Is It A Cold Or The Flu
The best way to tell the difference between a cold and the flu is to take account of the typical symptoms.
- A cold is milder than the flu. Its symptoms come on gradually and typically you only run a low-grade to no fever. It generally starts off with a sore throat that goes away after a day or two, a cold ends with the main symptoms of a runny nose and cough.
- Influenza, commonly called the flu, is more severe and the onset is more sudden than a cold. Symptoms include a high fever , headache, chills, a sore throat that typically worsens by the second or third day, intense muscle soreness, and a general feeling of weakness and fatigue. These symptoms, along with sneezing and a cough, can last a couple of weeks or longer.
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Prescription Medications Youre Already Taking
Before pregnancy, you may already be taking prescription medications for thyroid issues, high blood pressure, or other conditions. Speak with your doctor about continuing these medications, especially if youre already pregnant or plan to become pregnant in the near future.
In many cases, you may safely take your medication during pregnancy. Sometimes you may need to either adjust dosages or switch to another medication thats considered safer for you and baby.
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How To Safely Take Antibiotics In Pregnancy
The best way to take your antibiotics is to follow your doctors instructions. Because antibiotics have been used too much in the past, your doctor might be careful about what they give you.
Your doctor will choose the best type for you. They might think about other factors before giving you antibiotics. These might include:
- Avoiding antibiotics in the first trimester
- Testing to confirm the type of infection
- Giving the smallest dose possible
- Giving antibiotics for the shortest time possible
- Using only one type of antibiotic
- Only giving antibiotics when necessary
Antibiotics can interact with other medications or over-the-counter drugs. Your doctor might tell you not to take antibiotics with any other medicine.
Take as directed. Sometimes when you take antibiotics you start to feel better right away. Its important to take your medicine until its finished and the way your doctor says. This might help stop the bacteria from becoming resistant to the medicine.
Use other safe remedies. If you have a common cold or other minor conditions, your doctor likely wont give you antibiotics. Instead, ask about other over-the-counter medicine that is safe for you to take when youre pregnant. Other self-care practices for the common cold might be helpful, including:
- Hot shower
- Saline nasal spray
- Warm salt water gargle
If you dont get better or you have new symptoms, make sure to talk to your doctor to rule out more serious conditions.
What To Do If You Have Sinus Headache During Pregnancy
Hot or cold packs: Hot packs can relieve pain from sinus headaches as well as general muscle aches, while cold packs may work better for tension headaches. Prenatal massage: This form of massage for pregnant people relaxes tight muscles and can lower stress levels, which can be helpful for many pregnancy aches and pains.
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Medicines That Are Safe For Pregnant Women To Take When Sick
- Obstetrics
- Medicines That Are Safe for Pregnant Women to Take When Sick
When you are pregnant, your immune system doesnt operate at maximum capacity, which is actually a good thing because it keeps your growing baby protected, and stops your body from thinking the fetus is an intruder. However, this comes with the downside that your body cant ward off the viruses that cause the common cold quite as effectively. This can leave you vulnerable to the symptoms that come along, including a congested nose, cough, and sore throat.
As we move into cold and flu season, you may find yourself coming down with a cold, and while you can rest assured that your baby isnt experiencing any of them, you want to get rid of the symptoms quickly and safely. While colds are mostly an uncomfortable annoyance best managed by a little extra rest, fluids, and patience, you may find yourself seeking out cold medications to alleviate your symptoms. We recommend making a so they can steer you in the right direction in terms of cold medications that are considered safe during pregnancy. Here are our own recommendations on what to do if you get sick while pregnant.
From Cold And Cough To Hemorrhoid And Nausea We Break Down Safe Otc Medications To Take While Pregnant
Its the dead of winter and you cant sleep, because youre 7 months pregnant and your baby has decided to be nocturnal. You know you need sleep, because lack of good rest inhibits your immune system. This stresses you out, because your spouse has a nasty cold, and youd rather avoid it.
Your spouse is resting peacefully in the guest room because he has a plethora of over-the-counter medications at his disposal.
But not you. Youre pregnant, and your OTC medicine choices are extremely limited. So, you hope to stay healthy amid the stress and discomfort of pregnancy. Not to mention its cold and flu season.
Then, you realize. Your nose is running. Your sinuses feel clogged. Youre getting sick.
Your first instinct is to want to grab those great medications your spouse is taking. But you know you have to be careful.
In no time, youre miserable with symptoms of the common cold. Youre desperate for relief, but you know the safety of your baby is paramount.
Advanced Womens Healthcare is here to help with a comprehensive list of safe over-the-counter medications to take during pregnancy. Always consult your doctor for the best personalized choices for you.
Pregnant women: Dont forget to get your flu shot at AWH Dallas!
