Thursday, March 28, 2024

What Can A Pregnant Woman Take For Sinus Congestion

How To Treat A Sinus Infection During Pregnancy

Sinus Relief During Pregnancy | Relieving Nasal Congestion Druring Pregnancy

Most sinus infections are viral, so taking antibiotics generally wont help . As with the cold or flu, your best bet for sinus relief during pregnancy comes from managing the symptoms with home remedies, such as:

Nasal irrigation. Using salt water irrigation, like a Neti pot, can help keep the lining of your nasal passages moist, remove backed-up gunk and promote drainage. Studies have shown that rinsing ones nose with saline by itself will improve sinusitis symptoms as well as swelling in the nose, Sedaghat says. Saline is available as normal saline and hypertonic saline both work equally well, but the hypertonic saline is sometimes associated with nasal dryness or nose bleeds.

Salt water spray. While not as effective as irrigating with a Neti pot, a spray will moisten your nasal-passage lining too and some provide relief. Anything thats pushing salt through would be helpful, Mehdizadeh says.

Cool compresses. Applying a cool, damp washcloth over your sinuses can help ease discomfort, says Mehdizadeh, and can also soothe a sinus headache in pregnancy.

Sinus infections typically clear up within two weeks, but call your doctor if your symptoms remain the same or get worse, and especially if you develop a fever, changes in vision or ear or throat pain.

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The Difference Between Pregnancy Rhinitis And A Cold Or The Flu

The difference between a cold and pregnancy rhinitis is both the symptoms and the length of time the symptoms are experienced. Pregnancy rhinitis lasts six weeks or longer, while a common cold usually only lasts a week. Additionally, the only symptom of pregnancy rhinitis is congestion. The flu has other symptoms, such as a fever and a sore throat.

I Hate Using Nasal Sprays Do I Have Other Options For Allergies During Pregnancy

Antihistamine pills like loratadine and cetirizine are popular allergy medications, but theyre less effective compared to the nasal steroid sprays. If you choose to take these, know that they are generally safe for use during pregnancy.

You may also be familiar with the decongestant pseudoephedrine . If youre pregnant and in your first trimester, stay away from this. During your second and third trimester, it may be used if you dont have high blood pressure.

Always check with your OB/GYN before taking any new medications.

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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.

What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Pregnancy Rhinitis

View What Nasal Spray Can I Use While Pregnant Images

Signs and symptoms of pregnancy characteristically include a stuffy nose, due to increased mucus and pressure in the nasal passages. Other symptoms during pregnancy may include excess mucus dripping down the , runny nose, increased ear pressure, sneezing, reduced sense of smell, and disturbed sleep. Complications of pregnancy rhinitis may include , , or, for individuals with , the worsening of . If individuals experience any complications, it is recommended that they seek professional medical assessment.

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What Is Pregnancy Rhinitis

Pregnancy rhinitis is congestion or a stuffy nose that starts during pregnancy, lasts for at least six weeks, and isn’t caused by an infection or allergies. Although it may feel similar to the stuffiness you experience when you have a cold, pregnancy congestion occurs simply because you’re expecting.

Signs Of A Sinus Infection During Pregnancy

If youre pregnant and havent had much experience with sinus infections in the past, you might wonder what hit you. Chances are you have a sinus infection if you notice:

  • Yellow or green drainage from your nose
  • Nasal congestion
  • Facial pressure

When these symptoms last more than a week to 10 days without any improvement, its probably a bacterial infection instead of a viral one, notes Ahmad R. Sedaghat, MD, PhD, an associate professor in the department of otolaryngology at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. In that case you may need to be prescribed antibiotics, so be sure to let your doctor know if your symptoms worsen.

While sinus pressure and pain in pregnancy might leave you feeling pretty under the weather, the good news is that the infection wont affect your baby.

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What About Rinses And Irrigation With Saline

Nasal saline irrigation can help improve symptoms of nasal congestion from allergies. This refers to bottle sprayers or nasal rinses with bulb syringes that are meant to be used daily to help with stuffy noses. In fact, in a study of pregnant women, nasal saline irrigation was shown to be beneficial for the treatment of allergic rhinitis.

