It is rare for adults to have abdominal migraines.
This particular type of migraine occurs often in children and is recognized as such by the medical community.
Another name for this disease is periodic syndrome.
To put it simply, abdominal migraines, or stomach migraines in children, involve pain in the abdomen, even when there is no headache.
Usually the stomach pain lasts about two hours, but can be anywhere from 1-72 hours.
Other symptoms may occur such as nausea and/or vomiting, sensitivity to light, irritability, diarrhea, loss of appetite, headache (not always though), or the child may become flushed or pale.
Most stomach migraines in children occur between the ages of 5 and 9.
Younger children could be affected, but it is difficult to know because younger children may not be able to describe their symptoms.
Studies suggest that 2-4% of children may experience this type of migraine.
How do you recognize stomach migraines in children? This can be a difficult and frustrating process.
Often the symptoms are thought to be the flu.
One difference, however, is that children may experience a stomach migraine a couple of times in the same month, with no pain in between times.
Another thing to consider is whether or not migraines run in the family.
A migraine is believed to be genetically based and therefore passed on to future generations.
Other than the stomach pain, the child will probably be healthy.
The pain of a stomach migraine is usually severe and will interfere with normal daily activities.
Usually the child will want to lie in a dark room and sleep.
Fortunately there are good options for treating this condition.
Biofeedback is one non-drug treatment that has been helpful for both children and adults.
There are prescriptions to treat the migraines as well: Inderal, Propranolol (a type of beta-blocker), Cyproheptadine (an antihistamine which affects serotonin acitivity), and Midrin (sometimes used in combination with Cyproheptadine and contains a mild sedative and acetaminophen).
Remember, never give a drug that's been prescribed for you to someone else, but especially not to a child.
Talk to your family doctor about specific options for treating stomach migraines in children.
You may have to try a few different remedies before you find the one that is right for your child.
This particular type of migraine occurs often in children and is recognized as such by the medical community.
Another name for this disease is periodic syndrome.
To put it simply, abdominal migraines, or stomach migraines in children, involve pain in the abdomen, even when there is no headache.
Usually the stomach pain lasts about two hours, but can be anywhere from 1-72 hours.
Other symptoms may occur such as nausea and/or vomiting, sensitivity to light, irritability, diarrhea, loss of appetite, headache (not always though), or the child may become flushed or pale.
Most stomach migraines in children occur between the ages of 5 and 9.
Younger children could be affected, but it is difficult to know because younger children may not be able to describe their symptoms.
Studies suggest that 2-4% of children may experience this type of migraine.
How do you recognize stomach migraines in children? This can be a difficult and frustrating process.
Often the symptoms are thought to be the flu.
One difference, however, is that children may experience a stomach migraine a couple of times in the same month, with no pain in between times.
Another thing to consider is whether or not migraines run in the family.
A migraine is believed to be genetically based and therefore passed on to future generations.
Other than the stomach pain, the child will probably be healthy.
The pain of a stomach migraine is usually severe and will interfere with normal daily activities.
Usually the child will want to lie in a dark room and sleep.
Fortunately there are good options for treating this condition.
Biofeedback is one non-drug treatment that has been helpful for both children and adults.
There are prescriptions to treat the migraines as well: Inderal, Propranolol (a type of beta-blocker), Cyproheptadine (an antihistamine which affects serotonin acitivity), and Midrin (sometimes used in combination with Cyproheptadine and contains a mild sedative and acetaminophen).
Remember, never give a drug that's been prescribed for you to someone else, but especially not to a child.
Talk to your family doctor about specific options for treating stomach migraines in children.
You may have to try a few different remedies before you find the one that is right for your child.
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