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When Do Pregnancy Headaches Start
Pregnancy headaches can become more frequent around nine weeks, when hormones and blood volume increase.
But, in general, headaches during pregnancy can start any time and feel like a typical headache you might have had when you weren’t pregnant.
The pain from a pregnancy headache might be concentrated on one side of the head, the sinuses, or both sides of the head, Columbo says.
Can I Take Mucinex Dm While Pregnant
Mucinex is likely safe to take while breastfeeding and during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. Before taking any medication while pregnant or breastfeeding, its a good idea to talk to your doctor first. You may want to review this article with your doctor and ask any questions you have.
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What Pregnant Women Can Take For Pain
Safe to take: Regular and extra-strength Tylenol
A cold compress and rest can help alleviate muscle pain and headaches during pregnancy, but if you need additional relief, your doctor may recommend acetaminophen . Follow the dosage on the bottle you’ll be okay taking Tylenol while pregnant. Other types of pain relieverssuch as ibuprofen and naproxen can trigger a decrease in amniotic fluid levels in third trimester , says Dr. Park. Advil may also make a certain vessel in the baby’s heart close prematurely and cause developmental issues in later stages of pregnancy. What’s more, some studies suggest that taking aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs medications near conception or in early pregnancy may increase the risk of miscarriage and birth defects.
When Should I Take Tylenol During Pregnancy
Doctors consider Tylenol to be the safest over-the-counter pain medicine you can take while pregnant.The Baylor College of Medicine Obstetrics & Gynecology recommends it for common pregnancy symptoms:
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Medications To Avoid During Pregnancy
Always check with your doctor or OBGYN before taking any medications prescription, over-the-counter, or homeopathic particularly the following.
- Pain relievers and fever reducers like aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen can cause pregnancy complications, particularly if taken during the third trimester.
- Avoid non-steroidal nasal sprays containing oxymetazoline.
- Dont take supplemental vitamins or herbal remedies without medical approval.
Tips To Consider Before Taking An Otc Drug
- Try nondrug measures. For complaints commonly handled by OTC products, nondrug measures can help alleviate symptoms without the risk. For example, stress busters such as massage, meditation, relaxation exercises, or even a walk around the block, can help with tension headaches. And rest, fluids, and chicken soup are a much safer way for pregnant women to deal with symptoms of a cold than antihistamines and decongestants.
- Consult your healthcare provider. Don’t take anything without first discussing it with your practitioner. There are trade-offs with OTC products, Mitchell said. You have to balance your need to take something with any possible risks.
- Avoid combination products. Multi-symptom cold and allergy medications typically contain ingredients from the off-limits list. For example, while Tylenol pain reliever is relatively safe for occasional use during pregnancy, Tylenol Sinus Congestion and Pain and Tylenol Cold Multi-Symptom liquid contain the decongestant phenylephrine, which is not.
- Read labels.Ingredients such as alcohol and caffeine turn up in surprising places. For example, Vicks Nyquil Cold & Flu Liquid contains alcohol. And CVS Aspirin-Free Tension Headache, is indeed, free of aspirin, but still contains caffeine.
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Sinus Infection While Pregnant: Medication And Natural Remedies
Sinus pressure, a stuffy nose, and a sore throat? Welcome to a sinus infection during pregnancy. Sinus infections while pregnant at the same time makes being sick even worse.Sinusitis occurs when there is an infection in the lining of one of the four nasal cavities, which can cause inflammation and a nasal obstruction inhibiting the proper drainage of mucus. This can result in symptoms such as a stuffy nose and painful pressure around your cheeks and eyes. Such infections may be caused by a bacteria, virus, or fungus, although the cold is the most common contributing factor of sinus infections. Learn more about dealing with a cold during pregnancy.If you have a sinus infection during pregnancy, you may be tempted to take some medication for a quick fix. However, while certain medications are safe to use during pregnancy, other commonly used medications may not be safe to take while pregnant. You may also find that some home remedies may be just as effective in alleviating your symptoms and helping you recover.
What Pregnant Women Can Take For Pre
Safe to take: It’s best to consult your doc if you’re on a prescription for a pre-existing health issue, but you’ll most likely need to continue taking life-saving meds during your pregnancy.
The goal is always to give the minimum dosage necessary to keep your symptoms under control, because there may be greater risks if you’re affected by say, asthma or seizures, than by the effects of taking those meds on the baby. “And even though we don’t recommend regular, prolonged exposure to anxiety drugs such as Zanax, Ativan, and valium because they’re addictive substances and the baby could have withdrawal symptoms at birth, we do prescribe them in rare occasions because you have to have a healthy, happy, functioning mom in order to have a healthy pregnancy,” says Dr. Park.
