Nasal Spray Side Effects

Nasal mists, more popularly known as nasal sprays are used for the local or systematic administration of drugs into the body through the nasal tract. There are many of these, that are commonly available in any drug or health store across the country. The most common occasion in which this spray is used, is during a common cold, to relieve congestion and stuffiness in the nose. These sprays can be an effective means to combat some illnesses, but there are many side effects that you must be aware of.

Nasal sprays are widely used as a reliable source to get instant relief from congestion and irritation in the chest and nasal tract of a person, especially if the person is suffering from a cold. These side effects will display shall vary from person to person. The individuals immunity system, genetic make up, degree of infection and also the amount of spray that has been administered plays a part in what kind of effects the individual will display.

How Nasal Sprays Work

When these sprays are administered to the swollen nasal passages that a person is suffering from due to a cold, the spray begins constricting the blood vessels in the nose. This constriction enables the swelling to diminish and a person's breathing to become freer. After the effect of this spray wears down, the blood vessels expand again. This causes a person to use the spray repeatedly. This is where problems arise, for the repeated causes many side effects. These are not very serious or intense, but the excessive use of these sprays can cause some unexpected complications in the future.

Side Effects
No matter how effective they may seem, nasal sprays are steroids at the end of the day. And like all steroids, these too have some serious side effects. Like I mentioned earlier, they vary from person to person, as there have been cases where people have reported extreme discomfort due to nasal sprays. But the combination and the intensity will be different for different people.

• Stinging or burning sensation.
• Sneezing and extreme amounts of nasal discharge.
• Drying of the nostrils and altered taste.
• Rapid and pounding heartbeat.
• Dizziness and trouble sleeping.
• Shaking of the hands and arms.
• Feeling of extreme weakness.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Fungal infection in the nose or the throat.
• Excessive coughing.
• Severe nosebleeds.
• Increased thirst and urination.
• Trouble breathing and persistent headache.
• Mild or severe breakout of acne.
• Nasal blisters or ulcers.
• Painful menstruation.
• Excessive watering of eyes.
• Severe allergic reaction
• Post Nasal Drip (PND)

Rebound Rhinitis
As you can see, these are a lot of side effects that you are exposing yourself to if you regularly use nasal sprays. One of the commonest side effect is a condition known as 'rebound rhinitis'. This is a condition that develops if there is excessive use for more than 3 - 5 days at a stretch. Due to this excessive usage the nasal tract develops an addictive habit to the effects of these sprays. So much so, that upon putting a halt to the use, the nasal passages immediately get blocked. This 'addiction' leads to the culmination of other excessive side effects. Many people do not realize the risk they are putting themselves under when they go to a drug store and innocently buy a nasal spray in order to get some instant relief from congestion and a blocked nose.

Know Your Alternatives

In order to avoid these side effects, there are some other alternatives to nasal sprays that you must consider using, in order to get relief from congestion and a blocked nose. Here are some options for you.

• Homeopathy treatment and medicines.
• Steam inhalation.
• Saline nasal drops.
• Breathing exercises and nasal irrigation.
• Sleep.

Nasal sprays may seem very tempting and alluring in their advertisements and promotions, and the instant relief they provide is extremely soothing. But because they are capable of providing this instant relief, people tend to overuse these sprays. As a result they suffer from addiction, rebound rhinitis in particular, and find it hard to stop the intake. Excessive use of these products, causes some serious side effects which become very unbearable for some people. Ideally speaking, it would be best to simply avoid exposing yourselves to these.