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What To Take For Sinus Infection While Pregnant

What Are The Symptoms Of Sinusitis During Pregnancy

Pregnancy FAQs : How to Treat a Sinus Infection During Pregnancy

Sinusitis is quite common and can be even more so during pregnancy. Around 20% of pregnant women suffer from sinusitis.

The tricky thing about dealing with sinusitis during pregnancy is figuring out whether your symptoms are pregnancy-related or are sinus issues. In addition to all the other parts of your body that it affects, your pregnancy can also make you more prone to nasal inflammation.

If youre pregnant and suffering from the following symptoms, you may be suffering from sinusitis:

  • Yellow or greenish discharge from your nose
  • Difficulty breathing through your nose
  • Pain and pressure around your face, especially around the cheeks and eyes
  • A bad cough

The Best Ways To Deal With A Sinus Infection While Pregnant

Categories Pregnancy

While pregnancy comes with its own set of woes, getting a sinus infection while pregnant can be particularly nasty to deal with.

A sinus infection while pregnant normally occurs because of a few things that happen to our bodies for the duration of the pregnancy.

One of the main culprits tends to be the fact that our body has to suppress a few select parts of the immune system so that our very own growing child isnt recognized as foreign matter that doesnt belong there.

Not to mention that we have to funnel off some of our own immune system to our child to protect them from being affected by potential illness thatll get the baby in distress.

All of this means that our own health becomes compromised and a lot more vulnerable to bacterial or viral infection because the immune system is either spread all over the place or its being actively stifled by your own body.

Combine that with any other pregnancy pains and youre in for a rough time as sinusitis is a real torment when it strikes.Its just the right amount of bothersome without being dangerous to your health, though it can be in more severe cases.

The worst part is that, because youre pregnant, youre barred from using some of the more traditional remedies and medicines due to a potential risk for the baby and his overall development.

So, how do you deal with a sinus infection while pregnant?

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.

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Have A Healthier Pregnancy By Treating Your Sinus Infection With The Glatz Group Of Valley Ent

Getting sick is already a drag on its own, but getting sick during pregnancy can be especially tough, as you may not be able to take your average OTC medications.

In some cases, a doctor can provide medication with little risk to the developing fetus.

If the following home remedies do not help resolve your sinusitis symptoms, you may wish to consider setting up an appointment with us. We want to make sure your pregnancy is a healthy one for you and your baby.

When Does Nasal Congestion Usually Start During Pregnancy

Sinus infection while pregnant: Effects and safe treatment

Pregnancy rhinitis can start at any point in pregnancy, but it typically appears in the 13th or 21st week. It can last six weeks or longer, with many people experiencing it until after delivery. Usually, it will disappear within two weeks of giving birth.

It can take a while to identify pregnancy rhinitis. Typically, a doctor will diagnose the condition by conducting a physical examination, taking blood tests, and reviewing the patients medical history.

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Cold Medicine And Pregnancy

Coming down with the common cold is always unpleasant, let alone if youre pregnant. While many medications are off-limits during pregnancy, there are some remedies to relieve your symptoms.

Common Cold Medicine and Pregnancy: Go Natural

Before you consider taking drugstore medicines for the common cold, you might want to consider some good old-fashioned home remedies, says Elisa Ross, MD, an obstetrician and gynecologist on staff with the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio.

The reason: No over-the-counter medicines are really treating the cold or helping you get better, they just control symptoms.

Dr. Ross suggests:

  • Chicken soup

Common Cold Medicine and Pregnancy: Whats Safe?

If you cant get enough relief from those home remedies, its possible to use common cold medicines with a few precautions. First, guidelines say its best to avoid all medication during the first trimester.

In the first 12 weeks the baby is making its organs, and so in general, if people dont need to take something during that time it would be great if they didnt, says Dr. Ross. more serious consequences at the beginning of the pregnancy.

Next, Ross says the safest bet is to look for medications with the fewest ingredients possible.

There are also specific medicines to avoid during pregnancy:

  • Any herbal medications or remedies

Common Cold Medicine and Pregnancy: The Safe List

  • Zinc lozenges

Is It A Cold Or Is It A Sinus Infection

Many women report having congestion, a runny nose, coughing, sneezing and pressure headaches during pregnancy.

These are all pretty well known as the general symptoms of the common cold, though sometimes its referred to as pregnancy rhinitis and can be a regular occurrence in your 1st trimester.

But if your symptoms dont go away after a week or so, or you have other symptoms , you might have sinusitis.

