Other Ways To Treat Abdominal Migraines
The sooner you can treat migraines, the sooner you can prevent symptoms. Over-the-counter pain relievers such as Tylenol and ibuprofen, or anti-nausea medications can be great options.
Prescription medications for migraines are generally safe and effective. Daily preventative medications are usually reserved for kids who have more than four attacks in a month, or whose attacks last for several days or cause them to miss school, says Elton.
Certain supplements have been reported to have some success in treating migraine symptoms. While magnesium is backed by the American Migraine Foundation, it can cause stomach upset, which makes Elton more hesitant to use it with her patients. Vitamin B2 might help prevent migraine symptoms according to a 2021 Nutritional Neuroscience study. According to Elton, theres no data showing its usefulness for abdominal migraines in particular, but it may help some children and its considered a low-risk medication to try.
Demystifying abdominal migraines and receiving a diagnosis is important, Elton says, because it can make the pain less scary and ease concerns in parents about their children. Its also a vital step toward valuable treatment. To feel like you have a handle on it and a game plan is quite helpful, Elton says.
Headache And Stomach Cramps
- Medical Author: Dan Brennan, MD
Last Editorial Review: 6/15/2020
These symptoms can be present in a wide variety of gastrointestinal and other medical conditions. Have you been around anyone who might have a stomach “flu“? Keep track of your symptoms. If you are concerned, you should reach out to your doctor.
While the list below can be considered as a guide to educate yourself about these conditions, this is not a substitute for a diagnosis from a health care provider. There are many other medical conditions that also can be associated with your symptoms and signs. Here are a number of those from MedicineNet:
Bleeding Or Perforated Ulcer
Ulcers in the stomach or first part of the small intestine, the duodenum, most frequently develop due to infection with Helicobacter pylori bacteria or frequent use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, including aspirin, celecoxib , ibuprofen or naproxen . Burning or gnawing pain in the upper, central stomach area frequently occurs with an ulcer, often accompanied by nausea, bloating and possibly reduced appetite. Bleeding is the most frequent complication of stomach and duodenal ulcers. With mild ongoing bleeding, anemia and dizziness can develop. With more severe bleeding, rapid blood loss can provoke sudden dizziness and possibly fainting.
A perforated ulcer refers to one that has eroded completely through the wall of the stomach or duodenum. This complication typically provokes severe abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and often a profound drop in blood pressure with associated dizziness.
Recommended Reading: What Can I Take To Clean Out My Stomach
Headache Due To Gas Symptoms
Many common gas symptoms trigger headaches. These symptoms include acid reflux, indigestion, abdominal pain, abdominal bloating, constipation, nausea or vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal cramping, food intolerance, and more.
Treatment for headaches due to gas symptoms includes diet modifications, modifications in lifestyle, and medications, all of which help manage symptoms.
Many studies have stated that treating a gastrointestinal disorder may eventually reduce headaches or alleviate headache symptoms.
As per a 2003 study, a gluten-free diet may improve headache frequency, length and intensity. Similarly, a study from 2015 states that treating the condition of constipation can significantly improve gastric headaches.
The observations made in this field are very promising when it comes to reducing the symptoms. However, additional research can provide more clarity on the question âcan gas give you a headacheâ.
What Causes Headache And Nausea
Migraine headaches are a common cause of combined headache and nausea. Migraines can cause a variety of symptoms, including nausea, dizziness, sensitivity to light, and severe headache pain. Theyre often preceded by a visual or sensory disturbance, called an aura.
Other conditions associated with headache and nausea include dehydration and low blood sugar. Dehydration can occur when you dont drink enough fluid.
Low blood sugar can develop for a variety of reasons, including excessive alcohol consumption, medication side effect, severe liver or kidney disease, long-term starvation, and hormonal deficiencies. If you have diabetes, taking too much insulin can also cause low blood sugar.
