Category Archives: health,information

What is Pregnancy Rhinitis? 

Pregnancy rhinitis is a condition of nasal symptoms during pregnancy. The mucus linings inside the nose get inflamed due to hormonal changes as the pregnant body’s immune system adjusts to how it reacts to foreign bodies. Here are the characteristics of pregnancy rhinitis:

• Not present before pregnancy
• Occurs during the second or third trimester
• Has a duration of six weeks or greater
• Has no signs of allergy or infection in the upper airways
• The symptoms disappear after two weeks after delivery

Continuing below, we answer the common questions of pregnant people as they experience a stuffy nose:

Is Pregnancy Rhinitis Dangerous for My Unborn Baby?

No, pregnancy rhinitis does not affect the developing fetus. But its symptoms, such as congestion, can make it difficult for the pregnant person to sleep. See our Treatment section on addressing symptoms that can affect daily living.  

What Causes Pregnancy Rhinitis? 

It is presupposed that placental growth hormone, estrogen, and progesterone cause nasal mucosa hypertrophy and inflammation.

Risk factors for developing pregnancy rhinitis are smoking and having higher immunoglobulin levels to House dust mites. 

When Does Pregnancy Rhinitis Start?

Pregnancy rhinitis commonly happens in the second or third trimesters (week 13 to the end of the pregnancy).

How Long Does Pregnancy Rhinitis Last?

Pregnancy rhinitis can last for six or more weeks. The symptoms can appear and lessen throughout that duration. It will then clear out within two weeks after delivery. 

Common Symptoms During Pregnancy: Pregnancy Rhinitis vs. Allergic Rhinitis vs. Common Cold 

Pregnancy rhinitis shares symptoms with allergic rhinitis and the common cold, such as:

• Congestion as the primary symptom
• Runny nose
• Sneezing
• Phlegm in the throat
• Cough
• Difficulty breathing
• Snoring from difficulty breathing during sleep
• Pressure in the ears
• Altered sense of smell due to congestion

Pregnancy rhinitis doesn’t have the following symptoms that allergic rhinitis has:

• Itchy mouth, eyes, or skin

Pregnancy rhinitis doesn’t have signs of virus infection, which common colds have:

• Yellow or green mucus
• Low-grade fever
• Mild body or headaches
• The feeling of being unwell

Safe and Effective Treatment Options 

Careful consideration is vital for the safety of both the parent and the unborn baby. Since pregnancy rhinitis will go away on its own, the goal is to manage the symptoms of congestion and difficulty sleeping for the pregnant person’s comfort.

Gentle exercise

As the body goes through hormonal changes, fluids increase and cause swelling, including in the nasal passages. Low-impact regular exercise (like walking) can encourage the drainage of fluids and regulate sleep.

Positioning

Elevating your sleeping mattress to a 45-degree promotes congestion relief. It decreases fluids pooling in the nose that disturbs sleep.

Steaming

Breathing in steam can promote the loosening of mucus in the throat. It is commonly done by sitting in front of a bowl of steaming hot Water and bending over it with a towel draped over the head. But it can also be done by closing the shower area and turning on the hot shower for those who have difficulty bending over while sitting. 

Saline Nasal Lavage

Nasal irrigation or lavage involves emptying the clog into a nostril with saline solution from a neti pot, bulb syringe, or squeezable rinse bottle. The saline solution can be premade or made from salt and sterile water (water boiled for a minute and allowed to cool).

Nasal Valve Dilators

Over-the-counter nasal valve dilators open the nasal passageways so that people with poor nasal breathing can improve airflow and sleep with less snoring. They are called internal nasal dilators because they are inserted inside the nose to open the nostrils. Choose nasal dilators made of medical-grade silicon as they are easy to clean and anti-bacterial.

Drug Use and Precautions for Pregnancy Rhinitis

If conservative treatment doesn’t work, your doctor may consider drug treatment. Medication is used depending on the severity of the pregnant person’s symptoms. Always check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any medicine while pregnant.

Puget Sound Sinus Center: Your Partner in Pregnancy Rhinitis Care 

Pregnancy rhinitis congests your nose and causes difficulty in sleeping. The symptoms can be managed with conservative treatment to make you comfortable. If you have symptoms of allergic rhinitis or a common cold, please do not hesitate to schedule an appointment with your doctor. Here at Puget Sound Sinus Center, we ensure holistic and patient-centered care for better health.

