Symptoms Of An Abdominal Migraine

Abdominal migraines are a type of migraine headache that occurs in the center of the abdomen. This pain is severe, and it’s long-lasting. In fact, many patients report the pain lasts as long as several days at a time, and it is accompanied by serious side effects. Children are more likely to suffer from an abdominal migraine than adults, but it has been known to occur in rare instances with adults. Since abdominal migraines are most common in children, it’s not always easy to know if this is the cause of their pain, since symptoms can be easily mistaken for other health problems. However, it's still crucial to recognize the various warning signs of an abdominal migraine.

Reveal these signs now.

Midline Abdominal Pain

Midline abdominal pain, called this because it tends to happen most often around the child’s belly button and the center of their stomach, is difficult to pinpoint in many kids because they assume they have a stomachache. Ask a small child or toddler what hurts, and they will likely say their tummy does. The pain is often throughout the stomach rather than localized to one area. Children often describe the pain as very dull or sore. If a child participates in sports or plays hard, parents might assume their stomach is sore because they hurt themselves playing or during an activity. What parents must realize is midline abdominal pain, when it's the result of an abdominal migraine, lasts for days in many kids. Unfortunately, many parents and their children miss this as a symptom of an abdominal migraine until it’s too late.

Learn more about the symptoms of an abdominal migraine now.

Fatigue And Lethargy

Fatigue and lethargy are common symptoms of an abdominal migraine, though like the rest of the symptoms on this list, it’s easy to assume a child could be suffering from almost anything if symptoms are isolated. Fatigue can occur easily, and it’s noticeable when a child wants to sleep more than usual. They might fall asleep while lying down in the morning, afternoon, or at night. They might be more difficult to wake up in the morning or after a nap, and they might seem lethargic all day. Many parents mistake the lethargy as a sign their child is coming down with a cold or the flu. When it’s associated with serious stomach pain in the midline area, however, it’s a big indicator a child might suffer from abdominal migraines. If parents have any questions about how this affects their child, it’s time to call the pediatrician and ask what they can do to make sure their child is receiving the proper treatment.

Keep reading to reveal how appetite can be a symptom of an abdominal migraine next.

Loss Of Appetite

A loss of appetite occurs when children don’t feel well, which doesn’t make it easy to narrow down the issue. This is one symptom parents notice almost immediately. The affected child might start by pushing away a meal after only a few bites, often saying they’re not hungry and feel full. Then they won’t ask for a snack later, and they often don't want their next meal either. It’s usually obvious after a missed meal and the lack of desire for any snacks that something is wrong, but a loss of appetite by itself can mean anything. If it comes with lethargy, fatigue, and stomach pains, parents should call the doctor and ask about an abdominal migraine. Remember this type of migraine does not typically affect a child’s head or cause headaches. It’s strictly pain that lasts anywhere from a few hours to a few days and is isolated to their stomach.

Learn about more ways in which abdominal migraines can be spotted now.

Nausea And Vomiting

Kids who have stomach issues tend to feel sick to their stomach in more ways than one. For example, a child might suddenly feel like they need to vomit. Nausea and vomiting are not uncommon, but it can become worrisome when a child is not eating and begins dry heaving. It can cause the child to become dehydrated, so parents need to push liquids on their child regularly when they are vomiting. They won’t want anything to drink, but it's important to force them to at least have something to drink o they don’t become dehydrated and require hospitalization. Nausea doesn’t always mean vomiting occurs, but parents should watch out for this when their child is exhibiting other symptoms on this list. While the vomiting itself isn’t always an issue, parents must be very vigilant about their child’s liquid intake.

Keep going to learn when a child's complexion may indicate they could have an abdominal migraine next.

Pale Or Flushed Complexion

A child with an abdominal migraine might also have a very noticeable change to their skin and complexion. They’ll become pale save for the flushed look in their cheeks and face. They might not feel well, but they will also look that way. In addition to the child’s pale skin and flushed tone, parents might also notice dark circles developing under their eyes. These can look terrifying when they appear on pale skin, but it’s nothing to worry about if the child is eating and drinking.

It’s hard to find out what is going on when kids just have a tummy ache on their minds. However, if the pain is accompanied by a list of symptoms and the child doesn’t feel better after a few hours, parents should consider calling the pediatrician. Children don’t know they are suffering from something more serious than a stomachache, but the symptoms and the length of time they last can help parents determine what is going on.