Manage your blocked nose and congested air passages with straightforward and efficient natural remedies.
During pregnancy, home remedies for colds can provide relief from the bothersome symptoms that often accompany the flu and common cold.
Natural remedies come in handy when you can’t readily rely on your usual over-the-counter medications. While not harmful to the baby, a cold during pregnancy can be quite uncomfortable, especially when coupled with the usual array of hormonal and physical changes.
It’s commonly noted that pregnant women are more susceptible to colds and the flu. Continue reading to learn why this is the case, what the typical cold symptoms are, and which home remedies and medications are safe and effective in managing these symptoms.
Comprehending the Common Cold and Its Symptoms
The common cold is a contagious upper respiratory tract infection caused by various viruses, none of which confer long-lasting immunity. Consequently, individuals can experience repeated infections with these viruses. According to the American Lung Association, colds prompt more doctor visits in the United States than any other health condition.
There are more than 200 different viruses that can be responsible for a cold, including:
- Human rhinoviruses
- Coronaviruses
- Human parainfluenza virus (HPV)
- Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
- Adenovirus
Common cold symptoms typically include:
- A scratchy or sore throat
- Nasal congestion
- Runny nose
- Sneezing
- Cough
- Fatigue
- Mild fever, usually below 100℉
On average, adults experience a cold two to three times a year, while children are even more susceptible to frequent colds. It’s worth noting that colds are also common during pregnancy. Let’s explore why.
What Causes Cold Occurrences During Pregnancy?
Pregnant individuals are at an increased risk of catching a cold due to the suppression of their immune system. During pregnancy, the body’s natural immune response may have difficulty distinguishing between a developing fetus and a virus or other foreign entities, potentially leading to an attack on the fetus by antibodies. To safeguard the fetus from such an immune response, the body’s defense mechanisms are lowered and hindered from acting (3).
While this immunosuppression serves to protect the fetus from internal threats, it also renders the expectant mother more vulnerable to viral infections like the common cold and the flu. Even though the virus cannot reach the womb, you may still experience all the associated symptoms and discomfort of a cold. Therefore, let’s explore simple and safe remedies for alleviating cold symptoms during pregnancy, and enhancing your overall prenatal health.
Top 3 Highly Effective Home Remedies to Relieve Cold Symptoms During Pregnancy
1. Hydration
Maintaining proper hydration is crucial during pregnancy, and it becomes even more essential if you are dealing with a cold. Adequate hydration can help thin mucus and alleviate congestion. Research has demonstrated that consuming warm liquids may offer relief from symptoms like a runny nose, sore throat, chills, fatigue, sneezing, and cough.
On the other hand, beverages at room temperature are primarily effective in relieving a runny nose, cough, and sneezing (4). To ensure you stay well-hydrated and find relief from nasal congestion, aim to drink 8-12 cups of lukewarm or hot water, as well as other warm beverages.
2. Immune-boosting Micronutrients
Essential micronutrients such as vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, iron, selenium, and zinc offer valuable antioxidants and immune system support that can aid in your recovery. Research has indicated that vitamin C, vitamin D, and zinc, in particular, are highly effective in reducing the duration of a cold and mitigating its symptoms (5).
After consulting with your obstetrician-gynecologist, you may choose to incorporate a prenatal vitamin containing all these crucial micronutrients. Alternatively, you can obtain them by including nutrient-rich foods in your diet, such as carrots, bell peppers, pumpkin seeds, strawberries, mangoes, collard greens, cantaloupes, Brussels sprouts, and asparagus.
3. Chicken Soup
Chicken soup has a long-standing tradition as a favored home remedy for treating the common cold. Research has revealed that chicken soup can help mitigate cold symptoms by inhibiting specific immune responses (6). Additionally, a study comparing the effects of hot fluids on cold symptoms indicated that hot chicken soup was the most effective in alleviating nasal congestion (7).
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