Lifestyle Desk: Pregnancy is a special and sensitive period of every woman’s life. During this period, many hormonal and physical changes take place in the body, whose effect is also visible on health. Due to these changes, many women have to face the problem of headache during pregnancy. In most cases, this happens due to common reasons like hormonal fluctuations, not getting enough sleep, stress, dehydration, being hungry for a long time or fatigue. In such a situation, adequate rest, balanced diet and drinking adequate amount of water can provide relief.
However, if the headache is frequent, severe or persists for a long time, it should not be ignored as a normal problem. According to experts, persistent headache can in some cases be a sign of a serious condition like preeclampsia, which can pose a risk to both the mother and the baby in the womb.
Preeclampsia is a serious health problem associated with pregnancy, which usually develops after the 20th week. In this, the blood pressure of the pregnant woman increases and some organs of the body, especially the kidney and liver, may be affected. If not identified and treated timely, this condition can cause serious complications for both mother and child.
The exact cause of preeclampsia is not completely clear, but it is believed that conditions such as abnormal development of the placenta, abnormal development of blood vessels, genetic factors, pre-existing high blood pressure, diabetes, kidney disease or pregnancy for the first time can increase the risk. The risk may also be higher in pregnancy of twins or more than one child.
If the following symptoms appear along with headache during pregnancy, then you should immediately contact the doctor:
1-Persistent or very severe headache
2-Blurred vision or glare in front of the eyes
3-Sudden excessive swelling in the face, hands or feet
4-Severe pain in the upper abdomen, especially on the right side
5-Nausea or vomiting
6- Difficulty in breathing
7-Sudden weight gain
8- Continuous increase in blood pressure
Ignoring these symptoms can lead to serious consequences.
It is not always possible to completely prevent preeclampsia, but it can be detected early with regular prenatal checkups. During pregnancy, it is very important to get blood pressure checked regularly, eat a balanced and nutritious diet, drink enough water, take medicines as per doctor’s advice and report any unusual symptoms immediately.
If the headache during pregnancy does not go away even after rest or normal measures, the pain continues to increase or is accompanied by symptoms like blurred vision, severe swelling, abdominal pain or high blood pressure, then contact a doctor without delay. With timely treatment, the serious risks of preeclampsia can be reduced to a great extent.
It is important to pay attention to every change during pregnancy. Understanding the difference between a normal headache and a sign of a serious problem is extremely important for the safety of both mother and baby. Therefore, instead of taking any unusual symptoms lightly, the safest step is to seek expert advice.