Other conditions that can lead to headache and nausea include:
- neck stiffness and a fever
- vomiting for more than 24 hours
- no urination for eight hours or more
- loss of consciousness
If you suspect you need urgent care, seek help. Its better to be safe than sorry.
If you experience headaches and nausea on a frequent basis, even if theyre mild, make an appointment with your doctor. They can help diagnose your symptoms and recommend a treatment plan.
Recommended Reading: Does Stomach Problems Cause Bad Breath
Cutting Back On Wheat For Better Health
All in all, there are many good reasons to minimize grain foods, and particularly processed wheat products, that provide your body with a flood of empty calories, yet next to no nutritional value.
Not only will you avoid digestion problems with gluten and fructans, youll also greatly reduce your of obesity and other serious conditions associated with high carbohydrate consumption.
The following list of high gluten foods may be hard to read for some. If your sensitivity is mild, then you may see improvement just by reducing some of the highest sources, like supermarket breads and pasta.
However, if you have wheat allergy symptoms, or are fully intolerant, then its vital to your long-term wellness to make the switch to foods on the gluten-free list ahead.
Fortunately, most gliadin-free alternatives to wheat, barley and rye are also low in fructans, so avoiding one will also generally avoid the other.
The only exception to this is gluten-free products still made from wheat, barley or rye. These are usually still high sources of indigestible fructans that can cause bloating and gas on their own.
Read Also: Do Herpes Outbreaks Occur In The Same Spot
How Common Are Headaches In Adults
If your head is throbbing, youre not alone. Headache is one of the most common pain conditions in the world. Up to 75% of adults worldwide have had a headache in the past year.
Headaches are a major cause of absenteeism from work and school. They also take a toll on social and family life. For some people, continually battling headaches can lead to feeling anxious and depressed.
Read Also: What Can I Give My Puppy To Settle His Stomach
A Note From Cleveland Clinic
The good news for headache sufferers is that you can choose from many kinds of treatment. If your first treatment plan doesnt work, dont give up. Your healthcare provider can recommend other treatments or strategies to find the right fix for you.
Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 06/03/2020.
References
When Should I Be Concerned About My Childs Headache And Stomach Ache
Although most headaches and stomach aches in children arent serious, some can be a sign of an underlying condition. For headaches, you should call your doctor immediately if your child is experiencing a sudden headache that is more painful than anything theyve ever experienced, a fever, or cognitive issues such as slurred speech, confusion, or behavior changes.
If your childs stomach ache is getting worse, it wakes them up from sleep, is accompanied by vomiting, and if they are unusually sleepy, you should call your doctor immediately. A fever, blood in their stool or urine, and unexplained weight loss should also prompt you to visit a doctor.
Headaches and stomach aches that occur directly after an injury should also be investigated by your childs doctor.
You May Like: What Medication Helps With Stomach Ulcers
Common Symptoms Of A Migraine
The main symptom of a migraine is usually an intense headache on 1 side of the head.
The pain is usually a moderate or severe throbbing sensation that gets worse when you move and prevents you carrying out normal activities.
In some cases, the pain can occur on both sides of your head and may affect your face or neck.
Abdominal Migraines Are Fairly Common And Underdiagnosed In Children One Expert Shares The Symptoms To Watch For And How To Treat This Ailment
When you think of migraines, head pain likely comes to mind. A migraine is a neurological disease that can bring on nausea, vomiting and light sensitivity. Its main symptom is agonizing head pain. But, it turns out, this ailment can inflict the abdomen as well, particularly in children.
are fairly common and pretty underdiagnosed, says Lindsay Elton, a pediatric neurologist in Austin, Texas. Families will come in and say they thought their kid was getting a lot of stomach bugs, but it was happening too regularly for that to make sense.
Also Check: How Can I Lose My Stomach In 30 Days
When To Contact A Doctor
A person should go to the emergency room or call 911 immediately if they notice these symptoms in themselves or someone else. Delaying care can result in death.
