Can pregnant women take Banlangen Granules?

Isatis root is a very good Chinese medicinal material, and it is relatively common on the hillside. Not only can isatis root be used directly as a Chinese medicinal material, but there is also the common isatis root powder on the market, which is very effective in preventing colds. Especially after catching a cold, you can quickly drink a packet of Isatis root powder. But pregnant women know that they cannot take random medicines, so can pregnant women drink Isatis Root Granules?

Can pregnant women take Isatis root granules when they have a cold?

What medicine a pregnant woman takes for a cold may affect the safety of the fetus, so it must be treated with caution and it is best to use the medicine under the guidance of a doctor.

1. Anti-cold medicine: Most of them are compound preparations containing multiple ingredients. Common ones include Quick-acting Cold Capsules, Ganmaotong, Contac, Baijiahei, Kangbid, Kegankang, Kuake, etc. Most of these medicines contain histamines and should not be taken during pregnancy, especially before 4 weeks of pregnancy. Cold medicine is mainly symptomatic, it only treats the symptoms but not the root cause, and it is not safe for pregnant women, so experts recommend that pregnant women should not use anti-cold medicine.

2. Antiviral drugs: They have adverse effects on the fetus and should not be used by pregnant women. If they must be used, they should be used under the guidance of a doctor.

3. Antipyretics: A cold accompanied by high fever usually indicates a serious illness and you should see a doctor immediately. Indomethacin is a fever-reducing drug that is contraindicated for pregnant women, and aspirin should not be used after 32 weeks of pregnancy.

4. Antibiotics: If there is no clear evidence of bacterial infection in pregnant women with colds, such as tonsillitis, high blood pressure, coughing up yellow sputum, thick runny nose, etc., antibiotics are not needed. Because antibiotics can pass through the placenta and enter the fetus, there is a 20%-40% chance of causing harm to the fetus. Safe antibiotics should be chosen under the guidance of a doctor.

5. Expectorants and cough suppressants: Generally safe, but cough suppressants containing iodine preparations should not be used by pregnant women.

Causes of colds in pregnant women

1. Changes in physical condition after pregnancy

In the early stages of pregnancy, physical conditions change and pregnancy reactions intensify, leading to morning sickness, anorexia, poor sleep, etc. At the same time, the body is deprived and exercise is reduced, which can easily lead to a decrease in immunity, making it easier for cold germs to invade the body. This is also the reason why some pregnant women catch colds repeatedly in the early stages of pregnancy and feel that their physical fitness is not as good as before.

2. Changes in respiratory mucosa

After a woman becomes pregnant, the respiratory mucosa will become edematous and hypertrophic, making her more prone to cold symptoms.

3. Changes in respiratory function

At 18 weeks, the pregnant woman's oxygen consumption increases by 10-20% (50% of which is consumed by the fetus). The lung ventilation volume increases by 40%. In order to meet the oxygen demand of the pregnant woman herself and the fetus, pregnant women often hyperventilate. The fetus has no respiratory function in the mother's body and relies entirely on the mother to inhale oxygen and expel carbon dioxide, so pregnant women often feel shortness of breath and difficulty breathing. Due to excessive ventilation, inhalation of more dust, and changes in the respiratory mucosa, it is easy to catch a cold.

4. Reduced systemic or respiratory defense function

Catching cold, getting caught in the rain, sudden climate changes, excessive fatigue, etc. can reduce the body's or respiratory tract's local defense function, causing germs or bacteria that already exist in the upper respiratory tract or invade from the outside to multiply rapidly, thus inducing a cold.