Sinus Infections While Pregnant
- Throughout life, intake of sufficient fluids is beneficial. This is doubly true while experiencing a sinus infection in pregnancy. To help thin out mucus, drink plenty of fluids (at least eight to 10, 8-oz. glasses of water per day). Water, 100 percent fruit juices, broth and soup all add to the fluid count. Stay away from dehydrating caffeinated drinks.
- Place a cool-mist humidifier in your bedroom or the room in which you spend the most time per day. The added humidity should make breathing easier and keep the nasal passages more moist.
- Saline nasal sprays are an inexpensive way to effectively add moisture directly into your sinus cavities. Squeeze the solution into each nostril twice per day until congestion subsides. A once-per-day spray is good for moisture maintenance.
- A warm shower with the door closed is a pampering way to unclog sinuses. The steam from the shower helps loosen excess mucus while giving the rest of your body a nice treat.
- Nasal irrigation, also called nasal lavage, is an ancient form of rinsing the nasal cavities with a saline solution. The warm solution flows in one nostril, through the sinuses and out the other nostril. Allergy sufferers and those with colds and flu alike have benefited from the practice. A neti pot is a handy tool for nasal irrigation; find one at a local pharmacy or health food store.