What Are The Symptoms Of A Cold During Pregnancy

How to Relieve Sinus Pressure When Pregnant

A cold usually begins with a sore or scratchy throat that lasts for a day or two, followed by the gradual appearance of other symptoms, including:

  • A runny, then later stuffy, nose
  • A dry cough, particularly near the colds end, which may continue for a week or more after other symptoms have subsided
  • Low-grade fever

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What Is Safe To Take For Sinus While Pregnant

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. Besides, is a sinus infection dangerous during pregnancy?

Sinusitis during pregnancy can be triggered by a viral, bacterial, or fungal infection. In some cases, a sinus infection is a complication of the common cold. Youre also at higher risk for a sinus infection if you have allergies. Although it can make you feel worse while pregnant, relief is available.

Secondly, are any decongestants safe during pregnancy? Over-the-counter are, for the most part, safe during pregnancy, physicians advise. If a runny nose is more of a problem than a congested one, antihistamines such as Diphenhydramine, Loratadine or Cetirizine are all safe to take during pregnancy.

Keeping this in consideration, is Sudafed safe while pregnant?

Sudafed 30-60 mg every 4-6 hours can be used in the second and third trimesters in women without HTN. Avoid use in the first trimester and with breastfeeding. Sudafed PE should be avoided because its uncertain efficacy and safety in pregnancy.

How do I get rid of congestion while pregnant?

Some measures you can take to deal with congestion during pregnancy include:

  • Drinking plenty of liquids.
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    What Are The Best Treatment Options For Sinusitis During Pregnancy

    If you have a sinus infection during your pregnancy, you may feel miserable. You may be tempted to take some medication in an attempt to get some quick relief.

    Many mothers-to-be who are suffering from sinusitis are often faced with a difficult decision of what they can do to fight their symptoms without endangering their baby.

    You may find that some home remedies are just as effective in alleviating your symptoms and helping you recover while avoiding harm to your baby.

    These can include the following:

    • Using a humidifier at night
    • Drinking plenty of fluids such as water and broth. This helps you stay hydrated and helps thin the mucus.
    • Using saline nasal irrigation or saline nose drops
    • Using several pillows to elevate your head when you lie down

    Some medications are safe to use during pregnancy, while other commonly used medicines may not be safe to take while youre pregnant.

    In some cases, such as sinusitis caused by a bacterial infection, it may be safer for the baby if you take an antibiotic. The risk of possible harm to the baby is usually smaller from antibiotics than from the bacterial infection, but talk to your doctor for more information specific to your case.

    Medications that are used to treat acute sinus infections include cefprozil and a combination of amoxicillin and clavulanate. They are generally regarded as safe to use during pregnancy. So is acetaminophen , which can help with pain relief and/or headaches.

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    What Causes Pregnancy Rhinitis

    The root cause of rhinitis can be allergic or non-allergic . However, we are still learning how rhinitis is related to pregnancy.

    We know that smoking, as well as having chronic rhinitis before pregnancy, predisposes patients to developing pregnancy rhinitis. Research suggests a few more potential causes:

    • Having extra fluid in the body: During pregnancy, the body makes more blood and fluids, which can cause swelling, even in unexpected places such as the nasal passages. Blood vessels in the nose can swell with this additional volume, causing stuffiness.
    • Higher levels of estrogen: Estrogen in older formulations of birth control pills has been associated with a side effect of nasal obstruction. However, in studies of the menstrual cycle, we dont see congestion with fluctuating estrogen levels. So, the connection remains unclear for now.
    • Creation of human growth hormone: The placenta creates a variant of the human growth hormone , which has been associated with nasal symptoms in other conditions. For example, tumors that grow on the pituitary glands secrete growth hormones, which can cause severe nasal congestion.

