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Abdominal Pain With a Migraine

Nausea and/or vomiting are common symptoms of a migraine headache. The level of abdominal pain varies from episode to episode and occurs with intense head pain. Theories suggest serotonin causes the head and stomach pains symptomatic of migraine headaches.

  1. What is serotonin

    • Serotonin is a neurotransmitter bound to certain receptors in cells throughout the body to send signals. It affects everything from the digestive system to the cardiovascular system.

    Serotonin and migraines

    • The neurotransmitter serotonin is believed to be a factor in migraines. When levels of serotonin drop in the brain, blood vessels dilate, which causes surrounding brain tissues to swell.

    Serotonin and the gut

    • Ninety-five percent of the serotonin in the body is made in the gut, according to leading neurogastroenterologist and author of "The Second Brain," Dr. Michael Gershon. How serotonin interacts in the brain and gut is unknown, but the stomach is covered in serotonin receptors to receive signals by binding to the neurotransmitter serotonin.

    Serotonin and nausea

    • For migraine sufferers, serotonin is important because the drop in serotonin that causes the head pain is also believed to cause nausea.

    Treatment

    • Migraine treatments, such as the Triptan class of drugs, target serotonin. Sumatriptan, for example, mimics serotonin in the body by binding to a particular serotonin receptor and constricting blood vessels. The drug binds to the same receptor in the stomach and eases the nausea as well as the migraine pain.

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