Understanding Abdominal Migraine
Abdominal migraine is not a headache migraine as it is commonly known. As the name suggests, abdominal migraine is a pain condition that occurs in the abdominal area. However, this disorder often occurs in response to the same triggers as headache migraines. When it recurs, this condition can cause severe pain accompanied by symptoms such as nausea, abdominal cramps, and vomiting.
Abdominal migraine is a leading cause of chronic, recurring abdominal pain, particularly in children aged five to nine. However, this condition can also affect adults. It affects girls more often than boys.
Abdominal migraine is categorized as an episodic syndrome that is likely related to migraine and has a hereditary factor. Children who frequently experience this disorder have an increased risk of developing migraines as adults. If your child exhibits recurrent abdominal migraine symptoms, it is highly recommended to consult a doctor immediately.
Causes of Abdominal Migraine
To date, the exact cause of abdominal migraines remains unknown. Some studies suggest a possible link between this disorder and chemicals in the body, such as histamine and serotonin. Furthermore, emotional conditions such as anxiety or stress are also believed to increase the risk of this disorder, given the close connection between the gut and the brain.
Certain foods are also known to trigger abdominal migraines in some people. These include chocolate, foods containing monosodium glutamate (MSG), citrus fruits, caffeine, cheese, carbonated drinks, foods with artificial colors or flavors, and processed meats containing nitrites.
Other triggers include exposure to bright light, poor sleep quality, long travel, prolonged fasting, and stress at school or at home. Furthermore, swallowing a lot of air can cause bloating and abdominal pain due to difficulty eating.
Abdominal Migraine Risk Factors
Certain situations can be risk factors for abdominal migraine attacks, with triggers varying from person to person. However, in general, some commonly identified risk factors include:
· Stress, whether caused by pressure in the school environment or problems in family life.
· Poor sleep quality or irregular sleep patterns.
· Fasting for too long.
· Lack of fluids or dehydration.
· Long journey or motion sickness.
· Excessive physical activity, such as intensive exercise.
· Consume foods high in amines, such as citrus fruits, chocolate, cheese, salami, and ham.
· Foods with added ingredients such as flavorings, artificial colorings, or monosodium glutamate (MSG).
· Exposure to flashing room lights due to damage.
· Excessive caffeine intake, namely more than 200 milligrams per day.
Abdominal Migraine Symptoms
Abdominal migraines often appear suddenly and are highly severe without any prior warning signs. This condition is generally characterized by pain in the central area of the abdomen or around the navel, commonly referred to as midline abdominal pain.
This condition is characterized by recurrent episodes of moderate to severe abdominal pain, typically lasting between 1 and 72 hours. Some common symptoms experienced by sufferers include:
· Pain in the middle of the abdomen or around the navel.
· Pain intensity can range from moderate to very severe.
· The pain is often diffuse and difficult to pinpoint.
· Pain tends to recur over a period of weeks or months, with a pattern of symptoms that is unique to each individual.
· Nausea or vomiting.
· Facial skin looks pale or sometimes red.
· The body feels weak and drained of energy.
· Drastic decrease in appetite.
· Dark circles under the eyes.
· The appearance of dark bags in the under eye area.
Abdominal Migraine Diagnosis
Diagnosing abdominal migraine is often challenging, especially because children often have difficulty accurately describing their symptoms. Abdominal migraine symptoms often resemble those of a common stomach ache, stomach flu, or other digestive disorders.
As with other types of migraine, there is currently no specific test to confirm the diagnosis of this condition. Therefore, the diagnosis is usually based on family medical history, a thorough physical examination, and a series of additional tests to rule out other possible causes of similar symptoms.
One diagnostic guideline is the ICHD-III (International Classification of Headache Disorders, Third Edition) criteria. Based on these criteria, abdominal migraine is characterized by moderate to severe abdominal pain that is chronic and recurrent. This pain is often centered around the mid-abdomen or navel, or sometimes difficult to pinpoint, with a characteristic dull ache.
Attacks typically last 2 to 72 hours without any treatment. Between attacks, sufferers are usually asymptomatic. Furthermore, at least two other associated symptoms, such as loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, or a pale appearance, must be present during the attack. To confirm the diagnosis, a patient must experience at least five episodes of pain with this pattern.
Doctors also need to perform further tests to differentiate abdominal migraines from other possible causes. These tests aim to rule out various other conditions, such as gastrointestinal disorders, central nervous system disease, metabolic disorders, genitourinary problems, hematological or oncological disorders, infections, rheumatic diseases, and so on.
Abdominal Migraine Treatment
If someone has been diagnosed with abdominal migraine, treatment will focus on two main goals: relieving symptoms during an attack and preventing future recurrences. Here are some treatment methods commonly used by medical professionals:, that is:
1. Non-pharmacological therapy
TTherapeutic approaches typically begin with non-pharmacological methods, including explanation and education to prevent triggers, behavioral/habit therapy, and dietary modification. Behavioral therapy involves psychotherapy, specialized cognitive behavioral therapy, hypnotherapy, family therapy, and yoga. Some dietary changes that can be made include a high-fiber diet, probiotic consumption, and a lactose-free diet for those who are lactose intolerant.
2. Consumption of drugs
If symptoms are difficult to manage, your doctor may prescribe medication to manage abdominal migraines. Some medication options that may be prescribed for abdominal migraines include:
· NSAIDs or acetaminophen to relieve pain.
· Triptans, which are effective in treating migraine headaches and preventing symptoms from worsening.
· An anti-nausea medication that works by blocking chemicals in the brain that cause vomiting.
As with headaches, one of the main ways to prevent abdominal migraines is to avoid triggers. All family members, along with their doctor, need to collaborate to identify specific triggers and develop strategies to optimally avoid them.
Some side effects of abdominal migraine medications include dizziness, nausea,
diarrhea, blurred vision, weakness, and a feeling of coldness in the hands and
feet. If you experience any of these symptoms, consult a doctor immediately.
In addition, these medicines for stomach disorders can only be purchased with a doctor's prescription to avoid unwanted risks.
3. Lifestyle changes
Abdominal migraine can be treated by changing your lifestyle, behavior, or daily habits. One way to relieve symptoms is to rest in a dark, quiet room. Additionally, the following steps can help reduce the frequency of abdominal migraine attacks:
· Get enough sleep.
· Ensure the body is well hydrated.
· Consume nutritious food regularly.
· Exercise regularly.
· Manage stress well.
Making these lifestyle changes can be combined with medication as prescribed by a doctor for more optimal results.
Abdominal Migraine Prevention
To prevent abdominal migraine attacks from recurring, avoiding triggers is crucial. With support from parents and doctors, children experiencing this condition can identify the triggers.
Parents are advised to record their child's daily activities, including food consumption, activities, medication or vitamin use, and any factors that may trigger stress or anxiety. If a particular food is identified as triggering an attack, immediately remove it from the child's diet.
Children who suffer from abdominal migraines also need to adopt healthier lifestyle habits. Ensure they eat nutritious, high-fiber foods, exercise regularly, get enough sleep, and learn to manage their emotions and cope with stress effectively.
Complications of Abdominal Migraine
If left untreated, abdominal migraines can progress to cephalic migraines (head migraines), although the abdominal pain subsides in most cases. Furthermore, this condition can persist into adulthood, becoming a chronic disorder.