Stomach Ache? It Might be Abdominal Migraine.

Anyone who has ever had a migraine will say they do not just happen in the head. The headache is usually the worst and most painful part of a migraine, but there’s more.  Most migraineurs (people who suffer from migraines) will talk about photosensitivity (sensitivity to light), phonosensitivity (sensitivity to sound), scent sensitivity, gastric pain, cramping, and vomiting.

Sometimes the abdominal symptoms show up without the other typical migraine symptoms.  When they do, a patient is said to be experiencing an abdominal migraine.  An abdominal migraine is pain, usually varying from mild to medium, in the abdomen.  The pain is either along the midline or unspecified and is frequently accompanied by abdominal tenderness, cramp-like spasms, nausea, bloating, vomiting, and loss of appetite.

Since abdomen pain can be caused by a wide variety of conditions other causes need to be ruled out before a diagnosis can be made.  In a classic abdominal migraine, no gastric cause for the pain can be identified.  Migraineurs need to let their doctors know about their migraines when they experience unspecified abdominal pain so that the doctor knows abdominal migraine may be a possibility.

Abdominal migraines are most common in children.  Children who experience abdominal migraines frequently grow up to be migraineurs.  While abdominal migraine is not unheard of in adults, it is rare.  Like most other types of migraine, it is also more common in females than in males.

While the exact cause of abdominal migraines is unknown, it is highly likely to be related to serotonin deficiency.  Serotonin deficiency has been linked in several studies to migraines, and 90% of the body’s serotonin is produced in the gastric system.  Serotonin deficiency causes cascading waves of nerve reaction in the brain when triggering a migraine and a similar process may be in effect in the abdomen.

So what to do when you have a stomach ache? This video gives some tips:

Also have a look at what is going on in your life and if you are experiencing a bit of stress as the mind and stomach are sister organs. Release those emotions and watch your stomach relax as well. Releasing can be done through a variety of ways: meditation, yoga, EFT and taking a consciousness training course www.avatarepc.com all of which I would highly recommend.

Headaches in Children and what to do about them

A new study has revealed that children and teens become more susceptible to the pain and discomfort of headaches and migraines as the new school year begins.

More than a third of children suffer from recurrent headaches – headaches that occur more than once a month. Most are tension headaches, which are less severe and do not occur with nausea or vomiting.

“Try to get your kids back into a routine schedule at least two weeks before school starts,” said Dr Ann Pakalnis, neurologist at Nationwide Children’s Hospital.

“Begin enforcing earlier bedtimes, and make sure children are well-rested before beginning a new school year,” the expert added.

In the new study, researchers at Nationwide Children’s Hospital found that sleep and emotional disorders were common in adolescents with migraines.

Sleep disorders and mild, chronic depression became more common as headaches became more frequent.

In addition those who regularly consumed caffeine also reported more depression and were poorer sleepers.

“Our study indicates that patients with migraines should be monitored for sleep and emotional disorders,” said Pakalnis.

“These findings suggest that factors such as frequent migraines may play a role in the occurrence of these disorders.

“Also, minimizing caffeine consumption may benefit sleep and mood in headache patients and decrease susceptibility to migraine attacks,” she added.

In addition to making sure kids get plenty of sleep and minimize caffeine intake, parents should ensure their children are eating balanced meals and snacks regularly.

Also, limit their caffeine intake and monitor to check that they are getting the proper amount of fluids.

Over-the-counter medicines can provide relief but are sometimes difficult for children to swallow or digest, particularly if they have a migraine accompanied by nausea. Newer therapies such as triptans, which work on the brain’s serotonin system, are very specific for migraine treatment.

The study is published in journal Headache. (ANI)

Relief from migraine misery – children’s corner

by Mieka Smiles, Sunday Sun

THE agonising pain of migraines can leave sufferers feeling debilitated, and for many it can affect their quality of life. For young sufferers the misunderstood condition can be particularly distressing, wreaking havoc on their education and development. Mieka Smiles reports.

WHEN you are suffering from a headache, it’s often easy to self diagnose it as a migraine.

But sufferers know that migraine attacks are not just about a throbbing head; symptoms are wide ranging, from sensitivity to light, noise and sound to nausea and vomiting.

For children, the experience can be particularly frightening and confusing.

With 10 per cent of children suffering from the condition – and an estimated 2.75 million school days lost each year due as a result – it’s clear to see why national charity, Migraine Action, is launching a range of new resources to help.

As well as looking to support millions of children and young people with migraines, the charity is aiming to give practical advice to their families, teachers and school nurses – all of which will be publicised during Migraine Awareness Week which starts today and runs until next Saturday.

Lee Tomkins, director of Migraine Action, says: “Parents often contact us feeling very worried and frustrated.

“They may be in need of information and advice, they may have experienced challenges in getting a diagnosis for their child or they may be facing a lack of understanding from others – the impact on family life can be immense.

“We have created these new resources in response to feedback from parents, children, teachers and healthcare professionals.”

The symptoms of migraine in children can be very different to those in adults; abdominal pain, nausea and/or vomiting, a sensitivity to light, sound or smell, confusion and a lack of attention are all common.

Children may not experience a headache, or this may only be mild.

As a result, the condition can go unrecognised or even be thought of as bad behaviour.

Migraine Action often receives an increased number of calls to its helpline from worried parents in September as children begin to experience migraines for the first time: stress or changes to routine as children start or move school can be enough to trigger attacks.

To offer support to young migraineurs as a new school year begins, Migraine Action is launching free information packs in three age categories: eight to 10-years-old, 11 to 13-years-old and 14 – 17-years-old.

Packs include a detailed booklet, migraine diary sheets and for younger migraineurs a migraine game to help educate their friends.

Three age-specific websites are also being launched. These give information on the signs and symptoms of migraine, details of possible triggers, lifestyle tips and give young migraineurs the opportunity to share their experiences. All three websites can be accessed via www.migraine.org.uk/youngmigraineurs.

Mr Tomkins said: “By helping people to understand the condition, its causes, and by making them aware of some simple ways they may be able to help reduce a child’s chances of an attack, we hope to lessen the impact that migraine has on the lives millions of children.”

For further information or to order free copies of the new resources from Migraine Action call 0116-275 8317, email info@migraine.org.uk or visit www.migraine.org.uk/youngmigraineurs

Facts & Tips

Around half of all migraineurs will have had their first attack by the age of 12.

Migraine affects girls and boys equally until the age of 12 when it becomes more common in girls. Many girls experience their first attack around puberty.

Triggers are numerous and individual but can include dehydration, skipping meals, stress, hormones, staring at the TV, computer or video games for too long, an imbalanced diet and bright sunlight.

Although there is no cure, lifestyle tips can reduce a child’s chances of having an attack; there are also over the counter and prescribed medications which can help.

Children should not go longer than three to four hours without food during the day, or 13 hours overnight.

Avoid foods which have lots of additives and limit caffeine intake (such as in cola).

Keep regular sleep patterns; the aim should be eight to 10 hours each night.

Balance exercise with enough fuel, a starchy snack, such as a sandwich, before exercise can help prevent attacks.