If you or your child regularly experiences severe, even debilitating abdominal (belly) pain without a clear physical cause, such as an illness or a reaction to food, it could be due to abdominal migraine. This condition is often linked with other periodic syndromes (recurring issues not caused by infections), such as cyclic vomiting syndrome and limb pain caused by migraine.

Abdominal migraine generally starts in childhood. However, this chronic (long-term) condition can also affect adults, especially those with a family history of migraine. Abdominal migraine occurs in about 2 percent to 5 percent of children, usually between ages 2 and 10. Women and individuals assigned female at birth are more likely to experience abdominal migraine than men and individuals assigned male at birth, according to Cleveland Clinic.

Between attacks, people with abdominal migraine usually feel fine, and children with this condition grow and develop like their peers. Between episodes, their physical and neurological exams show no problems.

Symptoms of Abdominal Migraine

The main symptom of abdominal migraine is moderate to severe abdominal pain, usually in the area around the belly button. This type of migraine attack may also cause symptoms beyond pain in the middle of the belly. Usually, people with abdominal migraine report experiencing some combination of the following:

• Headache
• Light sensitivity
• Sound sensitivity
• Paleness
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Vomiting

Abdominal migraine occurs in about 2 percent to 5 percent of children.

The abdominal pain and other symptoms can last anywhere from an hour to three days, often interfering with daily life. The attacks can come close together or occur weeks or months apart, with the person feeling healthy most of the time.

Causes of Abdominal Migraine

Abdominal migraine doesn’t result from a physical problem in the stomach, which makes it hard to pinpoint why it happens. Researchers are still working to understand its cause, but there does seem to be a genetic component. Most people with abdominal migraine have a personal or family history of migraine headaches.

For people with abdominal migraine, particular situations can bring on attacks. These triggers may include:

• Stress associated with school, work, or family activities
• Travel or motion sickness
• Long periods of fasting
• Exposure to flickering or glaring lights
• Changes in sleep patterns
• Intense exercise

Diagnosis of Abdominal Migraine

Doctors typically use a detailed personal and family medical history, a physical exam, and established guidelines to diagnose abdominal migraine. Usually, no lab or imaging tests are required, but tests may be done to try to find a physical cause of the abdominal pain.

There appears to be a genetic component to abdominal migraine, as most people with the condition have a personal or family history of migraine headaches.

Reaching a definitive diagnosis of abdominal migraine often takes time, as doctors and neurology providers must rule out several other conditions that could cause the symptoms. Abdominal migraine may be diagnosed when doctors can’t find any other explanation for the abdominal pain. Abdominal migraine is even more likely when a person’s symptoms don’t match those of gastrointestinal disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome.

Treatment Options for Abdominal Migraine

After diagnosing abdominal migraine, pediatric health care providers should evaluate how severe and frequent the attacks are and how much they impact the child’s quality of life. These details help them design a tailored treatment plan. Although there’s no cure for abdominal migraine, various strategies can help manage symptoms and reduce the likelihood of future attacks. Effective treatment often includes a combination of medications and lifestyle changes.

Trigger Avoidance

The first step in managing abdominal migraine and preventing attacks often involves identifying and avoiding triggers such as stress, travel, or skipping meals. Keeping a journal can help pinpoint what might bring on episodes for you or your child. Record details like meals, daily activities, and emotional stress, then look for patterns that appear before an attack. Identifying specific triggers can guide future strategies to reduce the likelihood of episodes.

Diet

Dietary changes are often recommended to help manage abdominal migraine. For some individuals, following a diet that’s low in tyramine (a substance formed when the amino acid tyrosine breaks down) may help reduce the frequency and intensity of attacks. Common foods to avoid include:

• Aged meats and cheeses
• Sauerkraut and pickles
• Fermented soy products, such as miso and soy sauce
• Nuts, nut butters, and seeds

Other dietary adjustments may be advised based on what triggers a person’s abdominal migraine attacks. Always check with your health care provider before cutting out any foods. They can help you create a balanced, nutritious eating plan that meets your requirements.

Therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) may be beneficial in some cases of abdominal migraine, such as when attacks are linked with anxiety. Your gastroenterology team or neurologist may be able to refer you to mental health professionals who have experience in treating people with abdominal migraine. It’s important to find a therapist who’s a good fit for you or your child, as trust and comfort are key for therapy such as CBT to be effective. If the relationship doesn’t feel right, keep looking until you find someone who can provide the support you need.

Medication

Medications can also play a role in managing abdominal migraine. Your health care provider will work with you to find the best options for you or your child. They’ll also tell you what side effects you might develop and guide you on what to do if they occur.

About 70 percent of children with abdominal migraine will experience migraine headaches later in life.

Treatments for migraine headaches, including certain pain relievers or preventive medications, may also help reduce abdominal migraine symptoms. If attacks are severe or happen often, stronger medications typically prescribed for migraine might be necessary.

Outlook for Abdominal Migraine

Although some children with abdominal migraine continue to experience it into adulthood, most outgrow the condition. In fact, by the time they hit their later teens, about 60 percent of children with abdominal migraine no longer experience episodes.

However, about 70 percent of children diagnosed with abdominal migraine go on to develop migraine headaches as they get older. These migraine attacks often appear during the teenage years or in adulthood.

Talk With Others Who Understand

MyMigraineTeam is the social network for people living with migraine and their loved ones. On MyMigraineTeam, more than 84,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with migraine.

Are you or your child living with abdominal migraine? Are migraine attacks common in your family? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.