Headaches during pregnancy
Of the many wonders of the human body, pregnancy ranks at the top of the list. It is only natural to be worried about potential dangers to both the mother and the fetus during pregnancy. Thus, it is helpful to be knowledgeable about the causes and solutions to minor pains and inconveniences.
One of the most common said pains is that of headaches. Though they are usually minor and shouldn’t cause much worry, they can range in terms of pain level, and period of persistence.
To begin with, headaches during pregnancy can be brought about by numerous triggers. One is the increased volume of blood in order to sustain the fetus.
It is a completely normal reaction for headaches to be induced as a result of blood rushing to the brain. Additionally, pregnancy headaches can be caused by the sudden lack of sleep that goes hand in hand with pregnancy.
Headaches During Pregnancy
The resultant headache can range from a dull pain to a throbbing ache, both of which can be remedied at home. The lack of sleep disturbs the body’s circadian rhythm which in turn affects both the fetus and the mother. Disruption of the fetal circadian rhythm can lead to an increase in the risk of serious health problems such as cardiovascular disease and obesity. Therefore, if the mother is experiencing a lack of sleep regularly, and headaches, in turn, it would be best to first attempt to improve her sleep schedule.
Tips To Prevent Headache
This can be done by means of adjusting mattress and pillow softness. As well as adjusting room lighting and temperature to optimum levels. These small changes should allow for the mother to attain better quality sleep. Hence, readjusting her and the fetus’s circadian rhythms to normal.
Furthermore, if the mother had previously been a consistent coffee drinker pre-pregnancy, withdrawal from caffeine can induce headaches. As it is commonly known that withdrawal from substances usually results in headaches. It is not a headache that cannot be cured with a few easily attainable foods/medicines (mentioned below).
More often than not, there is no cause for extreme concern when experiencing a headache. However, if the headaches persist for a long period of time – such as more than 24 hours – or if additional symptoms of dizziness, drowsiness and blurred vision are brought about, it is highly advisable to consult your doctor for further medical advice.
However, to remedy these headaches, the most effective medicine would be paracetamol tablets at the recommended doses found on the packaging. Even after taking the advised doses and the headaches persist, you shouldn’t increase the dosage of your own accord. At this point, you should most definitely reach out to your doctor or a gynecologist for the best medical advice. Some alternatives to drug use include neck and scalp massages to distribute blood volume and the use of hot/cold compresses to numb or lessen the pain.
Read here if you want to know about the Do’s and Don’ts during pregnancy.
To learn more about pregnancy and to schedule a consultation contact HMC Medical Center, Motor City, Dubai.
