Posts Tagged ‘Low Blood Sugar’

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.

| More

If you found this post informative, why not sign up to receive new posts ?
It's simple, and free, and you can even opt to receive by email:
Subscribe in a reader
Subscribe to Good Health Tips by Email

Normal Blood Sugar Levels in Diabetes

Fasting : 80-120 mg/dl
Pre-meal : Less than 130 mg/dl
Post-meal(PP) : Less than 160 mg/dl
A diabetic should strive to maintain his/her blood sugar level as close to normal level as possible.

Low Blood Sugar
Insulin or pills help to control diabetes but can sometimes cause low blood sugar, especially during/after exercise if you :
- Skip a meal.
- Eat late meals.
- Do not eat enough.
- Take too much medication.

If you have low blood sugar, you may feel shaky or dizzy, sweaty irritable, hungry or tired. In such conditions, it is important to eat or drink something sweet right away. Consult your doctor immediately.

High Blood Sugar
In general, high blood sugar is defined as plasma glucose above 126 mg/dl fasting and above 200 mg/dl after meals. If your blood sugar remains high for long periods of time, it can cause significant short term and long term complications as mentioned. It is therefore important to keep your blood sugar under control by creating a balance between lifestyle modifications and medications such as pills or insulin.