[KDI Healthcare Room: Health Information for April, 2019]

 

 

Hello!

 

Spring is just around the corner and I hope you are excited to enjoy the beauty of this beautiful season.

 

Spring, although full of beauty, could be bothersome for some people, especially those who have seasonal allergies. There are many OTC medications available to relieve symptoms of allergic rhinitis such as runny or nasal congestion. Today I want to share some information about Nasal Spray, often used for a stuffy nose.

 

 

Why do some allergy medicines make you sleepy?

 

Have you ever experienced being sleepy after taking an allergy medicine for your runny nose? This is because the systemic effect of the medicine is affecting your entire body including your brain, not just your nose as it travels through your blood vessels. When the medicine affects your central nervous system, especially your brain, it can make you sleepy.

 

To reduce the systemic effect of the medicine, some pharmaceutical companies developed nasal spray that delivers medications locally in the nasal cavities. Many people use this type of medication because of their rapid effect as they are sprayed into the nose.

 

 

Why is my nose congested?

 

Rhinitis is inflammation of the inside of the nose caused by an allergen, such as pollen, dust, mold, or flakes of skin from certain animals. As allergen enters our body, our immune system overreacts to a harmless sustenance causing inflammation, in which the membranes lining your nasal passages become inflamed and irritated resulting in nasal congestion. Because of the dilation of the blood vessels and swollen tissues, the nasal passages become narrower which make you difficult to breathe. However, this is a natural immune response to protect your body from allergens.

 

 

How does the decongestant relieve nasal congestion?

 

Decongestants are medicines that relieve nasal congestion by reducing swelling of the blood vessels and adjacent tissues, inflammation and mucus formation within the nasal passages, which helps open up the airways. Your nose becomes stuffy due to the dilation of the blood vessels in your nose. Therefore, constricting the blood vessels will shrink swollen tissue, relieving congestion.

 

 

Why should nasal spray be used only for a short-term period?

 

One of the advantages of nasal spray is its rapid onset along with minimizing the systemic effect. However, you may experience a rebound effect if you use OTC nasal decongestant sprays regularly or a long-term period. Your nose may become less responsive to the effects of the medication. As a result, you may need to use more and more of the medication to control congestion. Your congestion also may worsen if you stop using the medication.

 

Therefore, please do not use the nasal spray more than 3 – 5 days in a row, with as few doses as possible each day. If you have a high blood pressure, please be careful when you use the medicine or discuss with your doctor or pharmacist before using it due to its vasoconstriction effect.

 

 

Here are some natural home remedies you can try for congestion relief:

 

- Maintain the proper humidity levels by adding moisture to the air with a humidifier.

 

- Inhale the warm steam during a hot shower.

 

- Rinse your nose with a saline solution made of warm water and salt.

 

- Drink plenty of water.

 

- Apply a warm, wet towel over your nose and breathe in moist air.

 

- Wear a mask when go outside.

 

 

If you still have a trouble with congestion after trying above remedies, you may try OTC medicines or visit a doctor for further exam. If you have an underlying disease or known-allergies to certain medications, please discuss with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any medications.  

 

I hope you enjoy the splendid beauty of spring in Korea with gorgeous flowers and its magnificent scenery!

 

Thank you.