Pregnancy is a special physiological condition where the use of medication presents a special concern as the medication may reach the foetus and cause harm. However, total avoidance of medication in pregnancy may not be possible and could be dangerous. Any medicine taken during pregnancy should be used at the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible time.

Tips for medication use during pregnancy

• Never start or stop taking medication before consulting your doctor
• Keep a record of the medication taken during pregnancy or when you are expecting
• Never share your medications
• Do not skip your medication as it may be more harmful to the mother and the foetus
• When in doubt, consult your doctor or pharmacist about the benefits and risks of the medication

Concerns on Breastfeeding and Maternal Medication Use

Some medication can pass into the breast milk. The amount transferred into the breast milk depends on many factors, including the chemical properties of the medication.

In general, there are very few medications that are absolutely contraindicated during breastfeeding. These medications that present in breast milk may pose risks to the baby while some can affect the supply and composition of the breast milk.

What is “Pump and Dump”?

The “pump and dump” method involves expressing and disposing of the breast milk. It is recommended that this technique be used until at least 3 hours after the last intake of the medicine that is not suitable for use when breastfeeding.

Benefits of this method

Relieves breast fullness or engorgement
Ensuring breast milk supply

What does CFU mean?
CFU stands for “colony forming units” and is used to quantify how many bacteria in probiotics are capable of dividing and forming colonies.

Does more CFU mean better?
The dose needed for probiotics varies greatly depending on the strain and product although many are in the range of 1–10 billion CFU per dose.

Do probiotics have side effects?
Side effects are typically mild, temporary and often a sign that the probiotics are working and are often part of the natural cleansing process, for example, minor constipation, mild diarrhoea, mild rash, cramps, and gas.

How long do I need to take probiotics?
It is recommended to take probiotics daily between 2 weeks to 2 months to fully re-colonize the bowel’s healthy bacteria.

Are probiotic supplements safe for pregnant or nursing mothers?
Probiotic supplementation during pregnancy improves newborn’s immunity and decreases allergies. For nursing infants, immunity and allergy improvements have also been observed. Always check with your doctor or pharmacist to confirm that any supplement, including probiotics, are safe for use during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Allergic rhinitis can affect school work and sports performance

• The nasal congestion caused by allergic rhinitis may affect the child’s quality of sleep. This would affect their concentration the following day.
• As the child’s breathing quality is affected, their ability to exercise and play sports is also compromised.

What are the management strategies for allergic rhinitis?

Besides seeking medical attention, the first approach is to identify the triggers and minimize exposure.

Outdoor exposure

• Wear mask and glasses
• Avoid hanging clothes outside

Indoor exposure

• Mites – use “mite-proof” covers, wash linens and curtains with hot water
• Mould – use dehumidifier

Pet dander exposure

• Wash hands after petting animals
• Keep pets outside

Nasal irrigation is used to rinse off the allergens and is effective in approximately 50% of patients with allergic rhinitis.

Reference

1. http://emedicine.medscape.com
2. http://acaai.org/allergies/types/hay-fever-rhinitis

What is Lactose Intolerance?
Lactose intolerance is when the body cannot digest lactose which results in gastrointestinal symptoms.

What causes lactose intolerance?

• It occurs when the small intestines do not produce enough lactase (enzyme) to digest lactose (milk sugar). Lactose is then fermented by bacteria and produces unpleasant symptoms.
• Lactose intolerance in children is often caused by an infection in the digestive system, and will only last a few weeks.