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17 Should i Change my dieT? During pregnancy it is important to have a healthy, balanced diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables. This will help make sure that your baby gets all the nutrition they need. There is no convincing evidence that avoiding any foods during pregnancy will help prevent your baby from developing asthma. WiTh hAy fever AnD perenniAL ALLerGiC rhiniTis Hay fever is a seasonal condition. It is sometimes called 'seasonal allergic rhinitis'. People with hay fever are allergic to pollen and spores. Pollen is the tiny, dust-like particles given off by certain types of trees, grasses, weeds and flowers. Spores are given off by fungi and moulds. In some people, hay fever-like symptoms occur all year round. This condition is called 'perennial allergic rhinitis' (or perennial rhinitis). This is usually caused by an allergy to allergens present in everyday life, such as house- dust mites, furry or feathery animals, certain chemicals or some foods. If you have an allergy, your body reacts when you come into contact with certain allergens. As soon as you inhale them, or if they get into your eyes, they irritate the sensitive linings of your nose, throat and eyes. This causes the symptoms of hay fever or perennial rhinitis to appear. Typical symptoms of hay fever and perennial rhinitis are: • sneezing • itchy, blocked or runny nose • red, itchy or watery eyes • itchy throat, inner ear or mouth • headaches • a loss of concentration and generally feeling unwell Different people will experience different symptoms. some people might experience all the symptoms. Others might experience only a couple. Allergens can also trigger asthma symptoms: tight chest, shortness of breath, coughing and wheezing. If this happens to you, speak to your doctor as soon as possible. Your doctor will give you medicines to help you control these symptoms. DUrinG mensTrUAL CyCLe Could my peRiodS affeCT my aSThma? If you have noticed that your asthma is harder to control at certain times of the month, you are not alone. Studies have shown that around one third of women think their symptoms are worse just before or during menstruation. This link seems to be stronger in women with severe asthma.