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Can Sinusitis Affect Your Baby

This is probably the most disturbing question that comes into a mothers mind from time to time. She might often wonder if a sinus infection can cause miscarriage, especially in the first and third trimesters. Researches and reports have shown that a sinus infection while pregnant is unlikely to harm an unborn baby. It often takes a toll on the babys mother. Pregnancy can worsen a sinus infection symptom. It can also lead to a complicated pregnancy. It is important to stay on a constant lookout and ensure that the symptoms dont worsen.

From Cold And Cough To Hemorrhoid And Nausea We Break Down Safe Otc Medications To Take While Pregnant

How to cure a sinus infection/cold INSTANTLY 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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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:

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Check If You Have Sinusitis

Sinusitis is common after a cold or flu.

Symptoms of sinusitis include:

  • pain, swelling and tenderness around your cheeks, eyes or forehead
  • a blocked nose
  • a reduced sense of smell
  • green or yellow mucus from your nose
  • a sinus headache
  • toothache
  • bad breath

Signs of sinusitis in young children may also include irritability, difficulty feeding, and breathing through their mouth.

The sinuses are small, empty spaces behind your cheekbones and forehead that connect to the inside of the nose.

Sinusitis causes the lining of the sinuses to swell up.

This stops mucus draining into your nose and throat properly, making you feel blocked up.

Be Cautious When Seeking Treatment

Sinus Infection While Pregnant: Prevention and 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

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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
  • Sneezing
  • Mild fatigue
  • A dry cough, particularly near the colds end, which may continue for a week or more after other symptoms have subsided
  • Low-grade fever

What Causes Sinusitis In Pregnancy

Both sinusitis AND rhinitis are caused by the bodys overproduction of oestrogen and the pregnancy hormone progesterone.

Progesterone dilates the nasal passages, causing them to swell and partially block the airways, while oestrogen affects mucus production.

Its also thought that the increased blood supply in your body affects the mucus membranes in your nose.

Also Check: How To Reduce Sinus Mucus

How To Alleviate Sinus Congestion Naturally

Some home remedies to alleviate congestion include :

  • Hydration: Drinking plenty of water and fluids, such as citrus juice and broth, can boost your immunity and help clear the congestion.
  • Homemade saline drops: Besides the pharmaceutical saline drops, you can make saline drops at home by mixing 1/8tsp of salt and a pinch of baking soda in one cup of warm water.
  • Steam inhalation: Take a pan of hot boiling water and breath in the steam by covering your head with a towel. This will clear your stuffy nose and the mucus in your chest. You may also use a humidifier during the night.
  • Gargling: This will treat one of the most uncomfortable symptoms of sinusitis, sore throat. Dissolve a pinch of salt in a glass of warm water and gargle the solution. Honey and lemon are also effective in treating a sore throat.
  • Sleep:Sleeping position is also an influencing factor. If you sleep with your head slightly elevated by placing extra pillows under your head, you may find it easier to breathe. Also, good sleep is believed to improve immunity. Nasal strips may help open up the nasal passage.
  • Avoid allergens: Since sinusitis can also result from an allergic reaction, it is advisable to avoid common allergens. You may talk to your doctor and ask for pregnancy-safe antihistamines.

References:

  • Sinus infection while pregnant.
  • Congestion And Allergy Symptoms

    Treating Pregnancy Symptoms : How to Relieve Sinus Pressure When Pregnant

    For congestion issues, antihistamines such as diphenhydramine and loratidine appear to be safe during pregnancy. Avoid pseudoephedrine , since it may be associated with birth defects involving babys abdominal wall. Also, decongestants may affect blood flow to the placenta and should generally be avoided throughout your pregnancy.

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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.

    Drink Plenty Of Water

    When your body gets dehydrated, the fluid in your system thickens, including the fluid in your sinuses. When the mucus thickens it can become blocked, which increases the feelings of pressure and pain. Drinking adequate amounts of water helps to keep mucus thin and flowing.

    Another added benefit of drinking plenty of water is that water will help flush toxins from the body. Broths, decaf tea and juices can be mixed in with glasses of water if you need variety and will accomplish the same benefits.

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    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
    • Headaches

    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.

    The treatment for a sinus infection depends on the type of sinusitis and the source of the inflammation or infection. You might feel better with treatment for your symptoms as your sinus infection resolves.

    Acute viral sinusitis can usually resolve on its own, acute bacterial sinusitis can usually be cured with antibiotics, and anti-fungal medications might be needed for treating fungal sinusitis, Getting treatment for allergies that might be contributing to an acute or chronic sinus infection can help, and endoscopic surgery may be needed in some cases of chronic sinusitis.

    Verywell / Tim Liedtke

    Acetaminophen / Phenylephrine Pregnancy Warnings

    How to Relieve Sinus Pressure During Pregnancy?

    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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