Did you know that according to the International Classification of Headache Disorders there are more than 150 different types of headaches? Well, it may be fair to say that there probably are just as many causes of a headache, as there are different types – your noisy neighbors for one. On a serious note though, in this blog, we are briefly looking at what you need to know about constant headaches during pregnancy.
Causes of Headaches during Pregnancy
Headaches during pregnancy can have various causes. Perhaps the most obvious and common cause is the hormonal changes taking place in your body. Other common causes of headaches during pregnancy include:
- Increased blood volume and circulation
- Stress
- Lack of sleep/exhaustion
- Dehydration
- A drop in blood sugar
- Dietary changes
- Caffeine withdrawal
- Vision changes as a result of the pregnancy hormones
Types of Headache Experienced during Pregnancy
- Tension
- Sinus Headache
- Cluster Headache
- Migraine
Constant Headache and Nausea
Most women will testify to the fact that pregnancy and nausea/morning sickness goes hand-in-hand. There is a school of thought that proposes the morning sickness is caused by Human Chorionic Gonadotropin hormone (hCG), which increases in pregnancy, and triggers a center in the brain that is responsible for eliciting a woozy feeling, leading to headache and nausea, closely followed by vomiting. Luckily, for most, the symptoms gradually diminish between 12 and 16 weeks into your pregnancy.
Constant Headaches and Dizziness
As a general rule, most headaches during pregnancy are not a major concern. When they become unbearable though, they can be a sign of a serious condition or problem, such as:
- Asthma,
- Anemia,
- Cold,
- Flu,
- HELLP syndrome (hemolysis elevated liver enzymes and low platelet count),
- Migraine,
- Preeclampsia,
- Sinusitis,
- Toxoplasmosis, and
- Varicella (chicken pox).
Why The Head And Neck Centers Of Excellence?
A constant headache during pregnancy may be an indication that there could be a danger to you and your baby, and should, therefore, be taken very seriously. The Head and Neck Centers of Excellence employ a gentle, natural, and safe approach to help relieve musculoskeletal , cervical, and tension headaches. Contact us today for more information.
