Medically termed as cephalgia headache is a condition in which a person may experience mild to severe pain in the head and sometimes neck or upper back pain may also be interpreted as a headache.

Headache & its common causes:

A person can have a headache from a wide variety of causes, ranging from eyestrain, sinusitis and tension to life-threatening conditions such as encephalitis, meningitis, cerebral aneurysms and brain tumors. The headache occuring in combination with a head injury, its cause is usually quite obvious & traceable. However in many cases the causes on the root of origin are more uncertain. The most common form of headache is a tension headache which is caused by stress or anxiety while some other causes may be dehydration & caffiene withdrawal etc.

Dealing With Pregnancy Headaches

Headaches are one of the most frequent discomforts and complaints that come with pregnancy. Though a headache may occur at anytime during one's pregnancy but they tend to be most common during the first and third trimesters. It is common for all ladies to feel anxiety about occurrences like headaches during the most important phase of their lives. Thus they can learn all they want to about pregnancy here.

What Causes Headaches during Pregnancy?

If one experiences an increase in headaches during the first trimester, it is believed to have resulted by the flow of hormones along with an increase in the blood volume circulating throughout your body. These headaches are usually tension headaches and may get further aggravated because of stress, poor posture or changes in vision. Other causes of headaches during pregnancy may involve one or more of the following.

a. Lack of sleep
b. Low blood sugar
c. Dehydration
d. Caffeine withdrawal
e. Stress (too many changes)

Quiet contradictory to this, women who have a tendency for migraine headaches may find that they experience fewer migraines during pregnancy, though it is possible for some women to encounter the same amount or even more. It is important to talk to your doctor about any medications that you may take for headaches during your pregnancy.
Headaches during the third trimester are more related to posture and tension due to carrying of extra weight. Headaches during the third trimester may also be caused by a condition called pre-eclampsia that is high blood pressure during pregnancy.

Treating Headaches during Pregnancy

The best way to deal with any headache is to avoid it altogether. Avoiding tension headaches is easiest if one practices good health tips:

a. Keeping good posture (especially during the third trimester)
b. Taking plenty of rest and relaxation
c. Daily mild exercise
d. Eating well-balanced meals

If one is not able to prevent a headache from starting, then one must take steps do away with them. It is important that during pregnancy, one tries to relieve one's headache by natural means as far as possible. Pain relief medications like aspirin and ibuprofen are not recommended during pregnancy, though acetaminophen (Tylenol) may be considered safe only if taken occasionally.

Natural ways to cure a headache:

When the headaches first starts, applying an ice pack can provide quick relief. The ice pack can be placed on the top of the head or on the forehead. Tension headaches result from stress and reduced blood flow to the brain, causing the neck muscles to tighten. To soothe the neck muscles apply heat. Applying a heating pad or taking a hot bath can provide relief. A massage can relieve stress and relax the muscles in the neck and other parts of the body. With the fingertips, massage the scalp and temples, using a circular motion. Studies have shown that Feverfew and Ginkgo reduce migraines and vascular headaches. The leaves of the Feverfew contain parthenolide, which inhibits the production of substances that dilate blood vessels and cause inflammation. Ginkgo also relieves ringing in the ear, and dizziness often associated with headaches. Feverfew and Ginkgo are available at health food stores.