What Can Pregnant Women Take For Sinus Infection

How Can I Treat The Flu Naturally While Pregnant

For symptoms, try these four natural flu remedies:

When To Contact A Doctor

Home remedies could treat sinuses, but there are times when you may need to see a doctor. A sinus headache during pregnancy could get worse, and even sinus pain during pregnancy could lead to complications. Consult a doctor in the following conditions:

• If you dont seem to make any progress with the OTC medications.
• If you have a fever higher than 101 degrees.
• If you cough up green or yellow mucus.
• If you are not able to eat properly.
• If you are unable to sleep peacefully.

Sinus infections are unpleasant, but there are many ways to fight the symptoms and recover soon. Stay hydrated and follow a healthy diet. Consult a doctor if symptoms persist or worsen.

Stuffy Nose During Pregnancy Third Trimester

Pregnancy rhinitis, also known as gestational rhinitis, is the phrase used to refer a runny or stuffy nose that pregnant women may encounter at any time of pregnancy. The condition typically starts in the second or third trimesters, though.

Pregnancy rhinitis generally lasts six weeks or a little more and has no cause of allergy or any other signs of a normal cold. Usually, the signs go away after two weeks of delivering the baby.

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How To Boost Your Immune System While Pregnant

If you suffer from recurrent infections or find yourself pregnant during cold and flu season, it is a good idea to find out how you can safely boost your immune system. Two ways to safely strengthen your immune system during pregnancy include:

• Vitamin D â If you cannot expose at least your arms and legs to direct sunlight for 15 minutes a day, consider adding vitamin D to your supplements to avoid a potential deficiency. This vitamin is integral to immune function, but due to our lifestyles or weather in certain seasons, many of us are deficient. This is particularly harmful if you are pregnant and suffer from a suppressed immune system.
• Probiotics â Good health starts in the gut! Try taking a probiotic supplement or get it from natural sources such as kefir, yogurt, or fermented foods like raw sauerkraut.

Remember, sinus infections may be more common during pregnancy as a result of changes in immune function and swollen mucous membranes. Talk to a doctor to find out which medications are safe to use for a sinus infection while pregnant, including over-the-counter medications. Also make sure to give your body plenty of sleep and proper nourishment.

How Do I Know If I Have A Cold During Pregnancy

Symptoms of a cold during pregnancy are no different than the usual cold symptoms. These include:

A cold can be easily confused with the flu because the two infections share many of the same symptoms. But unlike a cold, the flu can also cause more serious symptoms. These include:

Having a fever in early pregnancy has been linked to birth defects. If you notice a fever at any time during your pregnancy, talk to your healthcare provider to see if treatment is needed.

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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.

What Sinus Medicine Is Safe When Pregnant

The Hippocratic Oath takes on a much greater meaning for a pregnant woman: âI will apply dietetic measures for the benefit of the sick according to my ability and judgment I will keep them from harm and injustice.âMost people mistakenly assume it says, âFirst, do no harm,â but whichever way a patient wishes to take it, the pregnant patient is thinking not of herself, but of her baby. Sinus medicine may relieve the womanâs symptoms, but at what cost to the baby?

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What Are The Symptoms Of A Cold During Pregnancy

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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How To Treat Your Cold And Flu While Pregnant

Having the cold and flu while pregnant is the worst. What medications can you safely take?

You know that unpasteurized brie is a no-go during pregnancy, and those double martinis and oysters on the half shell are strictly verboten. But what about cold and flu medications? When you inevitably come down with a hacking cough, myriad aches and pains, and a serious case of the sniffles, what can you take? Here, our guide to navigating cold and flu season with a baby on board.

Get the vaccine

YOURE PREGNANT!Sign up to get weekly email updates on your baby »Influenzaa severe respiratory illness that causes fever, cough and congestionis not something to be trifled with. As Laura Magee, an obstetrician and clinical associate professor at the University of British Columbia, says, women who are pregnant and have the flu are at an increased risk of serious complications. And that list of potential repercussions includes pneumonia, kidney failure, swelling of the brain, premature labour and even death. An estimated 10 to 20 percent of Canadians becomes infected with influenza each year, causing upwards of 12,000 hospitalizations and 3,500 deaths.

The good news is the vaccine is safe throughout pregnancy. Be sure, however, to request the injection, which is made from an inactivated virus, and not the nasal-spray vaccine, as thats made from a live virus and not recommended for use by pregnant women.

Read more:

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Sinus Arrhythmia During Pregnancy

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Sinus arrhythmia in pregnancy is a violation of the frequency of heart rate contractions. With this deviation, everything happens with a special periodicity. The problem can arise both against the background of serious diseases, and some philological conditions. It can be a meal in large quantities, stress, intense physical activity.

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Pregnancy Rhinitis: Relief For Ongoing Nasal Congestion Is Possible

If youâre expecting a baby, you may be dealing with a stuffy nose that doesnt seem to go away. This hassle is called pregnancy rhinitis. The cause of this condition isnt really clear. However, it may be caused by hormonal changes.Having a history of allergies or asthma does not raise your risk of getting pregnancy rhinitis.

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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.