Dr. Amy Anstead

What is a Deviated Septum?

A septum in a deviated septum is the nasal septum or cartilage that divides the inside of your nose into the left and right chambers. 

When the septum deviates from its midline, it causes congestion and difficulty breathing in the smaller chamber. It also causes drying, crusting, or bleeding in the larger chamber.

Common Causes of Deviated Septum

Most people have deviated septums that cause no to minor symptoms. However, there are causes of deviated septums that can cause significant symptoms. The following causes are:

Congenital

The deviated septum can have developmental causes. It can occur at birth due to genetic factors such as hereditary connective tissue diseases.  

Nose Injury

The deviated septum can also come from traumatic causes. An injury can cause the nasal septum to be displaced to either side. It can happen due to falls, fights, contact sports, automobile incidents, or rough playing. Nasal injuries can also occur in babies due to difficult childbirth. 

Aging

A deviated septum is a common condition. As a person grows, the nasal septum can grow to one side than the other. 

Recognizing Deviated Septum Symptoms

A deviated septum can have severe symptoms affecting a person’s everyday life.

The wider chamber of the nose, caused by a deviated septum, is more exposed to air. This exposure can lead to nasal drying, leading to nose bleeds. 

The more constricted chamber, caused by a deviated septum, can result in nasal congestion. The following complications occur with nasal congestion:

• Recurring sinus infections or sinusitis
• Sinus pressure
• Headaches
• Face pain
• Noisy breathing
• Snoring
• Sleep apnea or difficulty breathing during sleep
• Difficulty breathing
• Difficulty breathing can lead to chronic mouth breathing
• Chronic mouth breathing can lead to a dry mouth

When Should You See a Doctor?

If your symptoms above do not respond to home remedies or over-the-counter medication, you may want to see a doctor to be healthier and live more comfortably. Furthermore, symptoms such as chronic nasal congestion, recurring sinus infections, and frequent nosebleeds require medical consultation.

Diagnosing a Deviated Septum

To diagnose if a person has a deviated septum, your healthcare provider will review your medical history and do a physical examination. If further examination is needed, they may do the following procedures:

Nasal Endoscopy

First, they apply a decongestant spray with lidocaine to prepare your nasal cavity. Lidocaine helps the patient’s comfort with its numbing properties alongside topical anesthesia.

Then, they will use an extended tube scope attached with a bright light and a small camera to look inside. The tube would be connected to a monitor screen.

At the end of the procedure, they will remove the tube and apply a decongestant spray to the nasal cavity again.

CT Scan

If needed, your healthcare provider may recommend a CT scan of the nose. The imaging test can determine the seriousness of the deviated septum and the severity of the symptoms.

After the diagnosis, you may be referred to a sinus surgeon or an ENT specialist. 

How Sinus Surgery Can Help Correct a Deviated Septum

If medical therapy does not alleviate the symptoms you’re experiencing, surgery to correct the deviated septum can be recommended.

Septoplasty involves repositioning and aligning the nasal septum to the center of the nose. With nasal septum correction, the patient can benefit by having proper airflow inside the nasal cavity to alleviate symptoms. 

Depending on the severity of the condition, the surgery can be an outpatient or inpatient procedure that lasts 1-2 hours. In some cases, a surgeon may recommend sinus surgery to minimize sinus infections or rhinoplasty to reshape the nose.

Expert Care and Surgical Solutions at Puget Sound Sinus Center

If you are experiencing chronic sinus disease or nasal obstruction, your healthcare provider may refer you to a sinus surgeon. As the only Fellowship-trained Rhinologist and Endoscopic Skull Base Surgeon worldwide, Amy Anstead, MD, FARS, provides surgical solutions and state-of-the-art techniques to alleviate severe symptoms people experience from deviated septums. 

At Puget Sound Sinus Center, we aim to provide personalized, holistic, patient-centered care for maximum comfort and healing.

A deviated septum can cause a domino effect of symptoms that can interfere with your breathing, sleeping, and health. Having performed thousands of successful complex sinus surgeries, Dr. Anstead has treated patients to a better Quality of life around the globe. If you’d like to learn more About deviated septums or other sino-nasal surgeries, click the link below! 

Dr. Amy Anstead