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 nasal sprays that are commonly available in any drug store or health store across the country. The most common occasion for a nasal spray to be used is during a common cold, to relieve congestion and stuffiness in the nose. These nasal sprays can be an effective means to combat some illnesses, but there are many nasal spray 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. The nasal spray side effects that any person will display shall vary from person to person. The individuals immunity system, genetic make up, degree of infection and also the amount of nasal spray that has been administered plays a part in what kind of nasal spray side effects the individual will display.

How Nasal Sprays Work?
Before we explore some commonly seen nasal spray side effects, you must first understand how the nasal spray goes about doing its job exactly. When these sprays are administered to the swollen nasal passages that a person is suffering from due to a cold, the nasal 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 the nasal spray wears down, the blood vessels expand again. This causes a person to use the nasal spray repeatedly. This is where problems arise, for the repeated use of nasal sprays cause many side effects. The side effects of nasal sprays are not very serious or intense, but the excessive use of these nasal sprays can cause some unexpected complications in the future. Read about other nasal allergy medications.

Nasal Spray Side Effects
No matter how effective they may seem or look, 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, the side effects of nasal sprays 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 of nasal spray side effects will be different for different people. Here are some commonly observed nasal spray side effects.

• 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 nasal spray side effects that you are exposing yourself to if you regularly use nasal sprays. One of the commonest nasal spray side effects is a condition known as 'rebound rhinitis'. This is a condition that develops if a person is excessively using nasal sprays, 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 the nasal spray. So much so, that upon putting a halt to the use of the nasal spray the nasal passages immediately get blocked. This 'addiction' to the nasal spray, leads to the culmination of other excessive side effects of nasal sprays. 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.

Nasal Spray Alternatives
In order to avoid these nasal spray 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 nasal spray addiction, rebound rhinitis in particular, and find it hard to stop the intake of nasal sprays. Excessive use of these products, causes some serious nasal spray side effects which become very unbearable for some people. Ideally speaking, it would be best to simply avoid exposing yourselves to the side effects of nasal sprays.