Headache in pregnancy

introduction

Pregnancy headaches are a common problem. Many women are particularly affected in the first three months of pregnancy. After that, the incidence of headaches decreases significantly.
Basically, the symptoms can be caused by various causes, which are mostly harmless in nature. In rare cases, however, serious causes can also be hidden behind the pain, which is why a medical evaluation is recommended in the case of long-lasting and severe headaches.

causes

The causes of headaches in pregnancy are diverse. Many women complain of such complaints, especially in the first three months of pregnancy. This may be due to the fact that the whole Hormonal balance the woman surrounds and the Cycle has to adapt to the new requirements.

Pregnancy is stressful for the body. Too little sleep and tiredness, stress, tension and too little drinking can lead to headaches. In addition, headaches also often come in the context of Colds before, for example if the paranasal sinuses or frontal sinuses are also affected.

Women before pregnancy regularly coffee If you have been drinking and suddenly stop using caffeine at the beginning of your pregnancy, this can also lead to headaches.

A more serious cause of headaches in pregnancy is that pre-eclampsia. This is a Hypertension in pregnant womenassociated with an increased excretion of protein in the urine. Affected women often complain of headaches, dizziness, visual disturbances, nausea and vomiting. Preeclampsia can develop into eclampsia, which can include seizures and loss of consciousness.

therapy

Pregnancy headaches can be treated differently. In principle, caution should be exercised with all kinds of medication during pregnancy, as many can damage the unborn child. However, there are some ways that pregnant women can address their pain without harming the child.

These articles might also interest you: Physiotherapy for headache during pregnancy, exercises for headache during pregnancy

Paracetamol

Paracetamol in pregnancy is considered the pain reliever of choice. It can be taken throughout the pregnancy without harming the child.

Ibuprofen

Also Ibuprofen may be taken during pregnancy, but only during first and second third. Ibuprofen should no longer be used in the last trimester of pregnancy.

Read on here: Ibuprofen in pregnancy

aspirin

Aspirin® may as well as ibuprofen only in the first and second third be taken during pregnancy, preferably should care however completely waived become. It delays that Blood clotting and can therefore encourage bleeding. For this reason, it should no longer be used in the last trimester of pregnancy.

Globules and Homeopathy in Pregnancy

Many pregnant women look to headache treatment alternative healing methods around. Pregnancy headaches can also be treated homeopathically. Various preparations can be used for this, which can be taken in the form of globules or drops. Appropriate means could for example Potassium sulfuricum or Nux vomica be. It is best to seek advice on this subject from an experienced homeopath instead of taking the preparations as self-medication.

Home remedies

Many home remedies have been shown to be effective in treating headaches during pregnancy. In principle, pregnant women should first try to get their symptoms under control with these measures before taking medication.

One way is to get one cool rag on forehead or to put on the neck. At Tension in the neck or back area warmth conducive to solving this. A massage and a warm bath can also help.

It is also considered helpful to take a few drops for headaches mint essential oil to rub on the temples. This has had good effects in studies.

Overall, the pregnant woman should also pay attention to certain things in her everyday life, for example sufficient sleep, daily physical exercise, sufficient amounts of water to drink and a healthy, balanced diet.
Measures for Stress reduction are also important for managing headaches, such as yoga for pregnant women.Some women also benefit from acupuncture.

Diagnosis

If headaches are severe or persistent during pregnancy, it is always advisable to consult a doctor. In this way, serious causes for the complaints can be excluded. Since headaches are not uncommon, especially in the first three months of pregnancy usually no further diagnostics necessary.
The prerequisite is that the other vital parameters of the pregnant woman (blood pressure, pulse, temperature) as well as the urine are normal. The doctor can also do a neurological exam to check the function of the cranial nerves and a Meningitis to exclude. In very unclear cases, imaging procedures of the head can also be performed (skull CT / MRI).

forecast

In general, the prognosis for headaches during pregnancy is good. Most women only experience headaches in the first three months of pregnancy. In the second and third trimesters, headaches are a much rarer phenomenon.
The complaints caused by the use of the above are very common Getting a grip on home remedies. If necessary, painkillers can also be used, which then usually prove to be sufficiently strong.

prophylaxis

Headache in pregnancy cannot always be avoided. During this time, the body goes through major changes and first has to get used to the new conditions and the change in hormonal balance.
However, the pregnant woman can prevent headaches to a certain extent by giving enough is sleeping (at least 6-8 hours a day), sufficient drinks (2-3l per day), yourself physically activegoing for a walk, for example, and relieving stressors in your everyday life. In addition, it should look balanced and eat healthy. It is better to eat several small meals throughout the day than to consume very large meals at once. These general rules of conduct can improve the well-being of the pregnant woman and prevent headaches.

Symptoms

Headaches during pregnancy can vary in severity and occur in different parts of the head. In the first three months of pregnancy there are often headaches that are permanent, rather dull and pulling and occur on both sides of the head. With that they are most likely to agree Tension headache to compare.

Migraine headache are significantly less common during pregnancy. Women who were already taking before pregnancy migraine have suffered in pregnancy often no problems whatsoever more - especially if the migraine headache was previously dependent on the monthly cycle.