A 13-year-old boy from Maharashtra suffered from recurring episodes of severe abdominal pain and vomiting for over three years, despite numerous doctor visits and normal test results. His symptoms, which occurred every 6-8 weeks, included throbbing headaches, severe abdominal pain, and vomiting, leaving him incapacitated for 1-2 days. The boy’s case was eventually diagnosed as abdominal migraine, a condition characterized by chronic stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting, often triggered by stress, poor sleep, and exposure to bright light.
Abdominal migraine is a difficult-to-diagnose condition that affects 1-4% of school-going children, with girls being more prone to it than boys. The cause of abdominal migraine remains unknown, and there is no specific blood test or scan to diagnose it. Dr. Sudhir Kumar, a neurologist at Apollo Hospitals, highlighted the significance of abdominal migraine and the need for awareness among parents and healthcare professionals.
The boy’s diagnosis was made by Dr. Kumar after a thorough examination of his symptoms, family history, and episodic patterns. The treatment involved medications to target migraine symptoms, a proper sleep routine, stress management, and a balanced diet. Dr. Kumar also advised the boy’s parents to maintain a symptoms diary to track his episodes and triggers.
After treatment, the boy experienced remarkable growth and improvement, with his attacks stopping, and he was able to return to school and resume his favorite activity, playing cricket. Dr. Kumar advises parents and guardians to seek medical advice if their child experiences recurrent abdominal pain with persistent vomiting, even if scans are normal. He also emphasizes the importance of proper management of abdominal migraine, including medications, lifestyle changes, and stress management.
Dr. Kumar’s advice for parents and guardians includes:
* Seeking medical advice if the child experiences recurrent abdominal pain with persistent vomiting
* Not assuming that normal scans imply no underlying condition
* Maintaining a symptoms diary to track episodes and triggers
* Implementing lifestyle changes such as proper sleep routine, stress management, and a balanced diet
* Avoiding known dietary triggers
Overall, the case highlights the importance of awareness and proper diagnosis of abdominal migraine in children, and the need for parents and healthcare professionals to work together to manage the condition and improve the child’s quality of life.