High blood pressure can be treated with methyldopa or a number of other medications. But it’s best to avoid a group of drugs called ACE inhibitors, commonly used to treat high blood pressure. These drugs can damage fetal kidneys after the first trimester. While most asthma medications are considered safe, , less is known about sprays containing salmeterol, so consult your doctor before use.
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No Such Thing As A Safe Medication List
The Centers for Disease Control cautions that pregnant women seeking sinus relief should first consult their doctors, because many medicines in online âsafe medication listsâ could have unknown side effects on fetuses.The CDC states, âA conversation with a healthcare provider can help ensure that you are taking only what is necessary.â The trained professionals at the American Sinus Institute can work with a pregnant patient to find the minimal medication needed to provide sinus relief.
Can I Take Tylenol While Pregnant
Acetaminophen has long been considered one of the few drugs safe to take during pregnancy, but a 2016 study in the International Journal of Epidemiology found a link between acetaminophen and autism. While studies like this are scary, it doesnt mean women shouldnt take Tylenol. Its not a warning that women should stay completely clear of acetaminophen, says David Olson, a professor of obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics and physiology at the University of Alberta. As with all medications during pregnancy, women should take the lowest dose possible of for the shortest period of time.
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What’s A Mom To Do Tylenol Alternatives
Headaches are a common prenatal problem, and acetaminophen has been considered safe to use, whereas other commonly used headache medications including ibuprofen and aspirin are not safe for use in pregnancy. So what can you do?
First, if you’ve taken Tylenol or another form of acetaminophen, don’t beat yourself up. The chances are, statistically speaking, still low that this will have any impact on your baby. And for fever and significant pain, it’s still considered the safest prenatal option. But we can’t just assumed it’s safe and it can have an impact, so the goal is to avoid it when you can and keep your duration of use as brief as possible.
Here are 5 safe, natural tips to help reduce headaches in pregnancy:
1. Apply a few drops of lavender oil, peppermint oil, or Tiger Balm to the temples these have been shown to safely and effectively reduce headaches.
2. Many headaches are a result of neck and shoulder tension, so don’t overlook the value of massage, a gentle osteopathic manipulation, or craniosacral therapy for headache prevention and relief.
3. Magnesium can help reduce a tension headache take 400 800 mg/day of magnesium glycinate, or if constipation is also a problem, magnesium citrate in the same dosage.
4. Take 2 ginger capsules once or twice daily if you feel a headache coming on it is a natural anti-inflammatory herb that is considered safe in pregnancy
What Should I Avoid While Taking Tylenol Sinus Congestion And Pain
This medication may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.
Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any other cold, allergy, pain, or sleep medication. Acetaminophen is contained in many combination medicines. Taking certain products together can cause you to get too much acetaminophen which can lead to a fatal overdose. Check the label to see if a medicine contains acetaminophen or APAP.
Avoid drinking alcohol. It may increase your risk of liver damage while taking acetaminophen.
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Taking Tylenol Extra Strength While Pregnant
In general, as a mom-to-be, its best to start with regular strength Tylenol, says Roshan. Extra strength equals extra acetaminophen , so try the basic formulation first and see how it works.
If regular Tylenol doesnt relieve minor discomforts, Extra Strength is also okay to use, according to Roshanbut he cautions that neither should be taken above the daily recommended intake of acetaminophen, which is 3,000 mg a day, unless directed by your doctor. Women who have underlying liver conditions or a pregnancy induced condition affecting the liver should avoid acetaminophen altogether unless advised otherwise by their provider, Roshan says.
Home Remedies: How To Alleviate A Congestion Naturally
There are many safe home remedies you can use to alleviate your symptoms and recover from a sinus infection:
- Drink plenty of fluids such as water, broth, and citrus juice. Staying hydrated is important for helping you fight infection and for clearing a stuffy nose.
- Use saline nasal irrigation or saline nose drops. You can make your own saline drops by combining 1 cup of warm water with 1/8 tsp salt and a tiny pinch of baking soda.
- Use a humidifier at night. This will help clear nasal passages. You may also lean over a pan of boiling water taken off the stove, place a towel over your head, and breathe in the steam. This helps open your nasal passages and loosens mucus in your chest.
- Elevating your head with a couple of pillows while lying down may make breathing easier. Using nasal strips also helps open nasal passages.
- For a sore throat, gargle salt water , drink a warm liquid or suck on ice. Honey and lemon may also soothe a sore throat.
- Make sure you are getting plenty of sleep as this will help your immune system fight the infection.
- During pregnancy, it is common to lose your appetite, and feeling sick may not help. However, even if you dont have an appetite, it is important to eat well. If you lose your appetite, it may help to eat smaller meals throughout the day. Make sure you are eating nutrient-dense foods such as fruits and vegetables. Soup may also be a soothing option.
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