I Suffer From Abdominal Migraines

Abdominal Migraine Treatment

Abdominal Migraines are a form of migraine that consists of abdominal pain and are more commonly seen in children than in adults, with children ages 5 to 15. There are also associated symptoms of nausea and vomiting. It is described as a ‘Recurrent Gastrointestinal Disturbance’ along with Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome.

Cases of adults experiencing Abdominal Migraines are rare, but possible. The pain is described as located in the middle of the abdomen around the belly button as a ‘dull’ or ‘sore’ ache that may be moderate to severe in intensity.

Experience relief now! Schedule a treatment with our expert Abdominal Migraine practitioner today and take the first step towards a pain-free life. Don’t wait, your comfort is just a click away!

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Understanding Your Symptoms

What are the symptoms of Abdominal Migraine?

Although abdominal migraine is considered to be a “migraine disorder”, it is rarely associated with headache pain. However, when headaches are present, the condition is usually classified as a different type of migraine — such as a “classic” or “common” migraine. Interestingly, children who experience abdominal migraines will often develop migraine headaches in adulthood.

Some other symptoms that may occur with an Abdominal Migraine attack are loss of appetite (anorexia), nausea, vomiting and paleness. Abdominal Migraine episodes last between 2-72 hours. In between the episodes, there will be complete relief of symptoms. Frequency can be up to 4 attacks per week.

More information about Abdominal Migraines

Understanding Your Headache

What is the cause of Abdominal Migraines?

Currently the exact cause of Abdominal Migraines is not known, however some theories suggest that certain chemicals produced by the body (histamine and serotonin) have a role to play. Some common foods that have been known to trigger abdominal migraines include chocolate, foods with high monosodium glutamate (MSG), caffeine, and processed meats. Other triggers can include stress, poor sleep, skipping meals and exposure to bright light.

Abdominal Migraine can be hard to diagnose as children may have difficulty distinguishing between normal stomachaches, a stomach flu or abdominal migraine. Other causes for stomach pain should be ruled out such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome, gastroenteritis, appendicitis, etc.

Who do Abdominal Migraines Affect?

Abdominal Migraines are most commonly diagnosed in children between the ages of 5 and 15, though they can occasionally affect adults. The condition is characterised by recurrent attacks of moderate to severe midline abdominal pain, often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and a pale appearance. Parents should track symptoms of children with Abdominal Migraine, including the duration of episodes and any common triggers like irregular sleep habits or food sensitivities. Understanding these patterns can help in developing effective management strategies to prevent future attacks.

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How is an Abdominal Migraine Diagnosed?

Diagnosing Abdominal Migraine involves a thorough evaluation of symptoms, medical history, and ruling out other possible causes of abdominal pain. At Brisbane Headache and Migraine Clinic™, our assessment includes:

Detailed Medical History: Understanding symptom patterns, triggers, and family history of migraines or headache disorders.
Physical Examination: Evaluating signs of abdominal pain, nausea, and other associated symptoms.
Exclusion of Other Conditions: Since abdominal migraines share symptoms with conditions like irritable bowel syndrome and cyclic vomiting syndrome, we ensure an accurate diagnosis by ruling out other gastrointestinal disorders.
Tracking Symptoms: Patients may be asked to track their symptoms, including potential triggers such as poor sleep, food sensitivities, or stress.

Early diagnosis and effective management can help prevent recurrent attacks and improve quality of life.

Organise Your Initial Assessment

About The Assessment Stage

What To Expect During The Assessment

1. Comprehensive and in-depth examination

We instigate an in-depth assessment to identify all possible related factors that could be causing your headaches or migraines. The upper cervical spine, in particular, is thoroughly examined to identify possible issues.

2. Ligamental stability and vertebral arterial tests

We undertake careful examination of neck ligaments and vertebral arteries, ensuring only the highest standards of patient safety and comfort.

3. Temporarily reproduce your headache and migraine symptoms

As a part of the treatment process, we apply gentle and selective stress to the upper cervical spine in order to reproduce headache symptoms, which subside after 20-30 seconds. This helps to identify and treat the cause of your headaches.

Abdominal Migraine – Quick Facts & FAQs

What is an abdominal migraine?

An abdominal migraine causes recurrent, severe stomach pain, often around the belly button, with possible nausea, vomiting, and pale skin. It typically affects children but can occur in adults. Each episode can last from 2 to 72 hours and is not caused by infection or structural issues. The condition shares neurological pathways with classic migraine headaches.

What are the symptoms of abdominal migraine?

Symptoms include intense, midline abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and pallor or flushing. Episodes may last hours to days and recur in cycles. Unlike stomach flu, there is no infection. Children may miss school during attacks, and adults may experience stress-related flare-ups.

What is abdominal migraine in adults?