    Gestational rhinitis is under-researched. Data to date suggest no known association of rhinitis with pre-existing asthma, maternal age, duration of pregnancy, or the number of times a patient has been pregnant. However, a recent study found that patients carrying female babies were diagnosed significantly more often than patients carrying male babies.

    What Are The Different Types Of Sinus Infections

    Can I Take Allergy Medications While Pregnant?  Maryland State Doulas

    Sinusitis is divided into two types according to its severity and progression. They are :

    • Acute sinusitis: It is also called sinus infection or rhinosinusitis, a short-term inflammation of the sinuses. It can result from a common cold, bacterial infections, or viral infections in the upper respiratory tract.
    • Chronic sinusitis:Acute sinusitis takes the form of chronic rhinosinusitis when the inflammation continues for more than three months. This can be due to underlying conditions such as asthma, allergy, or nasal polyps.

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    Can I Take Medication For A Stuffy Nose During Pregnancy

    Itâs generally best to only take medications that are necessary, especially during your first trimester of pregnancy . But if pregnancy rhinitis is severe, your doctor may suggest taking a short course of a specific decongestant, particularly if youâre further along in your pregnancy.

    Never use OTC without getting your doctorâs OK first. Some research suggests that decongestants may lead to birth defects, especially if taken for longer periods of time and in the first trimester. Whatâs more, they can cause you to experience rapid heartbeat, anxiety, tremors, and insomnia and even make congestion worse. Your doctor will weigh the risks and benefits of decongestants and likely only recommend occasionally taking the lowest dose possible for a few days max.

    Other drugs that are sometimes used to treat congestion, including corticosteroids and antihistamines, are usually only recommended to treat stuffiness linked to other causes . Thereâs little evidence on their safety or effectiveness at treating pregnancy rhinitis, so they usually arenât recommended.

    Learn more:

    Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2021. Cold Versus Flu.

    Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2019. Sinus Infection.

    National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine. . Stuffy or runny nose adult.

    Essential Oils For Sinus Infection While Pregnant

    Certain essential oils that available on market, such as eucalyptus and peppermint oils, can help you to clear the airways and reduce congestion. Essential oils are one of the most common methods of natural therapy.

    People are using them to ease inflammation symptoms in the sinus, unblock the irritating stuffed nose and facilitate sinus drainage. However, there is little research that can confirm the usage of essential oils to alleviate inflammation of the sinus.

    There is some proof, however, that the essential oils may improve associated symptoms mentioned above, although a number of these studies have been conducted on animals or laboratory experiments, rather than on humans, which is due to an obvious reason.

    Some findings show essential oils are capable of doing the following:

  • Peppermint OilMost people think that it actually feels better to inhale peppermint oil when you experience blocked sinuses. Thats maybe due to the oils cooling effect. Since there is menthol in peppermint oil, the substance can impact the noses mucus receptors, helping expand the airways and remove the mucus. Studies at the laboratory suggest that peppermint oil can aid patients fight infection, which is, in fact, one of the main causes of sinus inflammation.
  • Oregano OilOregano oil can also benefit expectant mothers to get over sinusitis by fighting against bacteria. Scientists also found that carvacrol, a part of the oregano oil, can prevent the growth of bacteria.
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    Cold Medications For Pregnancy And Breastfeeding

    Selecting a cold medication while pregnant or breastfeeding that is going to be safe for both you and your baby can be stressful and overwhelming.

    Here, youll find answers to your questions and information about common ingredients found in cold medicines that are considered safe for you and your baby.

    Medications To Avoid When Breastfeeding

    How to cure a sinus infection/cold INSTANTLY while pregnant

    Generally, doctors avoid the following medicines for sinus infections when you are breastfeeding, as they could be harmful to the baby.

