Patient's question:
Detailed condition: Imaging findings: Symmetrical chest cage, increased lung markings, normal pulmonary hilum morphology, small cardiac shadow, no special findings in the mediastinum, smooth diaphragmatic surfaces, sharp costophrenic angles, no other obvious abnormalities. Heart: Sinus tachycardia, clockwise transposition. Current general condition: Needs to take cough medicine every day, frequently catches colds, sweats slightly with minimal movement, sometimes sweats even while sleeping. Often feels weak in the legs and feet. Medical history: Colds caused by getting drenched in rain during middle school days, lasting for 10 years. Previous diagnosis: Asthma. Question: We want to have children. She needs to take cough medicine every day. Does this affect pregnancy? Does it affect the health of the baby? What should we pay attention to now?Doctor's answer:
Hello! First of all, I wish you a speedy pregnancy! I will discuss the topic of "Asthma and Fertility" with you. Foreign research indicates that women with a history of asthma have a 35% chance of worsening during pregnancy, 28% chance of improvement, and 33% chance of no change. If severe asthma is not treated promptly and appropriately, it poses a risk to both the mother and the fetus; however, pregnant women with properly controlled asthma have pregnancy outcomes similar to those without asthma. From the perspective of eugenics and health, the focus of asthma care during pregnancy is prevention over treatment, and it is called upon for women with a history of asthma to strengthen their awareness of the important information presented in this article.1) Rapid increase in asthma patients, pregnancy asthma should not be ignored
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the respiratory tract, characterized by bronchial inflammation and spasm triggered by allergens. The incidence of asthma during pregnancy is about 4%, and it is not to be ignored that the global incidence of asthma has been rapidly increasing. According to the survey conducted by Linkou Chang Gung Children's Hospital, the incidence of asthma among schoolchildren in Taipei has increased from 1.3% in 1974, 12.7% in 1996, to 19.8% in 2002, a 15-fold increase over 28 years. It is estimated that the incidence of asthma during pregnancy is also showing an upward trend. If severe asthma during pregnancy is not treated promptly and appropriately, it poses a risk to both the mother and the fetus!
2) Properly controlled asthma can lead to a healthy baby, while delayed treatment can endanger the lives of both mother and child
Poorly controlled asthma poses significant risks to both the mother and the fetus. Asthma symptoms may worsen during weeks 29–36 of pregnancy, and severe asthma can cause the mother to experience hypoxia, putting the fetus at risk of asphyxiation. When the body faces insufficient oxygen exchange, a series of compensatory mechanisms are triggered, including attempts to increase the volume of blood pumped by the heart and rapid breathing to meet the oxygen demands of the mother and fetus. At this time, the heart must work harder and faster, causing blood vessels to constrict and blood pressure to rise. Accelerated breathing aims to obtain more oxygen, but prolonged hyperventilation increases blood alkalinity, which can worsen the condition (e.g., uterine vessel contraction), reduce venous return, and further deplete oxygen supply to the fetus. Simultaneously, it triggers the release of large amounts of adrenaline, exacerbating high blood pressure. Over time, this leads to inadequate compensation, severe hypoxia, and aggravated metabolic acidosis, ultimately posing a life-threatening risk. Large-scale foreign research indicates that asthma is associated with higher rates of fetal death, premature birth, maternal hypertension, gestational diabetes, amniotic cavity infection, premature rupture of membranes, and antenatal and postnatal bleeding compared to the control group. However, immediate treatment during asthma attacks is crucial, and the health of infants born to properly controlled asthmatic mothers is similar to that of those without asthma.
3) Women can use the following criteria to assess whether their asthma is well-controlled as a principle for preparing for pregnancy:
1. No asthma symptoms during physical activity.
2. No asthma symptoms waking them up during sleep.
3. Peak expiratory flow rate measurements show the best personal expiratory flow.
4) Clinically, doctors follow these principles for managing asthmatic pregnant women:
1. Prevention is key, avoiding allergen triggers as much as possible.
2. Early intervention during asthma attacks.
3. Continuous and regular medication use.
5) How can pregnant women prevent asthma attacks?
1. Get the flu vaccine to prevent exacerbation due to influenza.
2. Take preventive measures before exercise.
3. Avoid environmental triggers.
4. Avoid smoking.
6) Asthmatic mothers are more likely to have asthmatic babies
Research shows that if either parent has asthma, the child has a 1 in 5 chance of developing asthma. If both parents have asthma, the child has a 2 in 3 chance of becoming an asthmatic. Recent foreign studies suggest that if a pregnant woman has a vaginal infection with Staphylococcus aureus, the risk of having an asthmatic child may increase twofold, and the risk can be reduced by using antibiotics.
Love tip: Asthmatic pregnant women are considered high-risk pregnancies. For women with a history of asthma (even if it has resolved previously, it still counts), it is essential to strengthen self-care during pregnancy, prevent early, and treat immediately to minimize or eliminate potential complications.
If you find this answer satisfactory, please do not disappoint me with my good intentions and promptly click "Accept as Answer."