ASTHMA MEDICATIONS DURING PREGNANCY

Women with asthma used to be discouraged from becoming pregnant, but advances in medication have made pregnancy extremely possible. Yet like all other aspects of pregnancy, it can change the natural course of asthma. Asthma symptoms can worsen, improve, or remain unchanged. The general principles of asthma therapy can be followed during pregnancy, with these guidelines:

■ Inhaled selective beta-adrenergic drugs - generally safe during pregnancy

■ Theophylline - safe during pregnancy but requires close monitoring

■ ICS - considered safe during pregnancy

■ Ipratropium - considered safe during pregnancy

■ Corticosteroids - given orally or intravenously, low risk of complications; given only when clinically necessary (Possible fetal complications: congenital malformations, low birth weight, and
adrenal gland malfunction; maternal risks: diabetes or hypertension)

■ Leukotriene modifiers - have not been tested on humans and generally discouraged

■ Antihistamines for asthma that is allergy induced or decongestants used for corresponding congestion - can be used but only when absolutely necessary and under a doctor’s care

Sinus Tips:

Surgical Treatments

There are no surgical treatments that can control asthma symptoms, but for patients who suffer from both sinus disease that requires surgery and asthma, I have found that these pat

Lifestyle Changes

Asthma related to allergies and CAID can be controlled, and often prevented, through avoidance and education. If you can recognize your triggers, as well as your trigger symptoms,

Children and Asthma

Children usually experience complete remission from asthma more frequently than adults do. Between 30 and 70 percent of children who develop asthma either improve or are totally as

ASTHMA MEDICATIONS DURING PREGNANCY

Women with asthma used to be discouraged from becoming pregnant, but advances in medication have made pregnancy extremely possible. Yet like all other aspects of pregnancy, it can

OXYGEN

During an acute attack, it is necessary to administer oxygen continuously until the flare-up is completely over. As described earlier, during an asthma flare-up, your oxygen levels

ORAL CORTICOSTEROIDS

Steroids in an oral or intravenous form are used to treat a range of asthma attacks. Their role is to reduce the inflammation of the bronchial tube’s lining, thus reducing the ac