While expecting the birth of a child, every woman would like to forget about the unpleasant symptoms of a cold forever. However, rhinitis during pregnancy occurs quite often and can be associated not only with infection, but also with allergies, disorders of the nervous and endocrine systems. After finding out the reasons, it is necessary to start eliminating the symptoms, but how to do it correctly? Treatment of a cold during pregnancy is a responsible task for both the doctor and the patient herself. It is worth finding out what methods can help get rid of the symptoms of rhinitis without harming either the woman or the child.
Causes of the common cold
A runny nose is so common that many people do not regard it as a serious symptom. However, in reality, rhinitis during pregnancy can significantly reduce the quality of life; persistent violation of nasal breathing adversely affects both the woman's body and the child's body. The expectant mother becomes irritable, it is difficult for her to fall asleep, dizziness, headache worries. How to cure a runny nose during pregnancy and what should be done for this?
It is difficult to argue with the fact that during pregnancy, treatment is fraught with certain difficulties. A runny nose in pregnant women can recur - and every time you have to get rid of it with the use of medicines. However, many of them bring only temporary relief, and an excessive drug load cannot be called useful. Even if the patient is cured, there is no guarantee that the unpleasant symptoms will not return.
In addition, many drugs are produced by pharmacological companies with the note "Use during pregnancy is permissible only in case of emergency" or even without research on the possibility of prescribing to pregnant women. This significantly narrows the list of medications that a doctor can safely advise against a cold during pregnancy.
Finally, there are different types of rhinitis; in a pregnant woman, symptoms can occur as a result of:
- Infectious inflammation (for example, with a cold).
- Allergies (rhinitis, allergic sinusitis).
- Vasomotor disorders (vasomotor rhinitis of pregnancy).
Thus, the treatment of a common cold during pregnancy should begin with finding out the cause of the congestion at a full-time appointment with the attending physician.
Features of rhinitis
Thinking about how to treat a runny nose during pregnancy, you need to find out some of the features of the development of changes in the nasal mucosa during this period. Symptoms do not always appear for the first time and are due to bearing a child - a woman may suffer from chronic rhinitis or sinusitis, the exacerbation of which occurred in the first, second or third trimester. At the same time, during pregnancy, the 1st trimester is considered a "period of risk". Taking medications is permissible, but it is better to entrust the appointment and control of the condition to the attending physician.
It is also worth taking into account that during pregnancy, the 3rd trimester is the time of a significant increase in the size of the uterus. This can cause stomach contents to be thrown into the esophagus and pharynx (reflux). Reflux, in turn, can lead to the development of rhinitis symptoms.
Particular attention should be paid to such a diagnosis as rhinitis of pregnancy - symptoms most often occur at the end of the first or beginning of the second trimester, and can persist until childbirth. Many women can get rid of a cold only after delivery. The development of pathology is associated with changes in the endocrine and nervous systems. Rhinitis of pregnant women is characterized mainly by congestion, less often by nasal discharge and is dangerous due to the risk of sinusitis - inflammation of the paranasal sinuses.
Quite often, rhinitis during pregnancy occurs as a result of the development of ARVI. Symptoms of inflammation of the nasal mucosa are caused by a virus that can also affect the pharynx (pharyngitis), trachea (tracheitis), bronchi (bronchitis). In this case, it is unlikely that it will be possible to quickly cure a runny nose; therapy will take at least a few days.
Non-drug methods
When using non-drug methods, it does not matter how long the treatment of a painful rhinitis during pregnancy is carried out - the 2nd trimester requires the use of the same algorithm as other periods. Treatment of rhinitis in pregnant women depends primarily on the diagnosis confirmed by the doctor. However, for any type of nasal congestion, it is necessary:
- maintain optimal humidity and temperature in the room;
- ventilate, remove dust, eliminate "dust collectors" - carpets, fabric curtains, etc .;
- use nasal lavage, saline drops (irrigation therapy).
