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The Beyond Pain Foundation

Migraine types we support

Migraine guide

Abdominal migraine

Abdominal migraine causes repeated attacks of stomach pain rather than headache. It's best known in children, but it can carry on into adult life or start in adults, and it's often misdiagnosed.

Attacks last
2 to 72 hours
Children affected
About 4 in 100
Have or had migraine headaches too
About 7 in 10
Between attacks
Completely well

This guide is general information, not medical advice. Medicines and treatments must be prescribed or recommended for you by a doctor or pharmacist. We do not give doses here.

Related guides: Cyclical vomiting syndrome, Migraine without aura.

What it is

Abdominal migraine is a form of migraine in which the main symptom is moderate to severe pain in the middle of the stomach, with sickness. There's usually no headache, and the person is well between attacks.

Most children grow out of it, but many go on to have migraine headaches later. Some adults continue to have abdominal attacks.

Symptoms

  • Dull or aching pain around the tummy button
  • Loss of appetite, feeling sick or being sick
  • Looking pale
  • Sensitivity to light and movement

Triggers are similar to other migraine: poor sleep, travel, hunger, bright light and stress.

Diagnosis

Doctors need to rule out other causes of stomach pain first. It is often confused with other gut problems, and some people have had tests or even operations they didn't need. A diary of attacks helps.

Treatment

Regular meals and sleep, rest in a quiet, dark room and simple painkillers help many people. Anti-sickness medicine can help. A doctor may suggest a triptan for attacks, or a preventive medicine if attacks are frequent.

When to get urgent help

Call 999 if you have

  • very severe stomach pain that comes on suddenly
  • vomiting blood or a swollen, hard tummy

Call NHS 111 if

  • you can't keep fluids down
  • the pain is different from your usual attacks
  • an attack lasts more than 3 days

See your GP if

  • you keep having attacks of stomach pain
  • attacks stop you working

Work and your workspace

Migraine can count as a disability under the Equality Act 2010 (the Disability Discrimination Act in Northern Ireland) if it has a substantial, long-term effect on your everyday life. Conditions that come and go still count, and the law looks at how you would be without treatment. If it applies, your employer must make reasonable adjustments.

Adjustments that often help

  • Working from home during attacks
  • Flexible hours and rest breaks
  • Easy access to toilets and a place to rest
  • Time off for appointments

A migraine-friendly workspace

  • A chair with good lumbar and neck support
  • A desk big enough to put your screen at arm's length
  • Screen raised so the top is at eye level
  • A flicker-free monitor with an anti-glare or blue-light filter
  • Lighting without flicker or glare, and blinds to control daylight

Access to Work can pay towards equipment and support. Acas and Citizens Advice give free advice on your rights.

How The Beyond Pain Foundation can help

If NHS waits are too long, or the help you need is not available to you on the NHS, we may be able to fund:

  • A private specialist appointment for a clearer diagnosis
  • Home-working equipment so you can work flexibly around attacks
  • Travel to specialist appointments

Every award depends on your situation and the funds we have that month. A letter from your doctor, a headache diary and a written quote all help your application.

Apply for funding Check the requirements

Support and sources

The Migraine Trust

Information and support service

Information on every type of migraine, a free information and support service, and advice on treatment and work.

migrainetrust.org

National Migraine Centre

Charity headache clinic

Specialist appointments in person and online, including routine appointments for a voluntary donation, plus free factsheets.

nationalmigrainecentre.org.uk
Sources for this guide

Written in our own words from the sources above. Last reviewed: October 2026. Figures can differ between sources; where they do, we give the range.