Abdominal Migraine Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Abdominal migraines are not the headache next door as is commonly known. As the name suggests, abdominal migraines or abdominal migraines are pain conditions in the abdomen. Abdominal migraines are the most frequent cause of chronic and recurrent abdominal pain in children, where girls are more often exposed than boys.

Symptoms of abdominal migraines often occur suddenly and severely, with no prior signs. Complaints experienced by abdominal migraines can last an hour or more, up to several days.

People with this disease will usually experience symptoms in the form of:

• Pain in the middle of the abdomen or around the navel.
• Pain can be moderate to severe.
• Usually, the pain is diffuse or cannot be appointed with certainty.
• Pain can recurrent within a few weeks or several months, and there is usually a characteristic pattern of symptoms in sufferers.
• Nausea and easy vomiting.
• Pale.
• Limp and powerless.
• Loss of appetite.
• There is a black sac under the eyes.

1. Causes of Abdominal Migraines

The cause of abdominal migraine is currently unknown. It is likely related to the body's chemicals, namely histamine, and serotonin. In addition, it seems that some types of foods, such as chocolate, foods containing monosodium glutamate (MSG), citrus, caffeine, cheese, carbonated beverages, contain dyes and flavorings, as well as meats processed with nitrates, can trigger abdominal migraines in some people.

Other triggers that can cause abdominal migraines include very bright light, poor sleep quality, travel, long fasting, and stressor at school or family

2. Abdominal Migraine Risk Factors

Abdominal migraines are usually familial, children with the disease usually have family members who have a similar history of complaints.

The average age of children with Abdominal Migraine is between 3–10 years, and peaks at age 7.

3. Diagnosis of Abdominal Migraines

Enforcing the diagnosis of abdominal migraines is often difficult because children find it difficult to explain the complaints they are experiencing.

There are several criteria that can be used to enforce the diagnosis of abdominal migraines, among others based on the ICHD III criteria. Based on ICHD III, the diagnosis of abdominal migraines is established based on the unknown cause of moderate to severe abdominal pain and chronic, repetitive, oppositional in the mid-abdominal area, around the navel, or cannot be clearly localized, blunt pain. Attacks usually last for 2-72 hours without therapy and sufferers will feel symptom-free between attacks. In addition, there are at least two other symptoms related, such as loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and paleness when a pain attack occurs, as well as at least 5 episodes of pain to enforce the diagnosis.

It is necessary for a comprehensive examination by a doctor to be able to distinguish abdominal migraines from other possible causes of perceived symptoms, such as those caused by gastrointestinal disorders, central nervous makeup disorders, metabolic disorders, urogenital causes, hematological/oncology diseases, infections, rheumatism, and so on.

4. Abdominal Migraine Treatment

Therapy generally begins with nonpharmacological therapies, such as with explanations and education to prevent triggers, behavioral/habitual therapy, and dietary modifications. Behavioral therapy can be done with psychotherapy, specialized cognitive behavioral therapy, hypnotherapy, family therapy, and yoga. Some dietary modifications can be made, such as a diet high in fiber, consumption of probiotics, a lactose-free diet (in people with lactose intolerance).

If complaints are difficult to overcome, it is likely that the doctor will provide drug therapy, among others with painkillers and symptom prevention therapy, such as with the beta-blocker group, 5-HT antagonist, a calcium-channel blocker, or 5-HT agonist with antihistamines.

5. Side Effects of Abdominal Migraine Treatment

Side effects of some abdominal migraine medications include dizziness, nausea, diarrhea, blurred vision, suffocation, and cold hands and feet. Discuss with the doctor the complaint. Medicines for therapy of this disease are medicines that must be purchased with a doctor's prescription, so should not be taken without the supervision of a doctor.

6. Abdominal Migraine Complications

Abdominal migraines can then develop into head migraines although the pain in the stomach has healed in most sufferers. In addition, abdominal migraines can continue to occur in adulthood.

7. Prevention of Abdominal Migraines

Prevention of abdominal migraines can be done by avoiding triggers that can risk causing complaints of this disease.

8. When to See a Doctor?

If the child experiences chronic and recurrent abdominal pain complaints, as well as other symptoms leading to abdominal migraines, please check with your nearest doctor immediately.