The Use of Behavioral Modalities for Headache During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Headache Characteristics and Their Influencing Factors Among Pregnant Women in Saudi Arabia: A Survey Study

Background Headache disorders, particularly migraines, significantly impact public health globally. The Global Burden of Disease (GBD) report highlights migraines as the second leading cause of disability worldwide, especially among women under 50. Hormonal changes, particularly estrogen, play a role in primary headaches like migraines, and this connection becomes important during pregnancy due to physiological changes.  Materials and methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted among pregnant women in Saudi Arabia to assess the characteristics of the headaches and explore their influencing factors. The study initiated the data collection process across various regions of Saudi Arabia from February 2023 to July 2023. Participants included pregnant women aged 18 or above residing in Saudi Arabia. Data were collected through an online self-administered survey with multiple-choice questions. Descriptive analysis and Pearson Chi-Square tests were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 25 (IBM Corp., Armonk, USA). Results A study surveyed 411 pregnant women to investigate the characteristics of headaches during pregnancy. The majority of participants were Saudi nationals 381 (92.7%) and 242 (58.9%) aged 18-30 and 357 (86.9%) resided in urban areas. Around 72 (17.5%) reported having chronic diseases. Results showed that 246 (59.9%) of pregnant women were diagnosed with headaches before pregnancy, with migraines being the most common type by 145 (35.3%). Headache frequency increased during pregnancy for 171 (41.6%) of participants, and the majority 275 (66.9%) experienced headaches lasting 0-3 hours. Nausea 219 (53.3%) and holo-cranial pain 112 (27.3%) were common accompanying symptoms. Conclusion This study provides valuable insights into the burden of headaches among pregnant women in Saudi Arabia, emphasizing the importance of improved healthcare practices and educational initiatives to effectively address this issue.

Determination of the Frequency of Migraine Attacks in Pregnant Women and the Ways They Cope with Headaches: A Cross-Sectional Study

One out of every five women of reproductive age suffers from migraine. Although headaches subside in most women during pregnancy, attacks continue and even worsen in some women. Pregnant women try to relieve pain with medication or non-pharmacological treatment methods. This descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the incidence of migraine attacks in pregnant women diagnosed with migraine and the ways they cope with headaches. The study included 191 pregnant women who were diagnosed with migraine in the pre-pregnancy period. McNemar analysis was performed to test the relationship between descriptive statistical methods and categorical variables when the data were analyzed. The mean gestational age of the participants was 28.31 ± 8.64 weeks, and their mean age at the onset of migraine was 20.74 ± 5.63 years. The comparison of the duration, frequency, and severity of headaches suffered before and during pregnancy demonstrated that there were statistical differences between them (p < 0.05). The frequency of using methods such as taking painkillers, resting in a dark room, and having cold application and massage to relieve headaches before pregnancy decreased statistically significantly during pregnancy (p < 0.05). As a result, the frequency and severity of migraines decrease during pregnancy. The tendency to resort to pharmacological or non-pharmacological methods used to relieve headaches decreases during pregnancy. Although migraine has many adverse effects on pregnancy, pregnant women do not demand satisfactory information from health professionals about migraine headaches during pregnancy.

Relation and Treatment Approach of Migraine in Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Headaches are one of the most frequent reasons people visit the neurology department. In 2019, headache issues ranked as the 14th most common cause of disability-adjusted life years globally. According to the International Headache Society, migraine is a particular type of headache that is unilateral, frequently throbbing, associated with vertigo, and sensitive to light, sound, and head movement. A migraine has four stages: premonitory, aura, headache, and postdrome. Migraine is the type of discomfort that most frequently complicates the pregnancy. A migraine is more common in women than in men. Migraines are influenced by increased levels of estrogen during pregnancy and a sharp decrease in those levels during puerperium. Untreated migraine can result in premature labor, hypertension, and low birth weight babies. Menstrual-related events occurred more frequently in migraine sufferers than in non-migraine sufferers. We have explained the relation of sex hormones that trigger migraine. We have also reviewed the therapeutic approach, such as pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches, for migraine in pregnancy and breastfeeding. A migraine episode during menstruation was slightly more severe and complicated than a headache that wasn't a migraine. Breastfeeding is not prohibited by migraines. The steady estrogen levels brought on by lactating women's lack of menstruation may function as a protective factor. In addition to any required drug therapy, nonpharmacological techniques should always be used as the first line of treatment. Preconception counseling is an essential part of providing headache patients with safe therapy during pregnancy. Supplemental estrogen should not be used by any women who have an aura or who are 35 years of age or older because there is inadequate proof to support any long-term adverse effects. Paracetamol is advised for use in acute therapy during pregnancy. Mothers who used acetaminophen during pregnancy are more likely to have children with hyperkinetic disorders and characteristics resembling attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Menstrual migraine can be treated in a variety of ways, including acute therapy, non-pharmacological therapy, and preconception counseling. Similar tactics are used to treat migraines during pregnancy, but it's important to take the medications' safety rating into account. Migraines and menstrual problems go together. A safeguarding element is a constant estrogen level during pregnancy and breastfeeding. The preferred method of treatment for migraine is non-pharmacological therapy, followed by prenatal counseling. Sumatriptan and acetaminophen are both effective treatments for transient migraine attacks that occur during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Prevention of Migraine

Migraine, a primary headache disorder is a chronic and complex neurological disease that affects millions of people worldwide, impacting their quality of life. It is one of the most common reasons why individuals seek the advice of their physician, and is one of the most common referrals seen in the offices of general neurologists and headache specialists. In the past decade, there has been robust research on not only the pathophysiology of migraine but in the efforts to treat and, importantly, prevent. The introduction of calcitonin gene related peptide antagonists (CGRP-A) have opened new doors for preventive treatment options. OnabotulinumtoxinA (BoNTA) has remained a staple in the treatment of chronic migraine with data emerging with combination therapy. Neurostimulation has offered additional nonpharmacologic approaches to migraine treatment. In addition to lifestyle and behavioral modifications, these have changed the landscape of migraine prevention.