Headaches

Headaches during Pregnancy – Causes and Treatment

It is common to have headaches during pregnancy, especially in the first quarter and if you have always been susceptible to them, pregnancy can worsen the problem. Headaches during pregnancy are even more painful because their treatment options are more limited. Some women who regularly suffer from chronic headaches, such as migraines, may have fewer episodes of them. Other women who rarely experience any headaches can have them all of a sudden.. And others, who are usually victims of pre-pregnancy, chronic headaches, can have even more.

Causes:
Many women experience headaches during pregnancy, especially in the first and third trimesters. The hormonal changes that affect estrogen levels, along with an increase in blood volume and circulation are the most likely causes.
Headaches during pregnancy are probably caused by hormones and changes in how blood circulates. If you have given to caffeine, it can also make the head pounds. Other possible reasons include fatigue, nasal congestion, high blood pressure, stress and hunger. Headaches can also be caused by excessive sun exposure and dehydration.
Migraines are different. Some women who experience migraines often find they have fewer problems with them during pregnancy. Others find that these painful episodes becoming more frequent and intense when they are pregnant.

Causes of more frequent headaches during pregnancy include:
- Stress, Fatigue
- Low blood sugar
- Dehydration
- Sleep disorders
- Sinus congestion
- Removal of caffeine

Treatment:
Most headache medications such as aspirin and ibuprofen are not recommended for pregnant women. Paracetamol, however, is considered safe for occasional use.
There are few things that can also be tried to cure the headache:

- A cold towel
Apply a warm compress around the eyes and nose for sinus headaches and a cold compress on the base of the neck for tension headaches.
- Treat the cold
Cod and stuffy nose can give you a headache. Try to ease the pain with a steam inhalation with one or two drops of peppermint oil added.
- Beat the heat
Sun exposure, use an umbrella or dupatta to cover the head andd sunglasses to protect the eyes from glare. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated too.
- Eat little and often
Blood sugar is a common cause of headache. Try eating small, frequent meals. If you are moving, keep some snacks (cookies, fruit, and whole wheat crackers) in the bag.
- Get a massage
Treat yourself and o for a professional massage and shampoo. Massage works especially well for tension headaches, which are based in the muscles of the neck, shoulders and back. If using essential oils, tell the provider you are pregnant. Some essential oils are best avoided during pregnancy.
- Undergo testing
Sometimes pregnancy can affect the eyes, causing headaches. A trip to the ophthalmologist can help.
- Alternative treatments
Experts believe that therapy color green calm of mind and is particularly effective for stress headaches. You can also try yoga and breathing exercises as Anulom viloma eliminate stress.

Some doctors approve taking acetaminophen (Tylenol), but should not take any pain reliever for headache pain, including herbal products, without first consulting a health professional.

While most headaches during pregnancy are harmless, others can be a sign of a more serious problem. In the second or third trimester, headaches may be a sign of preeclampsia, a serious condition that includes high blood pressure.

If you have a migraine for the first time during pregnancy, or if you have a headache that feels unlike any you’ve experienced before, call your healthcare provider to make sure it is not a sign of more serious problems.

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Natural remedies for treating a headache

What is a headache?

A headache is a pain felt by a person in the head or upper neck. A headache is also known as cephalalgia. In 2007, the international headache society classified headache as primary headache, secondary headache, cranial neuralgias or facial headache. The most common is tension headache which comes under primary headache. Tension headache is due to stress, anxiety, depression, bad posture etc. Headache can be cured through various medicines available in the market but it can also be cured through some natural remedies. These natural remedies are highle effective, inexpensive and have no side effect on human body.

Check your diet: Every body reacts differently to different foods or the ingredients in the food item. Check your diet and see whether any food item reacts negatively with your body.

Exercise regularly: Its not easy to do during the times of headache but it a good remedy because it increases blood circulation and allows more oxygen to reach the brain. It should be done even when you are not suffering from headache.

Prevent dehydration: Dehydration is also a cause of headache so prevent yourself from it and drink lots of water. Many a times, the headache we feel goes away when we drink enough water.

Take supplements: Take supplement which have both magnesium and calcium in it and if you are not taking supplement then drink orange juice.

Massage: A deep massage relievs you from stress and tension which are the main causes of headache so massage done on face an head is a fast remedial treatment for headache.

Using home products:

• Apple: Remove upper rind and the inner hard portion of ripe apple. Take this with salt on empty stomach for about a week.
• Lemon: Squeeze lemon and mix this juice in a cup of tea and this should be taken by the patient.
• Heena: Heena gives a cooling effect when a person is suffering from headache due to the heat of the sun.
• Cinnamon:  It provides a relief when a head ache is caused by exposure to cold air. Make a paste of this spice and mix with apply and then apply on the temples and forehead.
• Ice: Apply ice pack to the affected area and try placing it on your temples, forehead and back of your neck.

Hot foot bath: Fill the bucket or tub with hot water at the temperature of around 40 to 45 degree C . The patient should dip his foot  in this hot water for around 15 to 20 mins for about 3 to 4 weeks.

Yogasanas: Various yogic kriyas like jalneti and kunjal, pranayamas, asanas and shavasanas are helpful in treating headache.

Small nap: A small nap is very helpful in tension headache. If a person is suffering from tension headache he must go to sleep for few hours.

Pressure points: Apply pressure for 2 minutes to the area where the bones of  index figure and thumb meets. The area is bit fleshy. This is a very good remedy for treating head ache but is underrated.

Hands-On Therapies : Massage and Spinal Manipulation

Hands-on therapies work towards more efficient, relaxed movement and proper alignment of the body in order for your body to function properly. Rather than relying on the manipulation of energy, hands-on, or manual, therapies work by applying pysical forces to the body. Hands-on therapies include:
MASSAGE
Research has proven that massage is effective especially for chronic lower back and neck pain. It is defined as hands-on manipulation of soft tissues through touch, movement or pressure, massage therapy ranges from gentle stroking and kneading to deeper, manual techniques. Positive effects that have resulted from massage therapy include easing muscle tension, increasing range of motion, improving blood and lymphatic circulation, lessening depression and anxiety, enhancing sleep and, in some cases, lessening dependence on medication. Massage is often used for tension and anxiety, neuromuscular conditions such as neck or back pain, muscle soreness, fibromyalgia.
Sessions may vary depending on the massage technique used. A massage therapist begins by taking your medical history and discussing health concerns and any goals that you have. Therapy may be done partially or fully unclothed with a towel or sheet covering you. Often, oils or lotions are used to avoid uncomfortable friction on your skin.
Some complications like discomfort for a day or two especially with deep tissue massage. Massage therapy is generally not recommended on areas where you have had recent surgery or fractures or where you have received radiation therapy. Massage therapy is not recommended at an open wound or open skin infection or if you are having acute signs of infection, such as fever, chills, or gastrointestinal or respiratory symptoms, and cation is advised if you have osteoporosis.

SPINAL MANIPULATION
During spinal manipulation, the practitioner applies a controlled amount of force to a spinal joint, moving it outside of its usual range of motion. Alternatively, a rhythmic force is applied to improve joint motion in the neck, spine and pelvis. The practitioner may use a special table to better help perform adjustments. Evidences show that spinal manipulation can help to cure low back pain, tension headaches and neck pain.
Spinal manipulation is generally considered safe though it is not for everyone. Common side effects are discomfort in the treated area, headache and tiredness. Generally, though these problems clear up within one or two days. Spinal manipulation is most often used for lower back pain, other pain conditions, overall well-being.