What causes headaches after childbirth?

In fact, giving birth is an act that causes great harm to women's bodies, so most women will find that their bodies have more or less abnormal problems after giving birth, and their physical fitness is much worse than before. Many women experience unexplained headaches after giving birth, and this pain can sometimes be unbearable. So what factors are related to headaches after giving birth?

Why do you have headaches after giving birth?

From the perspective of Western medicine: Women’s hormone secretion levels will change after childbirth, and this change may cause problems such as headaches. In addition, if epidural labor analgesia is used to assist in natural delivery, or if a spinal puncture is performed during childbirth, it may also cause more severe headaches.

From the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine: excessive blood loss during delivery, incomplete discharge of lochia, and postpartum cold air entering the body can all cause headaches.

1. Blood deficiency: A large amount of blood is lost during childbirth, resulting in insufficient Qi and blood, insufficient blood supply to the brain, and loss of oxygen to the brain, causing headaches.

2. Blood stasis: The slow discharge of lochia after delivery causes blood stasis to rush upward, blood circulation is not smooth, and blood stasis blocks the brain vessels.

3. Cold evil: Improper postpartum care and failure to keep warm will cause cold air to enter the body, and headaches will be caused by cold evil invading the brain.

What are the symptoms of postpartum headache?

From the perspective of Western medicine, the symptoms of postpartum headache are mostly self-perceived by the mother, mostly manifested as dizziness and headache, and some feelings are very severe. From the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, headaches caused by different reasons have different symptoms.

1. Blood deficiency: caused by insufficient blood and qi, causing headaches, dizziness, sallow face, palpitations, physical fatigue and other discomforts. The tongue coating is light and thin, and the pulse is weak.

2. Blood stasis: After childbirth, there is a pain in the head like being split or pricked by a needle, lochia is not discharged smoothly, and the lower abdomen is bloated and painful with pressure. The tongue coating is thin and purple in color, and the pulse is stringy and astringent.

3. Cold evil: The forehead feels cold and painful after delivery (the pain is relieved after warming up), and the lochia is small, dark and purple. The tongue coating is white and thin, and the pulse is stringy and astringent.

TIP: In addition, postpartum headaches should also pay attention to the problem of venous thrombosis, which is more common in cesarean sections, heavy bleeding and high-risk mothers. It usually occurs within one week after delivery, often within 1-2 days after delivery. It develops rapidly and has severe clinical symptoms. In the early stages of the disease, there are severe headaches, vomiting and other symptoms, and mental and consciousness disorders appear quickly. If not treated in time, brain herniation and death may occur. The incidence of cerebral hemorrhage is high, especially in patients with epilepsy and neurological dysfunction. Imaging often shows extensive thrombus formation.

Treatment for postpartum headache

The main treatment is based on TCM syndrome differentiation.

1. Blood deficiency therapy: replenishing qi, nourishing blood and nourishing the brain

Prescription: Ginseng Yangrong Decoction

2.4 qian of Codonopsis pilosula, 2 qian of Atractylodes macrocephala, 3 qian of Poria cocos, 1.2 qian of Chuanxiong, 1 qian of Licorice, 3 qian of Angelica sinensis, 2.4 qian of stir-fried white peony root, 3 qian of Rehmannia glutinosa, 0.6 qian of cinnamon, 2.4 qian of Astragalus membranaceus, 2 qian of Schisandra chinensis, 2 qian of Polygala tenuifolia, 1.2 qian of dried tangerine peel, and 2 qian of Angelica dahurica.

If there is pain in the head and neck, you can add or subtract: add 2 qian of Pueraria root and 2 qian of Uncaria rhynchophylla.

2. Blood stasis therapy: activating blood circulation and opening the orifices

Prescription: Tongqiao Decoction (proven recipe)

Angelica sinensis 2 qian, peach kernel 2 qian, roasted ginger 1 qian, Achyranthes bidentata 2 qian, Leonurus japonicus 6 qian, Pheretima lumbar disc 2.4 qian, Angelica dahurica 2 qian, Uncaria rhynchophylla 2 qian, Trillium gracile 2 qian, Ligusticum chuanxiong 1.2 qian, Goat horn 3 qian, Bombyx batryticatus 2.4 qian.

3. Cold evil treatment: warming the meridians, dispelling cold and relieving pain

Prescription: Guizhi Siwu Decoction

Angelica 2 qian, Chuanxiong 3 qian, Red Peony Root 2 qian, Motherwort 3 qian, Rehmannia Glutinosa 3 qian, Cassia Twig 2 qian, Angelica dahurica 2 qian, Acorus calamus 2 qian, Asarum 1.2 qian, Vitex rotundifolia 2 qian, and Licorice 0.6 qian.