Abdominal migraines are not headaches. They cause stomachache and often occur as a reaction to the same triggers as migraine headaches. Abdominal migraines are painful and cause nausea, cramps, and often vomiting.
Abdominal migraines tend to run in families. About 2 in 100 children experience abdominal migraines; they are rare in adults. More girls get them than boys. Kids who have abdominal migraines typically get migraine headaches when they get older.
The exact cause of abdominal migraines is unknown. One theory points to changes in the levels of two compounds the body makes, histamine and serotonin, as the culprits. Experts think that being upset or worried can affect their levels.
Foods such as chocolate, Chinese food with monosodium glutamate (MSG), and processed meats with nitrites might trigger abdominal migraines.
Swallowing a lot of air may also trigger them or set off similar stomach symptoms. It can cause bloating and trouble eating.