Dealing with headaches during Pregnancy

 Headaches are common during pregnancy. In this post we cover causes & treatments for headaches during pregnancy.

What causes headaches during pregnancy?
There are several reasons why pregnant women get headaches, they are:

1. Changes in Hormones:
Pregnant women's headaches have been linked to hormone changes. It affects how one feels pain. They also effect blood flow and neurotransmitter levels.

2. Anxiety and Stress:
Pregnant ladies worry about their unborn child's health as well as their own during their pregnancy. Stress and anxiety during pregnancy can increase discomfort and appear as tension headaches or migraines.

3. Dehydration:
During pregnancy, dehydration can increase pre-existing conditions and result in headaches.

4. Insufficient sleep:
Pregnant women experience difficulty in sleeping because of physical discomfort, hormonal changes, and anxiety. Both new and existing headache can result from sleep deprivation.

5. Avoiding Coffee:
It's up to pregnant women to decide whether to limit or stay away from coffee entirely. As completely cutting back on caffeine can result in headaches and other issues.

6. Congestion in the Sinus:
Nasal congestion and sinus pressure happens because of hormonal changes & increased blood flow during pregnancy. Sinus headaches causes pain and pressure in the area around the eyes, cheekbones, and forehead. Furthermore, it can get worse with changes in air pressure or posture.

How to treat Headaches during Pregnancy?

1. Drink plenty of water:
Hydration will reduce headache frequency and intensity. If it's hot outside or you exercise, make sure you have 8 glasses of water or more every day.

2. Use relaxation methods:
Stress-reduction techniques like deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, yoga, and meditation can help in reducing symptoms of headaches.

3. Get Enough Sleep:
Make sure that you are taking sufficient sleep every night. Make your bedroom is comfortable and limit the amount of time you spend on screens before bed to improve the quality of your sleep. And practice relaxing techniques.

4. Keep Your Diet Balanced:
To aid in blood sugar regulation and prevent headaches caused by starvation. Consume a variety of foods high in nutrients and well-balanced meals on a regular basis. Lack of magnesium can cause headaches. Eating foods that have high magnesium content, like leafy greens, seeds, groundnuts and whole grains.

5. Use cold compresses:
It helps in reducing pain, limit swelling, and reduce headache symptoms. Apply ice pack or cold compress to your forehead and temples.

6. Maintain Proper Posture:
Tension headaches can result from poor posture, which overloads the muscles in the neck and shoulders. Sit up straight and release any tightness in your shoulders to adopt good posture.

7. Apply Acupressure:
The LI4 acupressure point can be lightly pressured to reduce headache symptoms. It can be found between the thumb and the index finger.

Conclusion

There are many ways to improve general wellness and reduce headaches during pregnancy. This involves staying hydrated, getting enough sleep, and visiting the doctor as needed. Visit HERE