Posts Tagged ‘Dehydration’

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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If chronic constipation is your problem..here is a solution.Some myths and facts about constipation.

Virtually everyone has dealt with an occasional bout of constipation. Sometimes, short term use of laxative such as milk of magnesia may be needed to get things moving. Some simple tips can be eating adequate fiber, avoiding dehydration and heeding the call of nature may be enough to help keep you on track after your constipation passes. But it is not always like this…For some people constipation is a complex and persistent problem requiring individualized treatment from a doctor.

- It is not correct to think that if you are not having a bowel movement every day, you are constipated. Constipation is a symptom that is generally defined as infrequent or difficult passage of stool. Normal frequency of bowel movements in healthy adults can range from three bowel movements a day to three a week. Signs and symptoms of constipation also include straining, passing lumpy or hard stools, a sensation of incomplete evacuation or a sensation of blockage.

- The myth that the body absorbs toxins from stool if someone is constipated for too long. Some people unnecessarily take laxatives and others try colon cleansing to remove supposed toxins. These habits are not actually helpful and may actually be harmful.

- It is not always that constipation occurs when you don not eat a healthy diet. Actually, a low fiber diet may contribute to constipation. Other causes may be:
=> constipation occurs as a complication of another disease or condition or as a side effect of a drug or supplement.
=> pelvic floor dysfunction in women which is lack of coordination of the complex muscular actions that allow you to have bowel movement.

- It is wrong to say that diagnosis of constipation does not require much more than a description of bowel habits. It can be a part of your diagnostic procedure. The doctor may also perform, a physical exam, discuss medication, x-rays, blood, urine and stool test.

- It is a wrong assumption that the doctor should not prescribe a laxative for long term use. Doctor can prescribe laxative for some form of chronic constipation. Side effects with long term use of laxative may occur so it should only be done under the supervision of doctor. If laxatives are important, doctor first prescribes osmotic laxatives like milk of magnesia, polyethylene glcol or sorbitol. Stimulant laxatives are used when osmotic laxatives are not effective.

Water yourself….the health benefits of drinking water.

Thirst is what makes you drink, regulated by the amount of salt or sodium in your blood. Drinking too much of water is seldom a concern. It is safe to drink about 2.5 liters of water in a day. It should not probably exceed 4.8 liters. A problem called water intoxication can occur in marathon runners and other athletes, people working for long hours in heat.

Signs of Dehydration

Mild Dehydration
- Light headedness
- Thirst and dry mouth
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Flushed skin
In this condition, you need rest, fluids and a cool room.
Moderate Dehydration
- Rapid heartbeat
- Dizziness
- Low blood pressure
- Severe headaches and weakness
- Lack of energy and concentration
- Small quantities of urine
- Reduced skin elasticity
In this condition, you need to replace electrolytes with electro l or O.R.S. and rest in a cool a room.
Severe Dehydration
- Muscle spasm
- Swollen tongue
- Poor blood circulation
- Increased weakness
- Fainting
- No urine output
- Confusion and delirium
In this condition, you need to call a doctor and have an intravenous drip.

With 8 to 10 glasses of water in a day, you can add many more benefits than just quenching your thirst.
- Boost your energy level: The more water you drink, the less glycogen which your muscles use for energy, you spend. Water makes you less tired.
- Keep the skin glowing: Sun sucks out moisture leaving you dry, taunt, wrinkled. Less water means larger pores, acne, breakouts. Water will not only replenish lost liquid but keep your skin glowing and clear.
- Keep your kidneys stone free: By drinking more water, you dilute your pee and nip salt crystals that burgeon in stones. Adding lime juice to it is even a better idea.
- Sidestep cold: Lack of water dries out your mucous producing tissues which trap viruses. Drinking water will help you to get rid of that phlegm producing cough.
- Unclog your plumbing: water keep you from getting constipated, because the food that you eat, specially fiber and roughage, works better when it soaks up fluid.
- Take the sting out of painkillers: Chances of developing acidity after eating antibiotics is reduced with the intake of water.
- Help brain to do its job: Leaking sweat can impair your concentration and reaction time and effect your ability to make decisions.
- Prevent jet lag: The dry air in a plane can pull the water out of you. You breathe harder because of lower levels of oxygen. An extra glass before a flight and a glass every hour you are in the clouds keeps you flying fit.
- Keep you slim: A glass of water will tank you up before your next meal, and help you to lay off the lays. It makes you feel full if you drink it with your meal. That’s why you can actually lose weight if you drink more zero calorie water.