    • Avoid OTC drugs without consulting the doctor because you should know if these medicines contain compounds that could pass into breast milk and affect the baby.
    • Avoid medicines that contain naproxen
    • Do not consume any antibiotics for sinus infections, as most sinus infections do not need antibiotics. Viral infections do not need antibiotics. The doctor will prescribe antibiotics if the symptoms are very severe, like, fever over 38.6°C , pain and tenderness in sinuses, and signs of a skin infection, such as a hot, red rash that spreads quickly . The commonly prescribed antibiotics are levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, and amoxicillin/clavulanate . If antibiotics are prescribed by the doctor, then the breastfeeding mother can safely consume it as it does not affect her breast milk.

    Although some OTC medicines may not cause any potential hazard to the baby, it is suggested to use only prescription drugs.

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    How Can I Treat The Flu Naturally While Pregnant

    For symptoms, try these four natural flu remedies:

  • Use sugar- or honey-based lozenges to relieve sore throats and coughs.
  • Get plenty of bed rest.
  • Drink lots of fluids, like water, juice, and caffeine-free tea.
  • Put an air humidifier in your room to provide extra moisture, which can help ease congestion.
  • Safe Constipation Remedies During Pregnancy

    • Metamucil, Citracel, Fibercon, Benefiber
    • Stool softeners colace ,1 tablet 2-3 times a day, pericolace ,1 tablet 1-3 times a day
    • Laxatives such as Milk of Magnesia, Correctal, Fleets enema and Miralax
    • Imodium liquid or capsules for diarrhea
    • Psyllium, which is the basic ingredient in Konsyl and Metamucil

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    What Cold Medicine Is Safe For Pregnancy And Breastfeeding

    The common cold can cause a variety of symptoms, such as runny nose, fever, headache, body aches, cough, sore throat and congestion. Many over-the-counter cold medicines combine multiple medications that treat these symptoms into a single tablet or liquid. It’s important to review the active ingredients in these products when you’re pregnant or breastfeeding to ensure they are safe for both you and your child. In most cases, it’s best to avoid combination products and instead use single-ingredient products to help relieve the symptoms you are experiencing.

    Which Cold & Flu Medication Is Safe To Take During Pregnancy

    Are Breathe Right Strips Safe For Pregnancy

    You are pregnant and start feeling sick. Before you reach for that bottle of cold or flu medicine, are you certain it is safe for your baby?

    When you are pregnant, your baby will be exposed to everything you are exposed to. This means that when you are sick with a cold or flu your baby will not only be exposed to the cold or flu virus, but also any medication you may take.

    Typically, with most viruses, you must wait for your immune system to fight the infection. Over-the-counter medications can help soothe your symptoms while you wait.

    However, not all over-the-counter medicines are safe to take during pregnancy. Certain medications may hurt the baby or cause problems for you, such as increasing your blood pressure.

    Use this quick list of pregnancy-safe natural cold and flu remedies and over-the-counter medications as a starting point. Remember, read the directions on the package for any medication you might take. Its also a good idea to talk with your doctor or midwife before taking a cold or flu medication.

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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.

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    Acetaminophen / Phenylephrine Pregnancy Warnings

    This drug should be used during pregnancy only if the benefit outweighs the risk to the fetus.AU TGA pregnancy category: B2US FDA pregnancy category: Not assigned:-There is no data on use in pregnant women to know this drugs risks, including the risk of fetal harm or reproductive effects.-Acetaminophen is commonly used during pregnancy and has been assumed safe recent data questions the safety, especially with routine use or varying genetics. -Routine use of acetaminophen during pregnancy is not advised.-Phenylephrine is a sympathomimetic used in emergencies to treat hypotension and alleviate eye and ear allergic symptoms.-Phenylephrine could cause constriction in uterine vessels , reducing uterine blood flow, potentially causing fetal hypoxia.-Phenylephrine may interact with oxytocic or ergot derivatives to cause persistent maternal hypertension cerebral vessel rupture is possible.-Sympathomimetic amines are teratogenic in some animal models, but are not suspected to cause human teratogenicity.-First trimester exposure to phenylephrine may be linked to fetal abnormalities.-Patients with a preeclampsia history should use phenylephrine with caution due to its vasoconstrictive properties.-Phenylephrine may reduce placental perfusion.

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