Pregnancy Health Information Organization

Respiratory Problems

From early pregnancy, the lungs and diaphragm become compresses in order to accommodate the expanding uterus. Breathing becomes shallower, and any respiratory weakness, such as a tendency to hay fever, may worsen. You may also find yourself more prone to respiratory infections, which can be exacerbated by a poor diet that is full of additives. Symptoms of respiratory problems are streaming eyes, running or blocked nose, sore throat, hoarseness, loss of voice, cough, breathing difficulties, fever, and pain.

Key tips on coping with respiratory problems:

Diet and Nutrition

- Eat plenty of oily fish, nuts and seeds which may alleviate inflammation and allergic reactions
- Vitamin E and Selenium are anti-inflammatory
- Vitamin C is an antihistamine
- Cut down on animal fats and dairy products
- Avoid foods laden with additives, preservatives, or artificial colorants

Complementary Treatments

Yoga
- Can improve breathing control, help expand lungs, reduce stress

Homeopathy
- For burning eyes, frequent sneezing, runny nose, puffy eyelids, and exhaustion, Arsen. Alb. 6c
- For burning nasal mucus, sneezing and eye inflammation, Allium cepa 6c
- For itchy ears, stuffy nose, inflames eyes, and watery mucus, Euphrasia 6c
- For chronic rhinitis, Nux vomica. 6c

Western Herbalism
- Asthma
Ginger, chamomile, elderflower, nettle or thyme tea ( steep 1-2tsp in 2 cups of boiling water for 10 minutes)
Evening primrose oil

- Bronchitis
Thyme or ginger tea
Eat raw garlic and onions

- Hay fever
Chamomile, lavender, nettle tea
Dandelion root tincture

Acupuncture & Traditional Chinese Medicine

Cough

Lung yin deficiency
- Symptoms- a dry, persistent cough that starts during the second trimester and is worse in the evenings, a dry throat, thirst with desire to drink in small sips, 5-palm heat. Tongue: without coating and cracked: the body may be red if there is empty heat or normal if there is no empty heat. Pulse: floating-empty or fine-rapid

Phlegm-Fire in the lungs
- Symptoms- cough that is productive of yellow sputum, a feeling of oppression of the chest. Tongue: swollen with sticky-yellow coating. Pulse: slippery and rapid

Kidneys not grasping the Qi
- Symptoms: chronic cough, no force in expectorating phlegm, chest oppression, shortness of breath, tinnitus, frequent urination, low back ache. Tongue: pale body, thin coating. Pulse: wiry, slippery

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The information on this website is compiled and written by;

Vancouver Pregnancy & labour (labor) Acupuncturist

Raeghan Siemens, R.Ac., DTCM
Raeghan Siemens has always had an interest in medicine;
but she found her true passion in Traditional Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture.
Her special interests are treating Pregnancy related issues and aiding women through labour (labor).

Raeghan practices at Acubalance Wellness Centre Ltd. in Vancouver BC Canada.

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