Pregnancy

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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Heartburn and Indigestion during pregnancy – causes and treatment

Many women have heartburn for the first time during pregnancy, particularly during the second and third trimesters. This is usually not uncomfortable or painful. gastro esophageal reflux is often called “acid reflux” or “heartburn.” But this condition has nothing to do with the heart!

Indigestion is common during pregnancy and may occur with the heartburn. Also known as “dyspepsia,” indigestion is another name for an upset stomach. You know you have indigestion if you feel full, bloated or gassy.

Causes:
Heartburn occurs when food is digested in the stomach, which contains acid, is pushed into the esophagus (the tube between the mouth and stomach). This causes a burning sensation behind the breastbone or a burning sensation that starts in the stomach and seems to rise. You can also have a bitter taste in the mouth or a feeling that vomit is rising in the throat.
- Usually, the food moves through the esophagus between the mouth and stomach.
- When you are not eating, a circular valve around the lower esophagus closes the connection between the esophagus and stomach.
- This valve keeps stomach acid to rise.
- When you swallow, the valve relaxes to allow food and liquid to flow through.
- If the valve relaxes when not eating, stomach acids can flow back into the esophagus, causing irritation and burning sensation.

During pregnancy, the stomach acids leak easily into esophagus as hormones relax the muscles in your digestive tract, including the valve in the esophagus. During the second and third trimester, heartburn can be worse as the growing uterus presses the stomach.

Pregnancy hormones also slower:
- The muscles that propel food from the esophagus to the stomach
- The muscles contract to digest food in the stomach, which slows digestion
- These changes can lead to indigestion, which can make you feel very full, bloated or gassy.

Several things can also cause heartburn and indigestion, like:
- Oily or greasy foods
- The chocolate drinks, coffee and other caffeine-containing
- Onion, garlic or spicy foods
- Certain medications
- Eating a big meal
- Eating too fast
- Lying down after eating

Treatment:
- Eat smaller portions.
* Eat five or six small meals a day instead of eating three large meals.
* This can help the body digest food better.

- Drink less while eating.
* Avoid drinking large amounts of fluids with meals.
* Drink liquids between meals.

- Avoid foods that trigger heartburn.
* Avoid spicy, fatty or oily, chocolate and caffeine.
* These foods may cause heartburn.

- Avoid bending over or lying down right after eating.
* Sit down, do chores, or take a walk until the body has had a chance to digest.
* Make sure you eat the last meal of the day several hours before bedtime.
* If you need to lie down, prop the upper body with some pillows.

- Do not gain too much weight.
* Increase a reasonable amount of weight.
* Stay within the guidelines of the health care health sets.
* Excess pounds put extra pressure on the abdomen, which increases the chances of getting heartburn.

- Wear comfortable clothes.
* Tight clothing can increase the pressure on the stomach and abdomen.
* Wear loose clothing to feel more comfortable.

- Raise the head when you lie down.
* Proposal of the head to a few inches with pillows.
* If possible, keep the foot of the bed below the head of the bed.
* If you need an antacid to relieve symptoms, talk to the doctor to choose the right one for you.

If the symptoms continue to persist then take the help of doctor immediately.

Itching during Pregnancy – causes and treatment

About 20 percent of all pregnant women have some kind of generalized skin itching. Hormones and stretching of the skin (especially your growing belly) are probably to blame for their discomfort.
About two thirds of all pregnant women have red and itchy palms and soles, a condition that experts think is caused by increased estrogen. In general, it disappears immediately after the baby is born.

Causes:
- The most common cause of itching during pregnancy is the growth of the uterus to accommodate the new baby. As a result, the skin is stretched and itchy. The skin also itches when dry. Xerosis is the term used to describe the condition of dry skin.
- Some women develop skin rashes during pregnancy. The hormones produced during pregnancy act on the body, which is already overheated. The skin rubs against itself or against clothing, and because of the sweat, the skin gets wet which eventually causes the rash. Rashes are also due to prickly heat. These are a bit irritating and are more common in skin folds and wrinkles.
- Some gestures develop a rare disease called scrapie. It results from the formation of small bumps on the body. It mostly occurs in the legs, hands, feet and arms. Also it does not cause any harm to you and your baby, but it is certainly irritating.
- Some pregnant women develop a new condition known as gestational pemphigoid. This condition is characterized by itchy rashes hives. Hives forms lesions that look like blisters. This condition indicates some complications that can lead to fetal growth retardation and preterm delivery. It usually occurs during the third quarter, but there are cases that occurred in early pregnancy.
- Intrahepatic cholestatic pruritus is another condition that occurs during pregnancy. Approximately 2% of pregnant women suffer from cholestasis. It results due to pooling of bile salts, a liver problem. The bile does not flow normally in the small ducts of the liver and gets accumulated in the body. This causes excessive itching during pregnancy. Sometimes the itching is so severe that women end up scratching the skin.

Treatment:
Itchy skin can be treated by trying the following:-

- Apply moisturizer with aloe Vera or calamine. The aloe Vera is anti-bacterial and anti-fungal and nourishes and protects skin. Calamine lotion can also be effective.
- Use a mild soap or shower gel, it will not dry your skin. Dry skin is often itchy. The skin is slightly acidic in nature and use of an alkaline soap can dry the skin out. Most soaps are alkaline, some are neutral pH and fewer still have the same acidity of your skin. Try a neutral pH soap.
- Massage your body with coconut oil or olive oil before a bath. Avoid using a brush or sponge body until the skin stops itching.
- Boil a few neem leaves in a cup of water and add this mixture to your bath water. Some women feel that it relieves itching.
- Wear loose cotton clothing that allows your skin to breathe, especially during the summer months.
- Rash or prickly heat can also cause itching. Try not to avoid going out in the heat of the day, if you can.
- Eat a diet rich in vitamin C, vitamin E, beta carotene and zinc, and drink enough water to keep your skin soft and hydrated.
- Use a soft clean cloth to gently rub the affected areas. Do not use nails, which can draw blood and infect the skin.
- Sometimes, detergent residues on clothing can make you itch for drying out your skin. Choose a mild detergent and rinse your clothes thoroughly.