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Why pregnancy often has a bad headache, nausea and sometimes vomiting

Headache. How much trouble and a friend to all lies in this phrase. The state, visiting all of us time and time again for life. Bringing sorrow and loss of joy. Let's look at what it includes and how to deal with it.

Headache in pregnancy

General information and the definition of cephalgia

so, this concept accommodates all types of pain and discomfort in the arch of the skull (anatomical structure, located from the brow to the back of the head bumps). Also denoted by terms such as craneage and cephalalgia.

In the study of headaches the first thing she will learn is what type of it can be attributed. There are two main types – primary and secondary cranially. Primary are pain are not a symptom of any other disease, there is an independent pathology. It is worth noting that the symptoms of pain in the head is leading more than 40 diseases. As for the secondary, they can only complement a number of complaints and the characteristics of the underlying disease.

According to statistics, the problem of cephalgia, the world is facing about 200 people per 1,000 of the population, different age groups, occupations and incomes. But special attention in today's article I want to give this important population group as pregnant women.

During gestation, a woman can face many problems, as this period of life is characterized by not only a happy anticipation of the baby, but also the emergence of some undesirable symptoms, including these include and headache. It suffers every fifth expectant mother, from which we can conclude that in this situation women make up the lion's share of data General statistics. The most probable period of occurrence of pain is from 6 to 9 months of pregnancy, and age, susceptible to disease, most often from 35 to 40 years old (late pregnancy).

Classification based on reasons

we Start again with the fact that during pregnancy headaches can be primary, secondary, and associated with the actual current condition of the expectant mother.

Primary cephalgia in pregnant womenSecondary tsefalgii in pregnant womenTsefalgii in pregnancy
Migraine. Can be combined with nausea, vomitingAssociated with neck injuries and skullCranially on the background of low blood pressure (especially in the first trimester of pregnancy is early morning sickness)
Pain of muscle tension, mostly in the cervical spine and around the area of hair growth on headOn the background of the decrease of sugar level in the bloodHeadaches due to high pressure (third trimester of pregnancy, during gestosis)
Cluster pain. Occurs in connection with a change in hormonal levels women. Most often occurs when increased levels of serotonin and histamine in the bloodstreamCranially amid symptom of intoxication in various inflammatory diseasesTsefalgii on the hormonal changes. Most often when the level of progesterones and estrogens that affect vascular tone
Pain in lesions of the vascular wall in allergic reactions
Tsefalgii due to intake of drugs or their withdrawal (Ausonia)
Tsefalgii on the background of violations of homeostasis (metabolism)
Infectious headaches
Neuralgia (inflammatory changes in the nerve fibers, often with cervical osteochondrosis)

I would like to clarify that preeclampsia is sometimes called late toxicosis. Under reduced pressure, besides being a headache, there may be General weakness and dizziness, and at elevated – nausea, vomiting, tachycardia (heart palpitations), pain in the eyes.

The Most common cranially during pregnancy:

  • migraines
  • chronic migraine
  • pain muscle tension that bears periodic nature;
  • Ausonia headaches.
migraine attackChronic migraineCephalalgia muscle tensionAboutusa cephalalgia (in patients receiving medications or their withdrawal)
Throbbing, recurring attacks of pain pretty highintensityThrobbing pain, the intensity is reduced compared with migraine attacksMonotonous pain, stagehouse – compressive nature, not of strong intensitymild pain coupled with attacks similar to migraine (during the permanent administration of drugs against tsefalgii)
mainly temporal and frontal region, often in one half of the headmainly temporal and frontal region, often in one half of the headLocalize with two sides, temporal, parietal and occipital region, may be diffuseApplies to the entire cranial vault
From half an hour up to three daysmore than 14 days per month during the trimester of pregnancyminutes From half an hour up to seven daysFrom 15 days prior to the trimester of pregnancy
inherited, occurs under severe stress and physical exertion. There are triggers of an attackAlso can be inherited, appears after prolonged stress, the compliance regime of the day and with increased fatigabilityWhen strong prolonged stress that leads to tension of muscles of the cranial vault, or just during a long preservation of the same position (driving)the Reason – reception of abolition of drugs
Eat the attack is preceded by a decline in mood and well-being, such phenomenon is called a migraine accompanied by aura, and if not, then without auraAccompanied by nausea and vomitingNo nausea and vomiting

