They may also be available as a combined tablet that contains a decongestant and a painkiller such as paracetamol. There are a number of other options that are sometimes used to treat nasal congestion. For example, the following may be helpful:. Most decongestants cause the small blood vessels in your nose, throat and sinuses to become narrower. This reduces the swelling and thickness of the lining of your nose.
As it is this swelling causing the congestion, the medication improves the blocked-up feeling. Decongestant nasal sprays have an immediate effect to clear a blocked nose. Oral tablets and capsules may take a little longer to work because they need to be absorbed into the body from the guts.
Find out if you are eligible today. As discussed above, these medicines may be used or prescribed by your doctor to ease nasal congestion for people with the common cold, sinusitis, hay fever, other allergies or rhinitis. If you have hay fever, they are helpful to use for a few days to clear a blocked nose when you first use a steroid nasal spray. The steroid can then get to the lining of the nose more effectively.
If you have acute sinusitis, decongestants can relieve symptoms whilst you are waiting for your immune system to clear the infection. However, they are not thought to shorten the duration of sinusitis.
Decongestant nasal sprays and nose drops should only be used for about days at a time. If they are used for longer than this a rebound, more severe congestion of the nose often develops. Oxymetazoline and xylometazoline nasal preparations are thought to be more likely to cause rebound nasal congestion because they are the strongest.
Oral decongestants are not thought to cause this problem when they are stopped. Decongestant sprays and drops are thought to work better than oral tablets or capsules. These medicines should not be used in children under 6 years old. The risk of side-effects is higher than any benefit they may have. For children aged 6 to 12, decongestants can be used but are only sold in pharmacies with the advice of a pharmacist.
It is important to remember that some medicines that you can buy to treat colds or sinusitis contain other medicines as well. For example, some may contain paracetamol or ibuprofen and some contain alcohol. This is important if you are already taking paracetamol or ibuprofen to help the symptoms of your infection for example, a high temperature. You may take too much paracetamol or ibuprofen overdose without realising. Taking too much paracetamol can damage your liver.
You should also not use these decongestants while you are taking a certain type of antidepressant called a monoamine-oxidase inhibitor MAOI and for two weeks after you stop it. This is because, when taken at the same time as an MAOI antidepressant, decongestants may cause very large increases in blood pressure. Most people are able to take or use these medicines with very few, or no, side-effects.
If side-effects do occur, they usually go away after a few days. Although they might have separate active ingredients, you may still put yourself at risk for an interaction. Most people take decongestants in a pill form. Nasal sprays feature a decongestant that is delivered directly into the nasal cavities. Your body may grow dependent on them, and then the products will no longer be effective in alleviating congestion.
Nasal spray decongestants may provide temporary relief from congestion. Examples of these nasal sprays include:. Studies have shown that the combination of an antihistamine drug and a decongestant is better at relieving the symptoms of allergic rhinitis due to seasonal inhalant allergies.
These drugs only offer symptomatic relief and should be used with some caution. But they can be important weapons in the ongoing battle against the misery of allergies. You should also call a doctor if you develop a fever or severe sinus pain. This could indicate sinusitis or a more severe condition. An allergist can help you determine the exact causes of your congestion and recommend methods of more long-term relief. Prescription decongestants may be necessary for the most severe cases.
Your nasal spray could be doing more harm than good. Find out where rhinitis medicamentosa comes in and what you can do to prevent it. If you're experiencing pain in your sinuses or other symptoms, you could have a sinus infection. Rhinosinusitis, or just sinusitis, occurs when your…. Nasal decongestants can cause rebound congestion.
In short, this occurs when the medication squeezes blood from your nasal tissues. It seems like you…. Neti pots have been used for many years as a remedy for allergies and other conditions. Learn what the benefits are and how to practice nasal…. Researchers say allergic reactions to COVID vaccines are rare, and any such incidents can easily be treated at the vaccination site.
Learn more here. Mold is a type of fungus that grows in moist areas and can trigger allergic reactions. Some states have more requirements for medicines containing pseudoephedrine. When your body detects a virus, the flu, sinusitis, or allergies, it sends extra blood to the blood vessels in the nose to fight the problem. This leads to swelling of the blood vessels and tissue in your nose.
It makes you feel stuffy. It can be hard to breathe through your nose. Decongestants work by narrowing the blood vessels in your nose. Swollen tissue inside the nose shrinks, and air can pass through more easily. Before you take OTC decongestants, read the directions on the drug facts label. It will tell you how much medicine to take and how often to take it.
If you have any questions, call your doctor. If using a liquid decongestant, use the measuring spoon that came with the medicine. This spoon is the right size for the dose you need. If you need to go to the doctor, take this list with you. Store all medicines up and away, out of reach and sight of young children. Keep medicines in a cool, dry place. This helps prevent them from becoming less effective before their expiration dates. These locations are often hot and humid.
Like any medicine, decongestants can sometimes cause side effects. They can temporarily cause nervousness, dizziness, and sleeping problems. They can cause heart palpitations feeling like your heart is racing or higher blood pressure. If decongestants make you feel restless or make it difficult for you to sleep, you may want to avoid taking them at bedtime.
It also may help to cut back on caffeine. Or you may need to discontinue the medicine. Talk to your doctor about any questions. Taking decongestants can raise your blood pressure even if it is controlled or nearly normal. You may need to look for an alternative to decongestants. Instead, there are other ways you can treat their symptoms:.
Decongestants can interact with many other medicines you take. If you take any of the medicines listed below, talk to your doctor before taking a decongestant:.
0コメント