Do you often experience sinus discomfort, frequent stuffy nose and sore throat? If the answer is yes, then most likely you already have sinusitis. Sinus infections during pregnancy, in particular, can be much more serious.
Sinusitis is a condition in which the lining of the sinuses becomes swollen. This interferes with the flow of mucus out of your sinuses. This can lead to symptoms like stuffy nose, increased pressure or discomfort in the eyes, nose, and cheeks. This disease can be caused by bacteria, viruses or fungi. A cold is also one of the most common causes of this condition.
If you have a sinus infection during pregnancy, then taking medication should be the first thing that comes to your mind. However, there are safe drugs, but there are also some that are not safe for pregnant women. Therefore, instead of medication, you can use a number of natural treatments to remedy the condition.
Typical causes of sinusitis during pregnancy include:
The immune system becomes weak during pregnancy and increases your chances of getting sinus infections caused by bacterial, fungal, and viral infections
Pregnancy hormones, especially progesterone and estrogen, can make sinusitis worse. Hormones increase blood circulation in the vessels and membranes (including mucous membranes) causing them to swell, leading to obstruction and posterior nasal discharge.
Other possible reasons for a higher risk of sinus infection while wearing sports are:
Cold and flu infections
Allergic rhinitis, hay fever , pollen allergy
Injuries, tip of the nose ... lead to an inflammatory response.
According to experts, 20% -40% of women of childbearing age have symptoms of rhinitis and sinus disease. 10% -30% of these women experience elevated symptoms during pregnancy. Bacterial sinusitis is one of the most common causes of sinus disease and requires careful care.
Sinusitis can develop during any trimester, and common symptoms of this infection include:
Snivel
Ear hurt
Sore throat
Dry cough, cough a lot
The breath smells bad
Mucus is stuffy on the nose
Loss of smell or taste
High fever due to an allergic reaction
Headache when chewing or tilting your head.
Sinusitis has 2 types as follows:
Acute sinusitis: This is a temporary infection that lasts about four weeks due to a cold or allergy. The sinus cavities are blocked to prevent the mucus from draining. Symptoms will peak.
If the infection lasts four to 12 weeks, the condition is called subacute sinusitis.
Chronic sinusitis develops when symptoms of a sinus infection last for more than 12 weeks and continue for several months.
Pregnancy sinusitis or other infections are unlikely to affect the baby because the placenta screens for most of the harmful factors to fight the disease.
Before taking any medicine, there are some safe home remedies you can try to reduce sinus infections, such as:
Keep your head up while sleeping to make breathing easier, preventing coughing attacks
A steam bath with warm water twice a day will help loosen mucus
Use a humidifier in your room at night to keep your nose moist and speed up the healing process while you're sleeping.
Drink plenty of fluids like water, soup and citrus juices. Keeping your body moist is very important in helping you fight infections.
Use saline to clean your nose. You can make this solution yourself by adding 1/8 teaspoon of salt and a little baking powder in 1 cup of warm water, stir, pump it into one side of your nose and blow it, switch sides.
If you have a sore throat, rinse your mouth with warm salt water (1/4 teaspoon salt with 250 ml water). Honey and lemon also help relieve sore throats.
Get enough sleep to help your immune system fight off infections.
During pregnancy, you often experience cravings, but when you are sick, you may not have this feeling. However, even if you do not have an appetite, you should still eat well. If you don't feel good, break up your meals. In your diet, include nutritious foods like fruits and vegetables.
If you have headaches:
Apply hot or cold compresses to your shoulders, neck, or forehead.
Exercise or take a warm bath can also help relieve headaches.
Medications used to treat acute sinusitis include cefprozil (Cefzil) and amoxicillin-clavulanate . Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is also safe to use during pregnancy for pain relief. In addition to using pain relievers, antihistamines, and cough suppressants to treat respiratory infections in the short term, it's also safe to take the correct dosage. However, you should not take aspirin and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin…).
You should talk with your doctor for information about medications. In general, while these drugs are safe, it is better to limit your use during pregnancy.
Some ways to help prevent sinus infections during pregnancy include:
Limit to dusty areas
Limit contact with people who are sick with colds
Clean the living area of the family very clean, vacuuming periodically
Increase immunity by eating fresh fruits, vegetables, yogurt
Zinc is needed to protect a healthy immune system and reduce the severity of the infection. You can prioritize foods that contain zinc, such as whole-wheat bread, lentils, green beans, eggs, cashews, baked potatoes, fish and meat.
Sinusitis will usually be lessened with home remedies. But if your symptoms do not improve or get worse, you should contact your doctor
If you cough up green or yellow phlegm
If you have a fever above 38 ° C
Can't eat or sleep
Recurrent infection
If the disease does not go well, your doctor will give you medicine to make sure it is safe for you and your baby. For sinus infections during pregnancy, you should take good care of yourself. In addition to medications, you also use some natural remedies to ease your symptoms and recover better.
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