated.
symptoms
Symptoms usually include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and sometimes a pale appearance. Unlike typical migraines, there’s rarely a headache involved, though some might have a mild one. It’s thought to be linked to the same neurological mechanisms as head migraines, involving changes in blood flow, nerve signaling, and chemical activity in the brain and gut. Stress, anxiety, certain foods (like chocolate, caffeine, or processed stuff), or irregular sleep can trigger it.
diagnosis
Diagnosis is based on a pattern of symptoms—recurrent belly pain with no clear gut issue like an infection or ulcer—especially if there’s a family history of migraines.
treatment
Treatment often mirrors migraine management: avoiding triggers, managing stress, and sometimes meds like anti-nausea drugs or pain relievers. In kids, it might fade with age, but some grow into classic migraines later.