Sinus Infection and Pregnancy
Sinusitis occurs when sinus cavity is blocked by the bacteria and mucus. In this condition, a person experiences the swelling in the sinus cavity because of the allergy or cold. If the bacteria attack the swollen lining through the sinus cavities, it causes severe inflammation in the nasals. Sometimes this sinusitis condition is experienced by a pregnant woman. Sinusitis in women during pregnancy occurs due to the hormonal changes. A woman goes through many changes during the pregnancy period. Pregnant woman experience the symptoms like congestion, facial pains, post nasal drip, pressure and cough.
Symptoms
Sinus infection during pregnancy is common due to the nasal congestion. Hence, women having asthma need to be more careful it, if they experience any difficulty in breathing. Women can have cough because of sinus infection, but the hard coughing may result in the miscarriage or may harm the labor. Some women may experience the loss of urine, and they need to stress their urine continence.
Medications
There are some medicines that can make the patient relaxed from the sinus infections during pregnancy.
- Suppressants
Dextromenthorphan is mostly used suppressant in pregnancy for the sinusitis and cough. However, it is labeled C category by the FDA, but this medicine has been effective for the disease.
- Decongestant
Decongestants are helpful in treating the symptoms like colds and allergies. Pseudoephedrine is a type of decongestant that can be used as the antihistamines. Generally, patients with high blood pressure and pregnancy are not prescribed this medicine.
- Echinacea Tea
It is safe for the pregnant women, as it does not have any effect on the birth. It is also important that extensive tests should not be taken for it.
Home Remedies
Drugs may have some side effects after the use, or the patient may only feel relaxed for a short period after the treatment. Hence, some home remedies are prescribed for the sinusitis that don’t have any side effect and are considered as very safe medicines for the pregnant women. These remedies are:
- Enough fluids are always effective in sinusitis, as it will control the secretion. Therefore, water, juices, warm tea and chicken soups are good options for the fluid supply.
- Menthol flavored balm and other products are available that can be rubbed on the chest and nostrils from outside to make the patient relaxed from the discomfort.
- Using humidifier may also help for the better results from the symptoms.
- Warm shower is also helpful to free the nasal from mucus and other stuffiness.
- Saline drops are used for the nasal stuffiness. Few drops are dropped into the nostrils every day.
Sinus infection during pregnancy has some severe effects on pregnancy, but can be avoided through different medications.