For headaches:

What Are The Most Important Facts To Know About Pregnancy Rhinitis

Pregnancy refers to an inflammation of the tissues lining the nasal passages in pregnant individuals. Although pregnancy rhinitis may occur at any time during pregnancy, it typically presents in the beginning of pregnancy, at the end, or at both stages. Symptoms of pregnancy rhinitis may last for 6 weeks, with complete resolution of symptoms within 2 weeks after delivery. The exact cause of pregnancy rhinitis remains unclear however, factors may include increased , hormonal fluctuations, and other risk factors, such as pre-existing rhinitis or smoking. Signs and symptoms of pregnancy rhinitis often include a stuffy or runny nose, sneezing, post-nasal drip, and increased ear pressure. Complications of pregnancy rhinitis may involve infections and worsening of preexisting . Treatment of pregnancy rhinitis can include avoiding and irritants, using non-medicated saline sprays, and, under the direction of a medical professional, taking specific medication that is safe for use during pregnancy or while .

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Are There Any Natural Remedies That Can Help Sinusitis

Where possible, tackling this head pain head on is usually the best way to go.

Luckily, there are some handy home remedies you can try to ease the pain of the symptoms:

• If your nose is congested, try saline nose drops, which will dry up some of the secretion, helping you to breathe easier and keep your airways moist

• Try a simple linctus

• Or you can make your own honey and lemon drink ?? if you have a sore throat or cough

• Steam inhalation could help to unblock your airways, so get a bowl of hot water and place your head over it, with a towel over your head and breathe in and out deeply

• Keep hydrated ? by drinking lots of fluids, especially orange juice for vitamin C ?

• If you cant sleep because your face is bunged up, try and raise the head of your bed, by adding extra pillows so that youre sleeping propped up

• If things are getting particular uncomfortable, invest in a humidifier.

Youll also find that certain things work for your specific set of symptoms, like many of our mums.

Lou66 says: I suffer terribly from sinusitis and I have been using Sterimar which is a natural sea water nasal spray that is totally safe in pregnancy. Ive found it makes a huge difference, more than the endless antibiotics and decongestants I was given pre-pregnancy.

Also I put a saucepan of boiling water in my room at bedtime, keeps the air moist and helps to stop your nasal passages drying out.

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What Is Sinusitis In Pregnancy

Sinusitis is the medical term for an infection of the sinuses, which are air-filled pockets around your nose. Theyre lined with a membrane that produces mucus, which, under normal circumstances, efficiently drains away. But when your sinuses are inflamed and swollen, that drainage slows down, the fluid builds up and you end up feeling as if you have a bad cold.

While you might be more susceptible to a sinus infection in pregnancy, the condition manifests itself the same way it would for anyone, pregnant or not, says Omid Mehdizadeh, MD, an otolaryngologist and laryngologist at Providence Saint Johns Health Center in Santa Monica, California.

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Taking Tylenol Cold While Pregnant

18 April, 2017

The common cold causes more than just a little misery. Every winter, it attacks and makes many of us sick with headaches, fever, congestion, runny noses, sinus pressure and more.

Plenty of medications exist to ease the discomfort, but for pregnant women there are doubts about taking anything that might hurt the baby. Tylenol Cold comes in several forms that alleviate symptoms from mild to severe, but it is important to examine the individual ingredients to make an educated decision before taking the medication during pregnancy.

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Dealing With A Cold While Pregnant

A cold is a very common mild viral infection of the nose, throat, sinuses and upper airways. It can cause a blocked nose followed by a runny nose, sneezing, a sore throat and a cough. The cold will usually last for about a week as the body fights off the infection.

There is no cure for a cold, although you can usually relieve the symptoms of a cold at home by taking over-the-counter medication, such as paracetamol, and drinking plenty of fluids.

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Are Decongestants Safe During Pregnancy

Allergies plague many of us every year. In fact, one in five adults suffers from allergies. Allergens are often called hay fever, or Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis, and the most common symptoms are sneezing, stuffiness, a runny nose, and itchiness in the mouth, throat, eyes, or ears. Allergies often do not stop when women become pregnant the question of whether the use of decongestants is safe during pregnancy is often an unclear answer to many women suffering from allergies.

Over-the-counter decongestants are, for the most part, safe during pregnancy, physicians advise. Most decongestants do not contain enough medication to cause problems with baby, especially if used for short periods. Nasal spray decongestants are even safer, since the medication is almost entirely absorbed within the nose and does not travel through the body. As a general rule, physicians advise patients that if they can buy it without visiting the pharmacy counter, short term use will not harm the baby during pregnancy.

Many health care providers recommend using medication that is considered a Category B drug, such as the decongestant Sudafed® or the antihistamine Claritin® when allergies strike. Category B drugs have been shown through animal testing to not harm an unborn baby when the mother takes the medication during pregnancy. 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.

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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Be Cautious When Seeking Treatment

Many women use non-prescription, over-the-counter decongestant sprays to open up their nasal passages. Know that these medicines dont work for pregnancy rhinitis. These medicines may give you temporary relief. However, they may actually make your symptoms worse and lead to a complete nasal blockage.

How can you get relief from pregnancy rhinitis? Experts say you can breathe easy with these measures:

• Dont use OTC nasal decongestants.

• Drink plenty of fluids.

• Increase the humidity levels in your home. Use a humidifier.

• Dont use nasal irritants, such as cigarette smoke.

• Get moving. Regular, moderate-intensity exercise can reduce congestion. It can also help you sleep better. But first, check with your healthcare provider to see what exercises are safe for you.

• When you go to sleep, raise the head of your bed. For instance, use an extra pillow or a wedge.

• Ask your healthcare provider about using OTC nasal strips and saline sprays or drops.

The good news? Even if you dont do anything, you can expect your stuffy nose to clear up soon after your baby is born. It often goes away within two weeks of childbirth.

Online Medical Reviewer: Bowers, Nancy, RN, BSN, MPH Foley, Maryann, RN, BSN

Date Last Reviewed: 4/12/2016