How to Relieve Sinus Pressure While Pregnant

Sinus pressure is an uncomfortable and sometimes painful feeling in the sinus areas of the face. It occurs when allergies flare or a cold causes sinuses to fill up. While there are several ways to treat sinus pressure, pregnancy adds a level of difficulty to the treatment. Relieving sinus pressure while pregnant involves a little more thought and effort than the usual sinus pressure treatments. This article describes how to relieve sinus pressure when pregnant.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Try saline spray. Saline spray is a sterile mixture of water and salt that moisturizes and relieves sinus symptoms. Because it's specifically for nasal issues, it comes packaged in an easy to use bottle that squirts the liquid up the nostril. While it involves minor discomfort when beginning use, eventually it causes no issues at all.

2. Do a rinse. Sinus rinses are somewhat like nasal sprays. They are sterilized water and salt type mixtures that users put up their nose. However, rinses involve a large amount of the liquid going up the nose instead of a quick squirt. The rinse involves tilting the head, pouring the fluid into one nostril and letting it pour out the other nostril. These rinses are uncomfortable at first, but get tolerable after the first few uses. It's not as easy to use as the sprays, but again, after making adjustments the first few times it becomes simple.

3. Try over the counter remedies. Over the counter antihistamines are the most common medication used to relieve sinus pressure. Make sure to check the list of approved medicines that the obstetrician lists, or call to verify which medications are safe. Don't take anything before checking with the doctor, since some over the counter medications can be dangerous to the fetus.

4. Try other treatments. There are several remedies for sinus pressure that involve no medication. Heat applied to the sinus area relieves pressure for some. Eye masks, whether cool from the fridge or warmed in the microwave, can ease pressure around the eyes. Ice packs applied to the sinus area can reduce inflammation and relieve sinus pressure. Sometimes steaming up a bathroom by running a hot shower can drain the sinuses and relieve the pressure in them.

5. Ask about prescriptions. If the sinus pressure is unbearable, and all other options don't work, consider prescription medication. Talk to the obstetrician, and discuss which, if any, medications are appropriate in the situation. Make sure that any prescription medication considered is safe for use during pregnancy. Discuss which class the medication falls in with the doctor, and look only at medications that are safe if possible.

Resources

• Home Remedies for Sinus Problems