Pregnancy is one of life’s greatest miracles. Going through the entire process of pregnancy can be full of ups and downs. But it will surely be worth it when you see your bundle of joy for the first time after nine months. Expect to feel all kinds of emotions while tending to your child – the good, the bad, and the ugly. Unfortunately, the “ugly” part may include other things, like having to undergo asthma treatments due to an asthma attack.

Asthma is a common condition that affects people all over the world. It can make your situation more complicated if you are pregnant. For one, asthma can compromise your unborn baby’s safety if not managed properly. To prevent future complications, you should seek an asthma doctor immediately for the sake of you both.

What triggers asthma in pregnancy?

Asthma triggers during pregnancy are mostly similar to the usual asthma symptoms. However, sensitivity to the symptoms may be increased due to hormonal changes while pregnant. For starters, common asthma triggers may include:

• Respiratory illnesses including viral and bacterial infections
• Allergic rhinitis
• GERD (Gastroesophageal reflux disease)
• Smoke (ex. cigarette smoke, smoke produced by vehicles, wood, and cooking, etc.)
• Perfumes and sprays
• Allergies (food, chemicals, cosmetics, pet dander, dust, etc.)
• Emotional triggers (hormonal changes, stressful environment, etc.)

For allergy triggers, it is best to consult an allergy specialist doctor for proper medications suitable for your pregnancy.

How asthma can affect your unborn baby

Having asthma can affect a person’s quality of life, and can make your pregnancy complicated. The unborn baby inside your tummy needs enough oxygen to live. However, having an asthma attack can affect the amount of oxygen entering your body which can compromise your baby’s life.

You may have already been given medications by an allergist to help manage your asthma. However, you may have also considered stopping taking asthma medications when you got pregnant. This is understandable, as taking any medications may cause complications on your pregnancy.

For one, uncontrolled asthma may cause premature birth. You may also experience health complications such as hypertension or preeclampsia. In worst cases, your unborn baby may die due to lack of oxygen because of a severe asthma attack. If you have asthma prior to your pregnancy, it is best to consult an allergy physician to help manage the condition.

How to manage asthma attacks during pregnancy

Here are some tips to help you manage asthma attacks throughout your pregnancy:

1. Let your doctor know you have asthma.

It is said that asthma symptoms may become worse around six to eight months of pregnancy. Medications taken during or after birth are possible, but can cause discomfort and may even worsen the condition.

To prevent further complications, it is important to inform an allergist doctor about your asthma. Your doctor will help you create a plan and managing your asthma symptoms and ensure smooth and uncomplicated delivery.

2. Watch out for asthma symptoms.

Asthma is generally manageable even during pregnancy. Good asthma control can also ensure a normal and healthy pregnancy and delivery. Unless advised against by an allergy physician, you can still continue taking asthma medications while you’re pregnant.

Since asthma is supposed to be manageable, one of the things you should do is to watch out for its symptoms. Your symptoms may be worse than your pre-pregnancy days, so take note of that. If you are already experiencing breathing difficulties due to your asthma, head to the nearest clinic or hospital immediately.  Medical personnel will conduct first aid treatment to ensure you and your unborn child are both safe.

3. Avoid the triggers as much as possible.

If you don’t want to experience asthma during pregnancy, avoid the triggers. At the end of the day, you and your baby’s safety should matter most. Among things you can skip to prevent asthma triggers include:

• Quitting smoking or avoiding secondhand smoke
• Avoid overeating and lying down after mealtime (if you have GERD)
• Avoid interacting with people with infections (ex. colds and flu). Better yet, wear a protective mask when dealing with sick people
• Avoid other allergy triggers (ex. foods, dust, pet dander, sprays, and perfumes)

Finding the best asthma doctors near you

Consult the best allergist in Manassas VA to help you manage asthma while you’re pregnant. Some doctors would recommend taking flu and allergy shots to prevent severe asthma attacks during the duration of your pregnancy. These medications are considered safe, but make sure to seek medical advice first before taking these.

Asthma and allergies are only some of the most common health problems. In the US alone, it is said that asthma, a type of respiratory condition, affects one out of 13 people according to a Centers for Disease Control (CDC) report. Asthma can affect one’s quality of life, so going to the nearest allergy physician near you can help manage your condition.

But you may ask: “Why should I go to an allergy clinic for my asthma condition?” As you may don’t know yet, asthma and allergies are often connected and can even occur simultaneously. This is because most asthma symptoms are similar to those of allergies. This condition is called allergy-induced asthma.

How allergies are related to asthma

Allergies can be caused by several triggers such as food, dust mites, pet dander, and pollen among a few. There are other triggers such as stress, exercise, and certain infections. These triggers can also cause asthma attacks which can be uncomfortable nonetheless.

People with a history of allergy have a higher risk of having allergic asthma. While some of these triggers can cause allergic reactions such as runny nose and skin breakout, others experience coughing and frequent sneezing.

In worse cases, affected individuals may experience shortness of breath and difficulty in breathing. When these symptoms show up, it is best to consult an allergist to help you manage the condition.

Treating asthma and allergies

There are treatments meant to manage allergy or asthma symptoms. On the other hand, there are also those that can treat both conditions. Among these include the following:

1. Allergy shots

Also known as immunotherapy, it can help treat asthma symptoms by reducing your body’s reactions to allergic triggers. Allergy shots are applied through scheduled injections of small amounts of allergens which cause allergic reactions.

The entire treatment process will be done in a course of about three to five years. Doing so can help build tolerance from the said allergens. In effect, symptoms can eventually decrease and more manageable than before. The procedure should only be done by an allergy specialist doctor.

2. Montelukast

Also called Singulair or Leukotriene modifier, this comes in a pill form and is usually taken daily. This medication promises to provide relief from asthma and allergy symptoms. Likewise, it helps manage chemicals that are released in case of allergic reactions.

On the downside, it is said that montelukast causes suicidal and other psychological tendencies. Consult an asthma doctor first before taking this medication. If you are already taking this, seek medical help immediately if you notice the aforementioned symptoms.

3. Anti-immunoglobulin E immunotherapy

This type of allergy treatment aims to control and manage the chemicals that trigger allergic reactions. One of the most common anti-immunoglobulin E treatments is Xolair. This therapy is only used for patients with up to severe asthma symptoms.

Other treatments for allergy-induced asthma include:

• Bronchodilators – helps you breathe easier
• Anti-inflammatory medications – helps reduce swelling (ex. skin rashes due to allergic reactions) as well as relieve asthma symptoms
• Other medications that block the chemicals causing the allergic reactions

Managing allergies and asthma symptoms

Asthma and allergies can greatly affect one’s quality of life. That is why it is important to identify what your triggers are so you can properly manage your condition. But sometimes, symptoms may change without warning. Nonetheless, you can still manage your allergy and asthma – along with medical help, of course.

First of all, it is important to know what triggers your allergic reactions so you can avoid it beforehand. For example, it may be wise not to have pets at home if you are allergic to pet dander. If you cannot imagine not having a pet, you can opt for “hypoallergenic” pets. However, it is still best to consult an allergy specialist near you if you want to have a pet at home.

People with asthma may have multiple triggers, which is why it is important to identify those symptoms as well. That way, you can easily manage them and be provided the right treatments for your condition. The adage, “Prevention is better than cure”, says true about this kind of situation.

You can still live a normal life despite having allergies

Having allergies and asthma can affect one’s daily life. That is why you should monitor your symptoms and consult the best allergist in Germantown MD. Contact one and avail of a free consultation today.