everhealthy
04-13-2005, 09:32 PM
Asthma affects more than 20 million Americans and can be a serious problem for pregnant women. Avoiding asthma triggers, taking medication as prescribed and working with your physician will ensure you and your baby's health, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI).
"Asthma is one of the most common medical problems to occur in pregnant women," said Michael Schatz, MD, FAAAAI, an expert on the management of allergies and asthma during pregnancy. "If you work with your allergist/immunologist to control your asthma during pregnancy, you should be just as likely as anyone else to have a normal pregnancy and a healthy baby."
Uncontrolled asthma can be a threat to maternal well being and fetal growth and survival. Asthma can cause a decrease in the oxygen content of the mother's blood.
"Your baby is dependent on the mother for oxygen, but if asthma is not controlled, the mother's lack of oxygen could hurt the baby," Schatz said. "If asthma is controlled during pregnancy, there should be no increased risk."
Asthma tends to worsen in the late second and early third trimesters; however, some women may experience fewer symptoms during the last four weeks of pregnancy. In fact, studies have demonstrated that asthma symptoms get worse in one third of women and improve in another third during pregnancy. Troublesome asthma during labor and delivery is rare in women whose asthma has been adequately controlled during pregnancy.
Variations in asthma severity are another reason for a pregnant woman to stay in close contact with her allergist/immunologist, so he or she can monitor the asthma closely and alter medication or dosages if necessary.
The AAAAI recommends the following to decrease the likelihood of acute asthma symptoms:
* Avoid asthma triggers, including specific allergens such as house dust mites, cockroach allergen, indoor mold, animal dander and irritants such as cigarette smoke.
* Manage asthma with proper medications. People with asthma have inflamed airways that can become even more inflamed after exposure to various triggers. The main purpose of asthma medications is to reduce this inflammation.
* Studies have demonstrated that most inhaled asthma medications can be used during pregnancy. The risks of uncontrolled asthma are far greater than the risks associated with necessary asthma medications."
Women with asthma should see their allergist/immunologist as soon as possible to learn about managing their asthma during pregnancy. They will be able to prescribe effective asthma and allergy medications that are appropriate to use during pregnancy, and will continue to ensure treatment is effective without side effects. To find an allergist/immunologist or to learn more about asthma and pregnancy, call the AAAAI's Physician Referral and Information Line at (800) 822-2762 or visit the AAAAI Web site at www.aaaai.org.
The AAAAI is the largest professional medical specialty organization in the United States representing allergists, asthma specialists, clinical immunologists, allied health professionals and others with a special interest in the research and treatment of allergic disease. Allergy/immunology specialists are pediatric or internal medicine physicians who have elected an additional two years of training to become specialized in the treatment of asthma, allergy and immunologic disease. Established in 1943, the AAAAI has more than 6,000 members in the United States, Canada and 60 other countries. The AAAAI serves as an advocate to the public by providing educational information through its Web site at www.aaaai.org.
Source: American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI) (http://www.aaaai.org/media/news_releases/2003/09/090203.stm)
"Asthma is one of the most common medical problems to occur in pregnant women," said Michael Schatz, MD, FAAAAI, an expert on the management of allergies and asthma during pregnancy. "If you work with your allergist/immunologist to control your asthma during pregnancy, you should be just as likely as anyone else to have a normal pregnancy and a healthy baby."
Uncontrolled asthma can be a threat to maternal well being and fetal growth and survival. Asthma can cause a decrease in the oxygen content of the mother's blood.
"Your baby is dependent on the mother for oxygen, but if asthma is not controlled, the mother's lack of oxygen could hurt the baby," Schatz said. "If asthma is controlled during pregnancy, there should be no increased risk."
Asthma tends to worsen in the late second and early third trimesters; however, some women may experience fewer symptoms during the last four weeks of pregnancy. In fact, studies have demonstrated that asthma symptoms get worse in one third of women and improve in another third during pregnancy. Troublesome asthma during labor and delivery is rare in women whose asthma has been adequately controlled during pregnancy.
Variations in asthma severity are another reason for a pregnant woman to stay in close contact with her allergist/immunologist, so he or she can monitor the asthma closely and alter medication or dosages if necessary.
The AAAAI recommends the following to decrease the likelihood of acute asthma symptoms:
* Avoid asthma triggers, including specific allergens such as house dust mites, cockroach allergen, indoor mold, animal dander and irritants such as cigarette smoke.
* Manage asthma with proper medications. People with asthma have inflamed airways that can become even more inflamed after exposure to various triggers. The main purpose of asthma medications is to reduce this inflammation.
* Studies have demonstrated that most inhaled asthma medications can be used during pregnancy. The risks of uncontrolled asthma are far greater than the risks associated with necessary asthma medications."
Women with asthma should see their allergist/immunologist as soon as possible to learn about managing their asthma during pregnancy. They will be able to prescribe effective asthma and allergy medications that are appropriate to use during pregnancy, and will continue to ensure treatment is effective without side effects. To find an allergist/immunologist or to learn more about asthma and pregnancy, call the AAAAI's Physician Referral and Information Line at (800) 822-2762 or visit the AAAAI Web site at www.aaaai.org.
The AAAAI is the largest professional medical specialty organization in the United States representing allergists, asthma specialists, clinical immunologists, allied health professionals and others with a special interest in the research and treatment of allergic disease. Allergy/immunology specialists are pediatric or internal medicine physicians who have elected an additional two years of training to become specialized in the treatment of asthma, allergy and immunologic disease. Established in 1943, the AAAAI has more than 6,000 members in the United States, Canada and 60 other countries. The AAAAI serves as an advocate to the public by providing educational information through its Web site at www.aaaai.org.
Source: American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI) (http://www.aaaai.org/media/news_releases/2003/09/090203.stm)