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3.5 Minute

20-09-2024 Team Medicover woman-and-child

Written by Medicover Team and Medically Reviewed by Dr Afshaan Shaik, Gynecologist

Causes of Chronic Migraines During Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a meaningful phase in a woman’s life, but it often brings physical and emotional challenges. One such challenge is chronic migraines, which may become more frequent or severe during this time. These painful episodes can affect daily activities and take a toll on overall comfort and well-being.

Understanding the causes and knowing what to do if you have a headache during pregnancy is crucial for a healthier and more comfortable pregnancy.

Understanding Chronic Migraines

Chronic migraines are more than just regular headaches. They are severe, often debilitating and can last for hours or even days. During pregnancy, the changes in your body can trigger migraines more frequently.

Chronic migraines during pregnancy can be triggered by several factors. One of the main reasons is the shift in hormone levels, especially changes in estrogen. Stress, tiredness and changes in diet during pregnancy can also play a role in bringing on migraine episodes.

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Hormonal Changes

Hormonal changes can have a strong impact on how you sleep and how much energy you have. When hormones like thyroid, cortisol, or insulin are out of balance, it can lead to constant tiredness or sleeping too much. Conditions such as hypothyroidism, adrenal issues, and diabetes can throw off your body’s normal rhythm. Noticing these changes early is important for getting the right diagnosis and feeling better.

Fluctuating Hormone Levels

Hormonal changes are one of the main reasons for chronic migraines during pregnancy. The levels of hormones like estrogen and progesterone fluctuate significantly during this period. These fluctuations can affect the brain's blood vessels and contribute to migraine attacks.

Estrogen's Role

Estrogen plays a crucial role in regulating the menstrual cycle, and its levels can impact migraine frequency. During pregnancy, estrogen levels rise, which can either improve or worsen migraines, depending on how your body reacts to these hormonal changes.

Stress and Anxiety

Stress and anxiety often interfere with how well and how long you sleep. Ongoing worry can make it hard to fall asleep, cause you to wake up often or even sleep too much to avoid emotional strain. This can lead to constant tiredness and affect your daily life. Calming techniques and seeking help can improve both sleep and mental well-being.

Emotional Stress

Pregnancy can be a stressful time, filled with anticipation and worry about the future. Emotional stress is a common trigger for migraines. Managing stress through relaxation techniques, meditation or prenatal yoga can help reduce the frequency and intensity of migraines.

Physical Stress

Pregnancy brings many physical changes that can be tough on the body. Extra weight, shifts in posture, and general discomfort often lead to ongoing headaches. Getting enough rest and looking after your body can help ease some of that strain and make you feel more comfortable.

Dietary Factors

Your diet directly affects your sleep and energy levels. Eating too much sugar, drinking caffeine late in the day, or relying on processed foods can disturb your sleep and leave you feeling drained or cause you to sleep longer than usual.

On the flip side, eating a well-balanced diet with plenty of vitamins, minerals and staying hydrated helps your body relax and sleep more soundly. Poor eating habits not only disrupt sleep but can also lead to sluggishness and affect your overall health and mood. Making better food choices is a simple step toward feeling more refreshed each day.

Skipping Meals

Skipping meals or not eating on time can lead to low blood sugar levels, which can trigger migraines. It's essential to maintain a balanced diet and eat small, frequent meals to keep your blood sugar levels stable.

Certain Foods

Some foods are known migraine triggers, such as chocolate, caffeine, processed meats and artificial sweeteners. Keeping a food diary can help identify which foods might be causing your migraines and allow you to avoid them.

Sleep Disturbances

Sleep disturbances, such as frequent awakenings, difficulty falling asleep or restless sleep, can lead to poor rest and excessive daytime sleepiness. Conditions like insomnia, sleep apnea and restless legs syndrome often disrupt the sleep cycle. Addressing these issues early is important to improve sleep quality, boost energy levels and prevent long-term health complications.

Insomnia

Sleep disturbances are common during pregnancy and insomnia can be a significant trigger for migraines. Finding ways to improve your sleep quality such as maintaining a regular sleep schedule and creating a comfortable sleeping environment, can help manage migraines.

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea, a condition where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep, can also be a cause of chronic migraines. If you suspect you have sleep apnea, consult your doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Environmental Triggers

Environmental triggers like noise, light, room temperature and bedding comfort can greatly impact sleep quality. Exposure to blue light from screens, loud surroundings or an uncomfortable mattress can disrupt restful sleep and lead to excessive tiredness. Creating a calm, dark and cool sleep environment is essential for improving sleep patterns and preventing oversleeping or daytime fatigue.

Bright Lights and Loud Noises

Pregnancy can make you more sensitive to environmental factors like bright lights and loud noises, which are common migraine triggers. Wearing sunglasses, using earplugs and avoiding noisy environments can help minimise these triggers.

Strong Smells

Certain smells, such as strong perfumes or cooking odours, can also trigger migraines. Identifying and avoiding these smells can reduce the frequency of your headaches.