There is no safe home treatment for a stroke. A doctor may perform surgery, admit a person to the hospital, or recommend long-term care, such as physical or speech therapy.
Have A Gluten Allergy Reach Out To Digestive Health Centers
If you believe you may have a gluten sensitivity, it is important to see a doctor and undergo specific testing to receive the most accurate diagnosis. Its a top asked question at Digestive Health Centers of Dallas, and we invite you to schedule a consultation with one of our board certified, fellowship-trained gastroenterologists to receive the best digestive care.
Read Also: Can You Take Allegra On An Empty Stomach
When To Get Medical Advice
You should see a GP if you have frequent or severe migraine symptoms that cannot be managed with occasional use of over-the-counter painkillers, such as paracetamol.
Try not to use the maximum dosage of painkillers on a regular or frequent basis as this could make it harder to treat headaches over time.
You should also make an appointment to see a GP if you have frequent migraines , even if they can be controlled with medicine, as you may benefit from preventative treatment.
You should call 999 for an ambulance immediately if you or someone you’re with experiences:
- paralysis or weakness in 1 or both arms or 1 side of the face
- slurred or garbled speech
- a sudden agonising headache resulting in a severe pain unlike anything experienced before
- headache along with a high temperature , stiff neck, mental confusion, seizures, double vision and a rash
These symptoms may be a sign of a more serious condition, such as a stroke or meningitis, and should be assessed by a doctor as soon as possible.
How Is Abdominal Migraine Treated
Once a child is diagnosed with abdominal migraine, treatment generally falls into two categories: relieving symptoms during an episode and preventing future episodes.
While there are few studies on the treatment and management of abdominal migraine, doctors may prescribe the following medications, based on their usefulness in treating migraines:
- NSAIDs or acetaminophen to relieve the pain.
- Triptans. This family of drugs is commonly used to treat migraine headaches and, if taken as soon as a migraine starts, can prevent symptoms from progressing.
- Anti-nausea medication. Anti-nausea drugs act by blocking chemicals in the brain that trigger vomiting.
Some studies have shown evidence to support the use of the following medications in preventing abdominal migraine:
- Pizotifen, a benzocycloheptene-based drug.
Don’t Miss: How To Help Stomach Virus Pain
Why Does Shingles Appear Mostly On One Side Or In One Area Of The Body
The virus travels in specific nerves, so you will often see shingles occur in a band on one side of the body. This band corresponds to the area where the nerve transmits signals. The shingles rash stays somewhat localized to an area it does not spread over your whole body. The torso is a common area, as is the face.
Symptoms Of Genital Herpes
Primary Genital Herpes Outbreak
For people with symptoms, the first outbreak usually occurs in or around the genital area 2 days to 2 weeks after sexual exposure to the virus. The first signs are a tingling sensation in the affected areas and groups of small red bumps that develop into blisters. Over the next 2 to 3 weeks, more blisters can appear and rupture into painful open sores. The lesions eventually dry out, develop a crust, and heal rapidly without leaving a scar. Blisters in moist areas heal more slowly than those in dry areas. The sores may sometimes itch, but itching decreases as they heal.
About 40% of men and 70% of women develop other symptoms during initial outbreaks of genital herpes, such as flu-like discomfort, headache, muscle aches, and fever. Swollen glands may occur in the groin area or neck. Some women may have difficulty urinating and may, occasionally, require a urinary catheter. Women may also experience vaginal discharge.
Recurrent Genital Herpes Outbreak
In general, recurrences are much milder than the initial outbreak. The virus sheds for a much shorter period of time compared to an initial outbreak of 3 weeks. Women may have only minor itching, and the symptoms may be even milder in men.
