Abdominal migraine is a type of migraine that is found in children aged five to nine, moreusually girls than boys. Less frequently, adults may also have this form of migraine. Apart from the difference in the age when the condition normally occurs, abdominal migraine doesn’t have the characteristic headache that is usually associated with migraine.
It has been established that children who have a family history of migraine will be more likely diagnosed with abdominal migraine and then develop migraines after puberty. Always speak to your doctor when you have questions about migraine treatment. The key to diagnosing abdominal migraine in children is the family history, as the symptoms alone cannot be used to correctly diagnose the condition.
Abdominal pain is the main symptom of this form of migraine. Abdominal migraine can be difficult to diagnose because the symptoms can be found in many conditions. The other symptoms may include sensitivity to sound and light, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, dizziness and loss of appetite. The child may look flushed, with dark circles under the eyes. The pain is usually found in the mid-line region of the abdomen, around the belly-button, and may last for an hour or two; it would then recur several times over a twenty four to seventy-two hour period. For this time, some other symptoms could also be present.
The condition has been categorized by the International Headache Society, and to come to a firm diagnosis of abdominal migraine, there are several criteria. The criteria, from A to E, state that certain symptoms and time frames must be met before a confirmed diagnosis can be made. Once more your health practitioner is the man or women to get hold of in the event you experience virtually any hemiplegic migraines. All other cause of the symptoms must first be eliminated before a diagnosis of abdominal migraine can be reached.
Abdominal migraine has only been a recognized type of migraine since the 1990s, but pediatricians in the 1960s were making the link correctly between these abdominal symptoms and migraines. Even in those early days, children with repeated abdominal episodes were diagnosed as having a “childhood form of migraine”.
Although this form of migraine seems to be less common than the other forms, this could be attributed to the fact that the generality of the symptoms means they could be put down to another problem. No recommended pattern of treatment has been developed for this type of migraine. Once abdominal migraine is diagnosed, the treatment is similar to that for other forms of migraine. Because most patients are young children, the usual migraine meds may be too strong.
The symptoms of abdominal migraines are best treated with rest, but sedatives, anti-nausea and pain killers may also help. When the symptoms start, the child needs the same as most migraine sufferers - a quiet dark room in which to rest.
Some children with abdominal migraine may also be sensitive to know migraine triggers. Experimenting with removing known food triggers from the diet, one at a time, could find a way to reduce the attacks. The most common food triggers for migraine are citrus, tomatoes, chocolate, dairy, manufactured meats, preservatives and artificial flavorings and colors. Other common migraine triggers include stress, over-tiredness and anxiety.
If you suspect your child has abdominal migraine, this information will help you get a firm diagnosis. Even if this isn’t possible, you could try the strategy of eliminating the major migraine triggers from your child’s diet in attempt to alleviate the abdominal symptoms.
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This information is certainly not medical health advice speak to your medical doctor for any troubles.