Dehydration

When your body doesn’t get enough fluids, it can leave you feeling tired and sleepy. Dehydration lowers blood volume and slows down how oxygen reaches your brain and muscles. As a result, you may feel sluggish and end up sleeping more than usual. Drinking enough water each day helps you stay alert, focused, and sleep better at night.

Importance of Hydration

Dehydration is a common cause of migraines. During pregnancy, your body needs more fluids to support both you and your growing baby. Ensuring you drink enough water throughout the day can help prevent dehydration and reduce the occurrence of migraines.

Signs of Dehydration

Watch out for signs of dehydration like dark urine, dry mouth and dizziness. If you notice these symptoms, increase your fluid intake and consult your healthcare provider if necessary.

Types of Headaches in Pregnancy

Not all headaches during pregnancy are migraines. It is important to understand the difference between a headache in pregnancy and a migraine in pregnancy, as the treatment and concern levels can vary significantly.

Tension Headaches: These are the most common and are usually mild to moderate. They may result from stress, fatigue or dehydration.
Sinus Headaches: Caused by sinus congestion, they are typically felt in the forehead, cheeks or around the eyes.
Migraines: More severe and often accompanied by nausea, visual disturbances or sensitivity to light and sound. Migraine in pregnancy can last longer and may require medical attention.

Understanding the type of headache during pregnancy can help determine the best approach to management and when to seek help.

Migraine in Pregnancy: Treatment Options

Managing migraine in pregnancy requires extra caution. Many standard migraine medications are not recommended due to potential risks to the baby. Here are some safer treatment alternatives:

Acetaminophen: Generally safe, but it is important to take it only under a doctor’s guidance.
Magnesium Supplements: May help prevent migraines, especially in the second and third trimesters.
Biofeedback and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): These therapies help manage stress and reduce the intensity of migraines.
Prenatal Massage Therapy: Gentle massages relieve muscle tension and promote relaxation.

Always discuss any treatment for migraine in pregnancy treatment with your doctor to ensure it's safe for both you and your baby.

Migraines During Pregnancy: When to Worry

Although migraines are generally not harmful, certain symptoms can indicate a more serious issue. If you experience any of the following signs with migraines during pregnancy, it may warrant immediate medical evaluation:

Sudden onset of the worst headache you've ever had
Headaches accompanied by high blood pressure
Neurological symptoms like confusion, slurred speech or fainting
No prior history of migraines and this is your first episode.

These could be signs of conditions like preeclampsia, which requires urgent medical attention. Always consult your doctor if you are unsure about migraines during pregnancy, when to worry.

Managing Chronic Migraines During Pregnancy

Dealing with chronic migraines during pregnancy calls for a thoughtful and gentle approach. Try simple remedies like getting enough rest, staying well-hydrated, managing stress and keeping a regular sleep routine. It also helps to steer clear of known triggers like specific foods or strong smells. Before taking any medication, check with your doctor to make sure it’s safe for you and your baby.

What to Do If You Have Excessive Headaches During Pregnancy

If you're experiencing frequent or intense headaches during pregnancy, it's important not to ignore them. Start by identifying potential triggers such as stress, diet, or dehydration. Practicing stress management, staying hydrated, and following a regular sleep schedule are effective first steps. Always consult your doctor before starting any treatment, especially during pregnancy.

Medication Options

While some medications are safe to use during pregnancy, others are not. Always consult your doctor before taking any medication, including over-the-counter pain relievers. They can help you find the safest and most effective options.

Natural Remedies

Several natural remedies can help manage migraines during pregnancy such as:

Hydration: Drinking plenty of water to stay hydrated.
Rest: Getting adequate rest and sleep.
Cold Compress: Apply a cold compress to your forehead.
Massage: Gentle head and neck massages can relieve tension.
Aromatherapy: Using essential oils like lavender or peppermint.

Lifestyle Changes

Making certain lifestyle changes can also help manage chronic migraines during pregnancy:

Diet: Maintaining a balanced diet and avoiding known migraine triggers.
Exercise: Engaging in regular, gentle exercise like walking or prenatal yoga.
Stress Management: Practising relaxation techniques such as meditation or deep breathing exercises.
Routine: Keeping a regular daily routine, including sleep and meal times.

When to Seek Medical Help

Migraines are fairly common during pregnancy, but it is important to recognize when they might be a sign of something more serious. Get in touch with your doctor right away if you notice any of the following symptoms.

Severe Headache: A sudden, severe headache that doesn't go away.
Vision Changes: Blurred vision, seeing spots, or other vision changes.
High Blood Pressure: Signs of high blood pressure include swelling, severe headache, and vision problems.
Frequent Migraines: Migraines that occur frequently and interfere with your daily life.

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Conclusion

Chronic migraines during pregnancy can be challenging but understanding their causes and finding effective ways to manage them can make a significant difference. By addressing hormonal changes, managing stress, maintaining a healthy diet, ensuring adequate sleep and avoiding environmental triggers, you can reduce the frequency and intensity of migraines.

If you’re unsure what to do if you have a headache during pregnancy, or you're dealing with excessive headaches during pregnancy, consult your doctor for safe and effective solutions.

Always consult your healthcare provider for personalised advice and treatment options to ensure a healthy and comfortable pregnancy.