Although abdominal migraine is more common in children, adults can experience it too. In adults, it often appears as recurring abdominal pain linked to stress, hormones, or migraine history. Diagnosis can be challenging, as symptoms may resemble IBS or gastritis.

What causes abdominal migraine?

While research continues, the exact cause of abdominal migraine is not yet fully understood. It’s thought to be linked to genetics, stress, hormonal changes, and the gut-brain connection. Many people with abdominal migraine have a family history of migraine. The brain’s pain pathways and hypersensitivity of the nervous system likely play key roles.

What triggers an abdominal migraine?

Triggers can include stress, fatigue, skipped meals, dehydration, or foods such as chocolate, cheese, or processed meats. Hormonal changes and lack of sleep can also contribute. Identifying and managing triggers through a symptom diary often helps reduce attack frequency.

How is abdominal migraine diagnosed?

Diagnosis is based on clinical history and symptom patterns. There are no specific lab tests, but other causes of abdominal pain are ruled out through examination and, if needed, imaging or blood tests. The International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD) criteria are often used.

How is abdominal migraine treated?

Treatment involves both acute relief and prevention. During an attack, rest, hydration, and prescribed medications such as NSAIDs or antiemetics can help. Preventive strategies include trigger management, regular routines, and in some cases, low-dose prophylactic medication. At Brisbane Headache and Migraine Clinic, the non-drug Watson Headache Approach may be used to address cervical spine sensitivity that contributes to symptoms.

Can abdominal migraine be prevented?

Maintaining regular sleep, balanced meals, hydration, and managing stress can help prevent episodes. Avoiding identified triggers and following a personalised care plan can reduce attacks over time.

Is abdominal migraine serious?

Abdominal migraine is not dangerous, but it can affect quality of life through missed school or work and recurring discomfort. Professional assessment is important to exclude other medical causes and develop an effective treatment plan.

Abdominal Migraine vs Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome

Though they’re often mistaken for the same condition, there are differences between Abdominal Migraine and Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome.

Cyclic vomiting syndrome refers to waves of intense nausea, vomiting, and other stomach problems for no obvious reason. Cyclic vomiting syndrome may also last up to 10 days, compared to 3 days for Abdominal Migraine. While you may experience nausea and vomiting as a symptom of Abdominal Migraine, Abdominal Migraine is often experienced purely as abdominal pain.

In both cases, sufferers can experience loss of appetite and pale skin during an attack.

Abdominal Migraine vs Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome Explained

Sensitised Brainstem

In those individuals that may be suffering from Abdominal Migraine and have no underlying pathology or disorder that can be recognised, another known cause may be due to a sensitised brainstem.

A sensitised brainstem will perceive non-threatening stimuli (such as eating certain foods) and create pain to be felt where the sensory information was originally detected. This hyper-excitability of the pain sensation is due to the heightened arousal and sensitive brainstem. A sensitive brainstem will relay the sensory information to the brain but will heighten the sensation so that the brain perceives the information as painful.

How Do I Know If I Have an Abdominal Migraine

(At least 5 attacks of abdominal pain fulfilling criteria A-E)

Duration	Attack lasts 2-72 hours (either unsuccessfully treated or left untreated)
B. Location of pain	Abdominal pain located in the midline, usually surrounding the periumbilical (belly button) or poorly localised in the belly region
C. Quality of pain	Dull or ‘just sore’ pain
D. Severity of pain	Moderate to severe intensity
E. Symptoms	At least 2 out of the following 4 signs or symptoms: – Anorexia – Nausea – Vomiting – Pallor
F. Other characteristics	Will usually have complete resolution of symptoms between attacks

I’ve tried everything. What else can be done to help Abdominal Migraine?

Treating your Abdominal Migraine

Many people with Abdominal Migraine turn to over-the-counter painkillers, triptans, or even tricyclic antidepressants for relief. While these treatment options may ease symptoms temporarily, they do not address the underlying cause, and episodes often persist.

At Brisbane Headache and Migraine Clinic™, we focus on non-medication-based treatment by assessing the role of a sensitised brainstem. A highly reactive brainstem can amplify pain signals, contributing to recurrent abdominal migraine attacks. Our approach involves a thorough assessment to identify contributing factors and a tailored treatment plan aimed at long-term symptom relief.

If you or your child continue to suffer from abdominal migraines despite conventional treatments, a targeted, medication-free approach could provide the relief you’ve been seeking.

Common Headaches Treated at our Clinic

Menstrual Migraine Cluster Headache Cervicogenic Headache Whiplash Associated Injury Sinus Headache Chronic Daily Headache Tension Type Headache Migraine Headache Hormonal Headache Vertigo Cervical Headache Trigeminal Neuralgia Occipital Neuralgia Cyclical Vomiting Syndrome Hemiplegic Migraine Abdominal Migraine