Irregular headaches of severe intensity may negatively affect the health of the unborn child, but that's not a reason, that every time you go to the doctor. This fact may be simply a symptom of preeclampsia (toxemia). By the way, what it should be for a doctor to look at next. That is why experts have developed a list of situations when immediate medical assistance is required.

danger Signals in migraine

what doctors should contact

First of all – the neurologist, the headaches his specialty. You can also go to a therapist (if pain is associated with severe stress), reflexologist (if the problem is the conduction of impulses along nerve fibers), as well as to the therapist. The latter can carry out diagnostic activities to learn the nature of pain and to relieve it or refer you to the above personnel.

what doctors treat headaches when pregnant

Diagnosis of cranially in pregnancy

  1. In a pregnant woman must be registered at least five attacks that meet the criteria specified in paragraphs 2-9.
  2. Duration. If untreated, the attack lasts the amount of time specified in table 2 depending on its type.
  3. Intensity (average, low, high).
  4. type of pain (pressing, stabbing, squeezing, throbbing).
  5. Localization.
  6. Gain nature pain during physical activity.
  7. an Accompanying symptom: nausea and/or vomiting, photophobia and/or phonophobia.
  8. Link the symptoms with any other disease.
  9. signs of an aura before the migraine attack (remarkable only for migraine).

Questionnaire to diagnose headache

Instrumental

If the attending physician suspicion of serious pathology pregnant can be assigned all kinds of research, up to CT and MRI. In this case we are talking about the principle of “least harm”. Additional diagnostic methods include:

  1. Consultation of ophthalmologist, neurologist, ENT doctor.
  2. ultrasound.
  3. x-ray, MRI, CT – strictly on the evidence.
  4. Laboratory tests.

What to do if head already hurts and you want to get rid of it.

non-pharmacological methods of combating cranially

Interventions aimed at relieving pain with mild:

  1. the First thing you can do is take a cool shower. Cold water helps expand blood vessels of the brain and leads to normalization of blood pressure. If a cool shower is not feasible, do not despair, you can always make a compress, using cold water. The effect will be absolutely the same.
  2. a Good method is the oxygenation of blood. Pregnant women may be due to a simple oxygen starvation. To prevent it is to regularly ventilate the dwelling or workplace. And if starvation still occurred, should immediately open the Windows or vents. If a woman dresses tight, to ease the pressure on the body. If you have a tight fitting collar, it should immediately be undone. Then take a deep breath, nose and slowly exhale through the mouth.
  3. you Can prepare a pregnant sweet tea and let her drink it. This will help in the case of reduced blood sugar, resulting in headaches, weakness and poor health.
  4. Good action will massage the neck area. It will increase the blood flow to the head and normalizepressure, helping to get rid of that creepy feeling when you headache.
  5. Normalization of sleep and wakefulness. To pregnant women is not recommended to overwork and neglect the order of the day.
  6. Prevention of stressful situations, as stress is often the cause of cephalalgias.
  7. Regular walks. They contribute to the enrichment of the body of the expectant mother oxygen, and also raise motor activity the whole body, promoting good blood circulation.
  8. Proper nutrition and weight control, since obesity and a lack of weight, adversely affects the growing body of a baby. To products that cause headache include nuts, legumes, meats, chocolate, citrus fruits, bananas, drinks containing caffeine, so you should try to limit their use.

Aromatherapy

for anybody not a secret that aromatic oils have a positive effect on our wellbeing, health and mood, at the same time have a minimal amount of negative impacts. Therefore, pregnant women are advised to use them for inhalations and compresses to treat cephalgia. For inhalation, you need a special aromatic lamp, which you can buy in any pharmacy, and essential oil. As you can see, much cost is required. But not all oils can be used while carrying a child, so I advise you to either read the instructions or to consult a specialist before use. Aromatherapy is contraindicated if you are allergic to plant components and bronchial asthma.

Reflexology and acupuncture

Performed by a specially trained doctor – reflexologist, who are individually suited to every woman. For the production of needles requires special knowledge, so the houses to conduct such procedures should not be. I want to emphasize that acupuncture can relieve pain almost any nature, and to eliminate different causes, what is a good alternative to drugs.

Homeopathy

Use this technique to relieve pain, of course, can and should be. But after consulting with a professional homeopath, as the requests of the body of each individual expectant mother.

