Unlike other forms of migraine, abdominal migraine is most common in children aged five to nine, with girls being more at risk than boys. Some adults suffer this migraine type as well. 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. At all times speak to your doctor for those who have questions regarding migraine headache. The key to a correct diagnosis of abdominal migraine is the family history, because the general symptoms do not give an accurate diagnosis on their own.

Abdominal pain is the main symptom of this form of migraine. Because abdominal pain is present in a wide range of conditions, abdominal migraine can be difficult to diagnose. Other symptoms are vomiting, nausea, dizziness, diarrhea, loss of appetite, sensitivity to light and noise and appear pale. The child may have a flushed look with dark circles around 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. There may be other symptoms showing during this time.

The International Headache Society has categorized this condition and their criteria must be met before diagnosis can be reached. The criteria are in 5 parts, ranging from a child having five attacks with mid-section pain lasting for one to three days, to a child having a minimum of two other symptoms as well as the pain as well as a family history of migraine. Again your current physician will be individual to contact if you experience virtually any complicated migraines. All other possible cause of the presenting symptoms must first be investigated before abdominal migraine can be correctly diagnosed.

Abdominal Migraine was only officially recognized in the 1990s, but pediatricians as early as the mid 1960s were making the link between repeat abdominal symptoms and migraines. Children were diagnosed with childhood migraine if they had repeat attacks of these abdominal symptoms.

This type of migraine is less common than other types, but maybe it is not correctly diagnosed because of the generality of the symptoms. This means that no pattern of treatment has yet been developed for the condition. The treatment for diagnosed abdominal migraine is very similar to that of other migraine types. The usual medication given to migraine sufferers may not be suitable because of the age of the children.

The symptoms are best treated with rest, although analgesics, sedatives and anti-nausea drugs may be prescribed. During an attack, the child should rest in bed in a quiet, darkened room, just like many older migraine sufferers need.

Many migraine sufferers are sensitive to certain migraine triggers, and a child with abdominal migraine may be similarly sensitive. Parents could set up a program of removing known food triggers from the child’s diet and guage the reaction, if any. Some of the common triggers include dairy, tomatoes, artificial colors and flavors, manufactured meats, preservatives, citrus and chocolate. Other 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 article is never medical advice get hold of your physician for all issues.