MIGRAINE HEADACHES

Q: I suffer with migraines and since falling pregnant 14 weeks ago I’ve had two migraine attacks. It’s been so bad that I’ve been stuck in bed from early morning until the evening. I’ve been prescribed medication from my gynae, but I often throw it up due to morning sickness or the migraines. A: Tina says: Many of the effective migraine medications cannot be taken during pregnancy, so try some of the following suggestions to help ease your discomfort. Although hormones play a role in headaches, they aren’t the only factors. There are other causes. Many are food-related, while most are stressrelated. Your work or your environment may cause stress or a physical problem such as tired, sore shoulders or back strain may be the culprit. Bad posture is a big culprit. Eye and ear strain can also bring on a headache, as can lack of sleep or constant worry. It’s a good idea to exclude high blood pressure, especially during pregnancy. Exercise keeps the muscles strong, changes bad posture, and give you an extra boost and a wonderful feeling of well-being. Exercise that involves stretching is very beneficial. Take time out to pamper yourself, and enjoy your pregnancy. Practice the relaxation techniques you will learn in your childbirth classes. Listen to music that makes you feel good. Check your mattress: is it too soft or too hard? Is your pillow at the correct height to support your neck properly? Be aware of and correct bad postural habits. Examine any physical sources of stress and strain causing muscular tension. For example, when you are driving, place a small support pillow in the small of your back and do not drop your shoulders too low or lift them too high (close to your ears). Develop a better body awareness all round. Remember to unclench your jaw. That can cause major tension of the face and neck as well. Massage is a wonderful stress reliever. The touch of a loved one provides much comfort and warmth and that alone can make a difference to how you are feeling. Avoid foods such as wine, cheese (any food containing tyramine), chocolate, caffeine and artificial sweeteners. Increase your calcium intake. This has a lot of advantages besides alleviating headaches. Dissolve 20 mag phos tablets in a little warm water and drink. This will help with your normal headaches as well as intense migraines.