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Find your triggers! What daily habits can trigger abdominal migraine attacks?
Abdominal migraine is a functional disease that occurs mainly in children and adolescents and has no clear pathological mechanism or biochemical abnormality. Children often experience severe central abdominal pain, along with migraine symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, severe headache and paleness. Although the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not approved any medications to treat abdominal migraines, the main goal of treatment is usually to prevent attacks, which is often achieved through nonpharmacological interventions.
Studies show that the incidence of abdominal migraine in children ranges from 0.4% to 4%, and mainly affects children aged 3 to 10 years old, with a higher incidence in females.
Symptoms and signs
The hallmark feature of abdominal migraine is severe abdominal pain, usually in the midline, that comes and goes suddenly and repetitively, with an average duration of about 17 hours. The pain is often described as dull and localized around the navel, although it has also been reported to be diffuse and cramping. 91% of patients experience loss of appetite, 73% to 91% experience nausea, 35% to 50% experience vomiting, and nearly all patients (93% to 100%) have associated pallor. The attack usually ends suddenly.
Reason
The occurrence of abdominal migraine may be related to specific changes in the gut-brain axis, abnormal vascular function, changes in the central nervous system and genetic factors.
Risk Factors
Psychological factors may also play a role in the pathogenesis of abdominal migraine. Studies have shown that abuse and stressful events are risk factors for recurrent abdominal pain, and children with functional gastrointestinal disorders are more likely to suffer from mental health problems such as anxiety and depression.
Common triggers include: stress at work and at home, irregular sleep patterns, prolonged fasting and undereating, dehydration, exercise, travel, high-amine foods, foods containing flavorings, colorings, and MSG, and Flashing lights.
Genetic factors
Because of the strong familial incidence of abdominal migraine and other migraines, a significant genetic component is likely involved, particularly mutations affecting cell membrane trafficking (channelopathies).
Diagnosis
When diagnosing abdominal migraine, it is important to exclude other organic disorders and also consider the patient's functional status. The diagnosis of abdominal migraine requires a complete medical history and physical examination, as well as a careful evaluation of potential warning signs and symptoms. According to the Rome IV criteria, consecutive episodes of abdominal pain must last at least an hour, be repetitive and paralyzing, interfere with normal activities, and must be separated by symptom-free periods of weeks or months between episodes.
TreatmentDue to a lack of research in the literature, there are no clear recommendations for the treatment of abdominal migraine. Many treatment options are based on small-scale evidence and are closely tied to abdominal migraine and its association with migraine. Using the STRESS mnemonic can help doctors remember treatment details, including stress management, travel recommendations, rest, emergency symptoms, flashing lights and foods to avoid. Although there have been no randomized trials specifically evaluating the effects of biofeedback and counseling in the treatment of abdominal migraine, it is possible that these interventions could be helpful if emotional stress is a trigger.
Prognosis and epidemiology
Abdominal migraines can significantly affect your daily life. Many patients outgrow the disorder, and the average age of diagnosis is 7 years. Although rare in adults, children who have had abdominal migraines may develop migraines as they grow older. Recent studies suggest that abdominal migraines may occur as high as 9% or as low as 1% in children.
First described in 1921, the condition was initially considered a controversial diagnosis but is now recognized as a common cause of chronic abdominal pain in children. However, have you ever been confused by some of the habits in your daily life that you cannot relate to this disease?
