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In this Article

• What are abdominal migraines in children and adults?
• What causes abdominal migraines?
• What are the signs and symptoms of abdominal migraines?
• How are abdominal migraines diagnosed?
• How are abdominal migraines treated?
• Can abdominal migraines be prevented?
• Find a local Doctor in your town
• Abdominal Migraines in Children and Adults Index

A specific treatment for abdominal migraines has not yet been established. Because little is known about treating abdominal migraines, doctors may treat them like other migraines.

For some patients, certain serotonin blockers and tricyclic antidepressants may be useful for treating abdominal migraines. Doctors have had some success treating older children with nasal sumatriptan, which is a drug in the triptan class. However, the triptans used for migraine headaches have not been approved for use in children.

Triptans may also help adults with abdominal migraines. In addition, valproic acid (Depakote, for example), which is used to treat migraine headaches, has been used with some success in treating abdominal migraines.

With appropriate education, children and adults with abdominal migraine may be able to figure out their personal triggers. For example, sometimes food such as chocolate or Chinese food that contains monosodium glutamate (MSG) might increase the chance of abdominal migraines. Avoiding these foods may be useful for some. Many people, though, have no food triggers for abdominal migraines.

Self-managing stress, along with healthy lifestyle habits, may play a role in reducing the risk of abdominal migraines. Children and adults who get abdominal migraines may want to keep a diary of the times that abdominal symptoms occur. They should also consult with their doctors about the best course of action for treatment and prevention.

WebMD Medical Reference

SOURCES:
FDA: "Managing migraines."
eMedicineHealth: "Migraine Variants."
The National Migraine Association: "What is abdominal migraine?"
Neurology Channel: "Migraine Headaches."
National Headache Foundation: "Abdominal Migraine."
MedicineNet.com: "Migraine Headaches."
International Headache Society ICHD-II: "Abdominal Migraine Diagnosis."
Reviewed by Richard Senelick, MD on August 29, 2012

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