Asthma is a serious respiratory disease in which the airways get affected and then swell up. The inflammation reduces the flow of air to the lungs, and this leads to various symptoms like tightness in the chest, coughing, breathlessness and wheezing.
Is asthma common during pregnancy?
Asthma is quite common amongst pregnant women, however the way it affects every woman is different. If you had asthma before you conceived and have been taking medicines to control the symptoms then we suggest you speak with your doctor again and evaluate the treatment plan. You have to make sure that both you and your baby are safe and that the medicines should heal you and not harm the baby.
Research has shown that one in ten women can get an asthma attack while they are in labor and most suffer from symptoms between 24 to 34 weeks of pregnancy.
Symptoms
Every person can experience the symptoms differently. Some pregnant women become better during pregnancy while others can suffer from severe symptoms. Some of the common symptoms of asthma include shortness of breath, stuffy nose, a consistent cough, rapid breathing, tightness of the chest and wheezing.
Symptoms could be mild or severe. These might also be accompanied with insomnia, exhaustion and headache. We suggest you visit your doctor immediately, if you begin to experience any of the symptoms.
Causes
Generally asthma is triggered off by pollen, dust mites, spores, mould, pet fur or tobacco smoke. Cold air or polluted air can also cause an asthma attack. The trigger activates Immunoglobulin E antibodies that then produce histamine as well as chemical mediators. These chemicals can inflame the lining of the lungs as well as contract the airways and produce mucus.
Controlling asthma during pregnancy: