As the saying goes, too much of a good thing is never good. Once the effect of a decongestant nasal spray wears off, the nasal congestion that returns can be far more severe. Excessive use of nasal sprays can lead to a tolerance build-up. Therefore, you should not use nasal sprays for more than five consecutive days. The phrase refers to congestion or rhinitis that is explicitly caused by medication. In this instance, the excessive use of nasal spray decongestants is the cause of congestion.
With that said, prescription nasal sprays containing steroids do not cause a rebound effect and can be used on a daily basis for years. More often than not, these steroid sprays are not decongestants, but rather treatments for nasal allergies. Because they are stimulants by nature, decongestants have some related potential side effects. When used correctly, most people do not experience any of the side effects of decongestants. If you have high blood pressure, it is important that you consult your doctor before taking decongestants.
This is because decongestants may constrict your blood vessels in a manner that exacerbates underlying health conditions. Seeking the advice of a doctor may help you to avoid any potentially life-threatening side effects. Since they are applied directly into your nose, nasal sprays are not absorbed into your bloodstream in significant amounts, unlike oral decongestants like pills.
However, they come with the drawback of a risk of dependency. If you have health conditions such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, thyroid disease or an enlarged prostate, take note that your condition could be made worse by the use of decongestants.
Multiple decongestants may have similar active ingredients that add up to be too much medicine and taking more than the recommended amount can be dangerous.
If you are taking any other medication, err on the safe side and ask your doctor if it is safe for you to use decongestants. Drugs from certain classes such as monoamine oxidase inhibitors MAOIs may cause dangerous drug interaction problems when consumed with decongestants.
Read more about how you can protect your family from diabetes here. By adding moisture to the air in your surroundings, humidifiers ensure that your nasal passage is filled with the moisture that it needs. This will help loosen up nasal secretions and soothe your inflamed nasal passageways, giving you some much-needed shut-eye. You can even add essential oils like eucalyptus oil to help reduce stuffiness. Eucalyptus oil contains cineole, an ingredient reputed to help with the treatment of acute sinusitis.
Congestion tends to be worse at night because it is difficult for the nose and sinuses to drain. Another simple remedy is to prop your head up on a few pillows when sleeping to help the sinuses drain more easily. It will also encourage mucus secretions to flow gently out of your nasal passages.
Exercising may help you feel better by opening your nasal passages and temporarily relieving nasal congestion. Instead of making it harder for you to breathe, exercising can make breathing easier by improving blood circulation that clears sinus pressure. Some states even have limits on how much medication their pharmacies can sell daily.
Depending on the state you live in, you might also need a prescription from a doctor to buy Sudafed. If prescribed, you can find coupons for Sudafed on SingleCare. Because these drugs are often found in combination with other drugs and often do contain Sudafed , ask your pharmacist for help selecting an OTC medication that is appropriate for you, considering any medical conditions or other medications you take.
Aside from medications, many people use natural and home remedies to help with their sinus pressure, pain, and congestion. Running a humidifier at home can help with nasal congestion, and so can using a neti pot, which uses a saline solution to clear sinuses. Skip to main content Search for a topic or drug. What is Sudafed and what is it used for? By SingleCare Team Mar. Top Reads in Drug Info. Can you mix Trintellix and alcohol?
Does hydroxyzine for anxiety work? Do coffee and Zoloft mix? Treating heartburn during pregnancy Oct. Talk to your physician about your symptoms. Allergy tests can help determine if you are allergic to any environmental or food items. Coronavirus Important Information. Decongestants A decongestant helps reduce swelling in the nasal passageways by shrinking the blood vessels.
A doctor can also talk to you about prescription antihistamines, and — if your symptoms persist — immunotherapy, which can help desensitize you to what's causing a reaction in the first place. Most importantly, talk to your pharmacist and a board-certified allergist. Follow Tech Insider on Facebook and Twitter. For you. World globe An icon of the world globe, indicating different international options. Get the Insider App.
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