Osteopathy

A Method based on a slight shift of body tissues under the influence of light touch of the hands of a doctor of osteopathy. Normalizes the motor activity and the functioning of muscles and blood vessels of the neck and of the cranial vault with a proper management of the patient with a specialist.

Swimming and water aerobics

If the expectant mother is a fan of active lifestyle and sports, water aerobics and swimming will be an excellent alternative to fitness and gym. This kind of sport will help to keep the muscles in good shape without harm to the fetus, and to be in good spirits. Breath holding under water has a positive effect on the heart and blood vessels of the brain, so do not neglect swimming to avoid appearances of headaches from the limitations of physical activity.

As you can see, these tools prevent cranially implying different mechanisms of their development, so before you apply one of the methods, find out resulting in your pain.

headache relief pregnant

Drug therapy

headache pregnant will help to get rid of drugs such as paracetamol and ibuprofen. These two drugs are the safest for the health of the future baby. The following drugs possible migraine: domperidone, propranolol, verapamil and metoclopramide. We must remember that the use of any medication requires approval of the attending physician.

drug of choiceParacetamolIbuprofenMetoclopra
Mead
a Group of drugs and provided actionRelieves pain of various origins, is a drug anti-inflammatory and antipyretic actionsRelieves pain of various origins, is a drug anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activity (NSAIDs)an Antiemetic. Is in addition to the analgesic when severe vomiting
Method of applicationAt 0.35-0.5 g 3-4 times a day orally (max dose 4 grams)400 mg 3 times a day orally (maximum dose – 2.4 g)5-10 mg 3 times daily (max. dose – 60 mg) before meal
Form of issueTablets, syrup, rectal suppositoriesTabletTablet
Contraindicationshypersensitivity to the active substance of the drug, liver failure, inflammatory disease of the colon using suppositoriesErosions of the gastrointestinal tract, impaired hematopoiesis, a disease of the optic nerve, pronounced renal dysfunction and liver, hanged sensitivity to the active substancePregnant
o (second and third trimesters,
only for health reasons), lactation, bleeding of the gastrointestinal tract
Side effectsNausea, pain in epigastricregion, renal colic, allergic reactions, anxiety, changes in blood count (pancytopeniaeating Disorders, allergic reactions, disturbance of visionDry mouth, indigestion, increased fatigue, galactorrhea
Trade names"Panadol", "Fabrice", "tylenol", "Dolinks" "Bonefin", "Boven", "Busan", "Nurofen"Reglan"
Drug of choiceDomperidoneVerapamilPropranolol
a Group of drugs and provided actionApplies when vomitingBlocker of calcium channels. Lowers blood pressure and at the same time possesses antiarrhythmic and antianginal actionBeta-blocker. Lowers blood pressure, increases the tone of the bronchial tree, enhances the contractile ability of the uterus
Method of application10 mg 3-4 times a day before mealsOn 40-80 mg 3 to 4 times a day0.04 g 2-3 times a day
release FormPills, suppositories, granules, solution for ingestionTabletTablet
Contraindicationsthe Second and third trimester of pregnancy (only for health reasons), gastrointestinal bleeding, hypersensitivity to the drug componentsGod-awful reception in the presence of diseases of cardiovascular system (bradycardia, various blockadesthe Second and third trimester of pregnancy (only for health reasons), diabetes mellitus ketoatsidoticheskaya type, bradycardia, heart block of various origins
Adverse actionsDry mouth, indigestion, an allergic reaction to the drug componentsHypotension, dyspepsia, allergic reactions, peripheral edemaDyspepsia, fatigue, bronchospasm, bradycardia, allergic reactions
Trade names"Motilium", "Ausili", etc."Isoptin", "Phenoptin", etc."Inderal", "Cardinal", "Obsidian", etc.

In spite of the huge number of drugs that can relieve the pain, still recommend you to pay attention to the prevention measures outlined above. If the pain has already appeared, we must do everything to prevent the chronization. Remember that you are responsible not only for their health but for the health of the unborn child!

Sources:

  1. Bolsinov A. O., Gusev, V. A., Neurological complications of pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period. Ryazan, 1994.- 105 C.
  2. Matveev S. V. Neurology. A course of lectures. Medical University named after. Mechnikov. St. Petersburg, 2013.- 175 p.
  3. Migraines in women. G. R. Tabeeva, Yu. E. Azimova. The magazine “doctor” 09/10.
  4. Modern approaches to the treatment of migraine. A. B. Danilov. The magazine “doctor” 08/08.