Abdominal Migraines in Children and Adults (cont.)

Symptoms of abdominal migraines may include:

• Acute, severe, midline abdominal pain that is associated with nausea
• Vomiting
• Paleness
• Inability to eat

The abdominal pain may last for as short as one hour or as long as three days.

Migraine headaches are generally preceded by an "aura" by which the migraine sufferer can sense that a headache is coming on. Abdominal migraines, though, are frequently sudden and quite severe. They can occur without any warning signs and can increase anxiety in the person who gets them.

Diagnosing abdominal migraines is difficult. Children have difficulty distinguishing the features of an abdominal migraine from ordinary stomachaches, stomach flu, or other gastrointestinal illnesses.

Family history of migraine and abdominal migraines is a key factor in determining the possibility of abdominal migraines. So, the doctor will look at the patient's family medical history to assist in making an accurate diagnosis.

The first step is to eliminate other causes of stomach pain. Then the doctor may assess specific criteria developed by migraine experts. To determine the likelihood of an abdominal migraine, the doctor may check for some of the following symptoms:

• Moderate to severe midline pain lasting from one to 72 hours
• Symptoms of nausea and vomiting
• Anorexia (a decrease in appetite; inability to eat)
• Yawning, listlessness, drowsiness
• Headache
• Pallor (paleness/abnormally pale skin color)
• Dark shadows under the eyes
• Flushing

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Source: MedicineNet.com
http://www.medicinenet.com/abdominal_migraines_in_children_and_adults/article.htm