Abdominal epilepsy: Causes, symptoms, treatment & more Health ConditionsHealth ConditionsAlzheimer's & DementiaAnxietyArthritisAsthma & AllergiesBreast CancerCancerCardiovascular HealthCOVID-19Dermatology & SkincareDiabetesEnvironment & SustainabilityExercise & FitnessEye HealthHeadache & MigraineHealth EquityHIV & AIDSHuman BiologyInflammatory Bowel DiseaseLeukemiaLGBTQIA+Men's HealthMental HealthMultiple Sclerosis (MS)NutritionParkinson's DiseasePsoriasisSexual HealthWomen's HealthDiscoverNewsLatest NewsOriginal SeriesMedical MythsHonest NutritionThrough My EyesNew Normal HealthPodcastsHow to understand chronic painWhat is behind vaccine hesitancy?The amazing story of hepatitis C, from discovery to cureNew directions in dementia researchCan psychedelics rewire a depressed, anxious brain?Why climate change matters for human healthToolsGeneral HealthDrugs A-ZHealth HubsHealth ToolsBMI Calculators and ChartsBlood Pressure Chart: Ranges and GuideBreast Cancer: Self-Examination GuideSleep CalculatorHealth ProductsAffordable Therapy OptionsBlood Pressure MonitorsDiabetic SuppliesFitness TrackersHome GymsGreen Cleaning ProductsHow to Shop for CBDQuizzesRA Myths vs FactsType 2 Diabetes: Managing Blood SugarAnkylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or FictionConnectAbout Medical News TodayWho We AreOur Editorial ProcessContent IntegrityConscious LanguageNewslettersSign UpFollow UsMedical News TodayHealth ConditionsDiscoverToolsConnectSubscribe What to know about abdominal epilepsyMedically reviewed by Seunggu Han, M.D. — By Joanne Lewsley on March 31, 2022Abdominal epilepsy (AE) is a rare form of epilepsy causing seizures, nausea, and vomiting. Because the condition is so uncommon, experts do not know what causes AE. AE occurs most often in children. However, it can also affect adults. The condition is defined by recurrent abdominal seizures, which can cause pain, nausea, confusion, and more. Read more to learn about what abdominal seizures are, what causes AE, and how the condition is treated. What are abdominal seizures Share on PinterestJimena Roquero/StocksyAbdominal seizures, or gastric seizures, describe a sensation of pain in the abdomen. The pain may be sharp or feel like a strong cramp. It may accompany nausea or vomiting. Some people also experience neurological symptoms such as confusion and lethargy. Causes of abdominal epilepsy Because AE is so rare, there is little research investigating the condition, so experts do not know exactly what causes it. However, they do know the cause of epilepsy: disruptions in the brain’s electrical rhythms. A burst of electrical energy in the brain can briefly affect a person’s consciousness, body function, or sensations. The sensation of abdominal pain, therefore, could be a result of this brain disruption. Who abdominal epilepsy affects Abdominal seizures are most common in children. They can appear in adults with epilepsy too. However, this is rare. However, some research has shown that doctors occasionally misdiagnose adults with AE. Instead of diagnosing them with AE, they may diagnose them with other physical or psychological disorders. This highlights the need to raise awareness of the condition and improve diagnosis in adults. Learn more about epilepsy in children. Symptoms of abdominal epilepsy Recurrent abdominal seizures define AE. While these can be different for different people, some symptoms include: episodes of sharp abdominal pain for no obvious reasonnausea or vomitingconfusionloss of consciousnessmigraine or headacheconvulsions Diagnosing abdominal epilepsy It is difficult to diagnose AE, and it can take longer than other forms of epilepsy. This is because the primary symptom of abdominal seizures is abdominal pain, a very common symptom of many conditions. AE is very rare, making it an unlikely cause of abdominal pain in most people, so it is often overlooked. Usually, a doctor will need to rule out other possible causes before diagnosing a person with AE. They may run tests including:CT or MRI scan of the brain or abdomenblood testsurine testsabdominal ultrasoundendoscopic evaluation (using a small camera to see inside the digestive tract) There are four key criteria a doctor will look for to diagnose AE. They are:unexplained gastrointestinal seizuressymptoms of central nervous system problemsan abnormal electroencephalogram (EEG)an improvement in symptoms after treatment with anti-convulsive drugs Treatment of abdominal epilepsy If a doctor diagnoses a person with AE, they will treat it similarly to how they would treat any other form of epilepsy. This may include a combination of medication and lifestyle changes. In some cases, a person may need surgery. Medication The first line of treatment for epilepsy is antiepileptic medications (AEDs). These treat the symptoms of epilepsy. However, they do not cure the condition. They work by reducing or stopping the brain from having bursts of electrical activity. According to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS), up to 70% of people with epilepsy are able to control their seizures with AEDs. Medications for treating epilepsy commonly include:levetiracetamvalproic acidcarbamazepinelamotriginepregabalin Learn more about medications for epilepsy. Diet A ketogenic diet high in fat and low in carbohydrates can help reduce seizures in people with epilepsy. More than 50% of people who try a ketogenic diet see an improvement in seizure control, and 1 in 10 stop having seizures altogether. More research is exploring the positive effects of a modified Atkins diet and a low-glycemic index treatment. Learn more about ketogenic diets for epilepsy. Outlook Some people with AE may need to take medication for the rest of their lives to control seizures. Others may find that they can eventually come off medication. Avoiding triggers, such as stress, may help. People taking medication for AE should not reduce or stop medication without contacting a doctor. Summary Abdominal epilepsy is a rare form of epilepsy that is more common in children than adults. However, research shows that doctors may misdiagnose adults with other physical or psychological conditions. AE can cause abdominal pain, nausea, confusion, and loss of consciousness. Treatment for AE involves medication, diet, or surgery if medication fails to control seizures. Last medically reviewed on March 31, 2022EpilepsyNeurology / NeurosciencePediatrics / Children's Health 5 sourcescollapsedMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.Epilepsy. (n.d.).https://www.aans.org/en/Patients/Neurosurgical-Conditions-and-Treatments/EpilepsyHarshe, D. G., et al. (2016). Abdominal epilepsy in an adult: A diagnosis often missed.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5121772/Lo Bianco, G., et al. (2020). abdominal epilepsy, a rare cause of abdominal pain: The need to investigate thoroughly as opposed to making rapid attributions of psychogenic causality.https://www.dovepress.com/abdominal-epilepsy-a-rare-cause-of-abdominal-pain-the-need-to-investig-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-JPRMpondo, B. B. T., et al. (2016). Abdominal epilepsy, an uncommon cause of chronic and recurrent abdominal pain: a case report.https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ccr3.711The epilepsies and seizures: Hope through research. (2020).https://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/patient-caregiver-education/hope-through-research/epilepsies-and-seizures-hope-throughFEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Seunggu Han, M.D. — By Joanne Lewsley on March 31, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? 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