How to Treat Sinusitis during Pregnancy
Sinusitis (sinus infection) is a disorder that can occur during pregnancy. You need to know that sinusitis in pregnant women does not always have to be treated using medicines. However, there are several ways you can do, namely how to treat sinusitis during pregnancy. Well, in this article we will explain about how to treat it and also how to prevent it.
Generally, sinusitis during pregnancy is caused by the hormone progesterone which increases mucus production and makes the sinus passages swollen. In addition, sinusitis can also be caused by untreated dental infections, respiratory infections, allergies, excessive dust and exposure to cigarette smoke.
When experiencing sinusitis during pregnancy, you will usually experience symptoms of a runny nose, stuffy nose, sensations such as mucus or phlegm coming down from the nose to the throat in the mouth, headaches, and facial pain.
How to Treat Sinus Infection in Pregnancy
If you experience sinusitis symptoms while pregnant, here are some ways you can treat them at home:
1. Drink warm water
To relieve sinusitis symptoms during pregnancy, you can drink enough water, which is at least 8 glasses or 2 liters a day. In addition, you can also drink warm water to help make the nose and sinus cavities more relieved and loosen phlegm.
2. Apply warm and cold compresses
Place a warm compress on the nose, cheeks and forehead for 3 to 5 minutes. The purpose of placing a warm compress on the area is to relieve breathing and to improve air circulation in the sinus cavities. After that, replace it with a cold compress and place it on the area for 30 seconds to relieve pain.
You should do this combination of compresses 2 to 6 times a day or depending on your condition.
3. Inhale warm steam
To help relieve a blocked nose by mucus, you can inhale warm steam. The trick is to put warm water into a bowl or basin, then inhale the steam. If necessary, you can add eucalyptus, clove or ginger oil to warm water.
4. Get enough sleep
Getting enough sleep can boost your immune system, so you can recover faster from sinusitis. To help expedite breathing, you can elevate your head while sleeping by stacking several pillows as support.
Make sure the air in your room is not too cold and dry. The purpose of this is to reduce irritation that occurs due to sinusitis.
5. Eating spicy food
Eating spicy foods or foods that contain chili peppers can also reduce sinusitis symptoms during pregnancy. This is because chili peppers have a capsaicin effect that can help thin mucus.
6. Eating chicken soup
Consuming chicken soup while it's still warm can help relieve sinusitis symptoms, such as nasal congestion and pain in the sinus cavities. If you feel your appetite is reduced or feel nauseous, you can work around this by eating chicken soup in small portions but often.
7. Clean your nose using a neti pot
Neti pot is a special tool used to clear mucus in the nose. This tool is often recommended for someone who is suffering from sinusitis.
How to use it is quite easy, you put boiled water and salt into a neti pot. After that, pour the solution contained in the neti pot into one nostril until the solution flows out of the other nostril.
How to Prevent Sinusitis during Pregnancy
So that you can live a comfortable pregnancy you should know some ways to prevent sinusitis, here is how:
1. Maintain cleanliness
The main thing you can do to prevent sinusitis during pregnancy is to maintain cleanliness, such as bathing, washing hands regularly, and maintaining a clean room in the house.
Maintaining cleanliness is important, because one of the triggering factors for sinusitis is exposure to dust, especially if you have a history of allergies. If necessary, you can use a humidifier to keep the air in your room moist and clean. However, make sure that the tool is cleaned regularly.
2. Eating nutritious food
Eating foods rich in protein, vitamin C, antioxidants, and zinc is one way to keep the immune system strong. You can consume nutritious foods such as fish, eggs, milk, yogurt, whole wheat bread, cashews, as well as fruits and vegetables such as oranges, mangoes, strawberries, broccoli, spinach, and chilies.
3. Avoid pollution, dust, and cigarette smoke
Things that can trigger a recurrence of sinusitis during pregnancy, can even worsen the symptoms are due to exposure to pollution, dust, and cigarette smoke. Therefore, when you are pregnant you must reduce activities outside the home to avoid pollution, dust, and cigarette smoke. If you are forced to leave the house, wear a mask so you can be protected from pollution, dust, and cigarette smoke.
By applying how to treat sinusitis during pregnancy, it is hoped that the health of you and your fetus is always maintained. However, if you experience sinusitis symptoms that do not improve even though they have been treated with these methods, then immediately consult your doctor to get the right treatment.
