Why do I feel congested all the time?Believe it or not, it's pretty common to have a runny or stuffed-up nose during pregnancy. About 30 percent of pregnant women have congestion without any other cold symptoms while they're pregnant. This condition even has a name: rhinitis of pregnancy. It frequently starts in the third month of pregnancy and can last until you have your baby or even a few weeks afterward.
Higher levels of estrogen during pregnancy can contribute to swelling in the mucous membranes lining the nose and even cause you to make more mucus. What's more, the amount of blood in your body increases and your blood vessels expand during pregnancy, which can lead to swollen nasal membranes as well.
That said, a stuffy nose might just mean what it usually means — that you have a cold or allergies. If your stuffy nose is accompanied by sneezing, coughing, sore throat, or mild aches and pains, you probably do have a cold. Check with your practitioner before taking any cold or allergy remedies to see which ones are safe for you.
Pregnancy can also make your allergies worse, or cause you to be sensitive to allergens and other irritants that never bothered you before. Whether or not your congestion is allergy-related, avoiding potential irritants — such as cigarette smoke and alcohol (which you should already be avoiding!) and sudden temperature changes — can help a lot. You should also avoid exercising outdoors on days when there's a lot of air pollution.
What else can I do for relief?Steam can be very effective at relieving congestion and very soothing. Take a warm shower and hang out for a while afterward in the steamy bathroom. Use a humidifier or vaporizer to put more moisture into the air and keep it near your head at night.
For serious stuffiness, cover your head with a towel and lean over the humidifier for ten to 15 minutes a few times a day. Be sure to keep the humidifier very clean. Change the water daily, since it can be a breeding ground for bacteria, particularly in cool-mist humidifiers. You'll need to replace the filters often as well. For a low-tech alternative, use a bowl of steaming hot water instead, or moisten a washcloth with hot water, hold it up to your face, and breathe.
You can also try saline drops or a buffered saline nasal spray, available over the counter at the drugstore. Spritz or drip a bit into each nostril and within five or ten minutes you should be able to blow your nose more easily.
Remember to drink plenty of fluids and keep your head elevated at night. If congestion continues to make you miserable and keeps you from getting a good night's rest, ask your practitioner which medications are safe for you to try. It's generally best to avoid exposing your baby to any medications during your first trimester, when the organs are forming. If your practitioner says it's okay, you can try a decongestant. Avoid overusing decongestant nasal sprays, though, because they can cause rebound inflammation and make your congestion worse.
As troublesome as this symptom seems, the good news is that it's not dangerous. A stuffy nose will have absolutely no effect on your baby, and your symptoms will probably clear up within a day or two after you give birth.
--> agaknya sebab tu kot aku kena flu.. heheheheh
