Nasal congestion is common during pregnancy due to increased blood volume, swelling of tissues, and more mucus production. Relief can be found through regular nose blowing, saline irrigation, antihistamines, and warm liquids. Women should also clean their nose regularly to avoid lung infections.
Nasal congestion and pregnancy commonly go hand in hand, particularly in the first trimester. Many women are surprised to learn this when they ask their care providers why they always feel full. There are a number of methods for dealing with nasal congestion and pregnancy, and most women can get congestion relief to feel more comfortable. Once your baby is born, pregnancy rhinitis, as you know, should clear up very quickly.
There are several reasons why nasal congestion and pregnancy tend to be linked. When women become pregnant, blood volume increases and blood vessels expand, leading to swelling of tissues inside and outside the body. Many women are familiar with swelling of the hands and feet during pregnancy and it also occurs inside the nose. The rush of estrogen also leads to more mucus production inside the nose. The combination of more mucus and less space in the nose leads to stuffy nose and discomfort.
Women may notice that their noses run more during pregnancy and they may feel stuffy and blocked. Regular nose blowing is recommended to clear mucus, and some patients find saline nose irrigation helpful in managing nasal congestion and pregnancy. The irrigation will clear out mucus and soothe irritated and inflamed nasal tissues, and the saline percentage can be adjusted for comfort if women find that a nasal flush leaves their nose with a stinging or painful sensation.
Antihistamines safe for use in pregnancy can be taken to reduce swelling, and some patients also take decongestants. Women may also find it helpful to drink plenty of warm liquids and eat hot soup, loosening mucus and making it easier to rinse from the nose. As hormone levels begin to stabilize, the worst part of the nasal congestion should begin to clear up and women should feel more comfortable as their pregnancy progresses.
One concern with nasal congestion and pregnancy is the risk of women inhaling mucus and developing lung infections. Women should clean their nose regularly, carrying tissues or tissues to deal with occasional snotty flare-ups and keep the airways clear. If you experience symptoms such as difficulty breathing, wheezing, crackling or gurgling sounds when breathing, and a heavy cough, a doctor may perform an evaluation to check for lung problems and may prescribe appropriate medications to manage the problem.
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