How to quickly cure a runny nose? If a woman suffers from allergic rhinitis, a hypoallergenic diet is necessary, identifying and eliminating potential allergens. Allergy to dust is very common, so it is highly undesirable for a pregnant woman to take part in the cleaning, otherwise nothing can be done with the symptoms of a runny nose.
With fever, signs of acute respiratory viral infections, you need to drink more, choose easily digestible, vitamin-rich food. For any type of rhinitis, both active and passive smoking, contact with irritating substances, chemicals must be excluded.
The key rules for treating a runny nose during pregnancy are breathing humidified air, drinking enough water, rinsing your nose regularly, or using saline drops.
Pharmacological preparations
Treatment of a common cold in pregnant women can be carried out without the use of pharmacological drugs only if nasal breathing is slightly difficult. However, most often a woman is faced with severe congestion, profuse discharge. What drugs are indicated?
Saline solutions
This is a physiological solution (0.9% sodium chloride solution), Physiomer and other means based on sea water, with the help of which they moisturize the nasal mucosa, mechanically remove bacteria and viruses. Saline solutions are considered the safest drugs to facilitate nasal breathing, do not have a systemic effect, and do not affect the effect of other pharmacological agents. They also serve to prepare the nasal cavity for the introduction of various ointments, drops.
Decongestants
This is the name of the vasoconstrictor drugs that are used to eliminate swelling of the nasal mucosa. They are divided as:
- systemic (taken orally);
- local (available in the form of drops, sprays).
Systemic decongestants (for example, Phenylephrine) are part of "cold cough powders" (Phenicitron, Theraflu) - they cannot be used by pregnant women. As for the drops, the decision must be made in conjunction with the doctor. Sometimes it is necessary to take a momentary risk in order to prevent complications that will require long-term antibiotic therapy (purulent sinusitis). However, decongestants cannot be abused, they are used in dosage, no more than 5 days only according to indications (pronounced edema, which does not allow adequate breathing through the nose). As a rule, with a common cold, there is no need to use these funds for more than 3-4 days.
Antiallergic
Antihistamines (Cetirizine) are prescribed only if absolutely necessary, and the use of local forms (Azelastine, Levocabastine) is undesirable. An innovation was the drug Nazaval, which includes microdispersed cellulose powder and can create a barrier for allergens on the surface of the nasal mucosa.
Glucocorticosteroids
The safest drug in this group is Budesonide.It is produced in dosage forms for local, that is, intranasal administration (for example, spray). Local glucocorticosteroids are an alternative to systemic ones, which are taken by mouth and given by injection. During pregnancy, they are prescribed in low doses.
A pregnant woman with a runny nose may also require systemic and local antibiotics - they are prescribed, as a rule, with the development of sinusitis.
Algorithm of actions
To treat a runny nose during pregnancy, you need to determine the complex of non-drug methods and drugs shown in a specific case.
- Infection.
How to get rid of symptoms? The best approach during pregnancy is drinking plenty of fluids, saline drops, rinsing the nose, and if necessary, vasoconstrictor drops approved by the doctor. Sinusitis requires an antibacterial drug (Josamycin). The list of medications depends on the severity of the condition, the main goal is to eliminate edema, cope with inflammation of the nasal mucosa and prevent complications.
- Allergy.
Various antiallergic drugs, barrier agents (Nazaval), and nasal rinsing are used. The use of decongestants should be discussed with your doctor. A hypoallergenic diet, avoiding contact with probable allergens, is of great importance, since allergy prevention is the best solution during pregnancy. At the same time, topical forms of glucocorticosteroids are often used; prescribing and canceling them, like other drugs, should only be a doctor.
- Rhinitis of pregnant women.
To date, treatment includes rinsing the nose with saline solutions - not only isotonic, but also hypertonic drugs (Aqua Maris Strong) are recommended, which help reduce edema. Intranasal glucocorticosteroids are also often used.
It is necessary to treat a runny nose during pregnancy at any time, having previously evaluated all the likely risks. To alleviate the condition in the 1st, 2nd or 3rd trimester, you should consult a doctor immediately after the onset of symptoms of a runny nose - the uncontrolled use of any pharmacological drugs during pregnancy is unacceptable.