Read Also: How To Get Rid Of Herpes Simplex On Lips
Don’t Miss: How To Manscape Your Chest And Stomach
What Are The Symptoms Of Gluten Sensitivity
Over the last 10 or 15 years, the word gluten has found its way into the vocabulary of our society. Gluten is a protein found in grains such as wheat, rye, and barley. Through extensive media coverage, it is now common knowledge that some people suffer from celiac disease, which is an autoimmune disorder that causes inflammation in the digestive tracts of people who eat gluten. These people must completely cut gluten out of their diet, or else face permanent intestinal damage.
Celiac disease only affects about 1% of the population, and its estimated that people with a wheat allergy account for another 1%. What some people dont know is that even if you dont suffer from these two very specific diseases, its still possible to experience negative side effects from consuming gluten. If youve tested negative for both celiac disease and a wheat allergy, you may be suffering from a non-celiac gluten sensitivity , which is estimated to be present in anywhere between 0.5% and 13% of the population.
Dont Miss: How Long Does Oral Herpes Last With Medication
How Common Are Migraines In Children
Migraine, also called an acute recurrent headache, occurs in about 3% of preschool children, 4% to 11% of elementary school-aged children, and 8% to 15% of high school-aged children. In early childhood and before puberty, migraine is more commonly seen in boys than girls.
Factors that can lead to a headache in your child include:
- Illness or infection
- Short-sightedness or needing glasses
- Food allergies or intolerances such as lactose intolerance or a wheat allergy
- Appendicitis, which is inflammation of the appendix
- Lead poisoning
- Problems with the intestines such as intussusception, where one part of the intestines slides into another part and causes a blockage
- Stress and anxiety
Stomach pain without other symptoms that goes away completely in less than three hours is usually not serious.
A specific illness known as a pediatric abdominal migraine can also lead to stomach ache. It is often accompanied by nausea and vomiting. While its called a migraine, it doesnt actually cause a headache. Abdominal migraines are one of the most common causes of abdominal pain in children.
You May Like: What Can I Take For Cramps In My Stomach
How Is Abdominal Migraine Similar To A Migraine
Abdominal migraine and migraine share similar triggers, such as stress, skipping meals, exposure to bright light, and poor sleep. Foods containing chocolate, caffeine, and monosodium glutamate are also triggers. Because there are so few studies on medications used to treat this condition, patients with the condition are often treated with medications shown to be effective on a migraine.
Physical Symptoms Of Anxiety
In fact anxiety is associated with a host of physical symptoms, including headaches, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, along with a racing heart, shakiness or sweating symptoms older people experience when theyre having a panic attack.
All these physical symptoms are related to the fight-or-flight response triggered when the brain detects danger. All of them have a purpose, notes , a clinical psychologist at the Child Mind Institute. When she talks to kids about anxious headaches or stomach aches, she explains the role of each. For instance, she says, your stomach hurts because your digestive system is shutting down to send blood to other areas of your body. You dont want to be digesting food at that moment because youre trying to either flee danger or fight danger.
Dr. Domingues assures children that these symptoms are not harmful theyre just their emergency system responding to a false alarm. But its important to understand that kids arent necessarily inventing their symptoms, and the danger may feel very real to them. Dont assume a child who spends a lot of time in the nurses office at school is doing it intentionally to get out of class. Their acute anxiety may be causing them pain.
Headaches and stomach aches related to anxiety are still real feelings, and we want to take them seriously, says Ms. Greenspan.
Also Check: How To Get Rid Of Really Bad Stomach Pain
Can You Only Get Genital Herpes On Your Genitals
HSV-1 and HSV-2, the viruses that cause genital herpes, can infect other parts of your body outside of your genitals. A rare but serious infection can occur when these viruses affect your brain or the lining surrounding it. This can cause headaches, confusion, nausea, fever, seizures, drowsiness, and, in severe cases, death. Other areas that HSV can infect include the nerves that control urinationwhich can cause urinary retention and leg weaknessand the rectum which can cause pain and diarrhea.
You May Like: How To Treat Herpes Simplex At Home