ABC’s on the Sinus Decongestant
When a person has a congested nose or sinuses, it is very uncomfortable. The solution for this is a sinus decongestant. But how does a sinus decongestant work and what are the different kinds?
What is the action of a sinus decongestant?
This kind of medication for nasal or sinus congestion works to stimulate the epinephrine (adrenaline) and norepinephrine (noradrenaline) action or the adrenergic activity part of the nervous system. This results to vasoconstriction (reduction of tubular diameter) of the vessels in regions such as the nose, throat and sinuses. In turn, it would lessen the supply of blood of the nasal mucus membranes; thus, sort of deactivating them and reducing the amount of mucus production. The actual “tubes” that secrete the mucus are also constricted and, again, does not emit as much mucus.
What are the types of a sinus decongestant?
A sinus decongestant can have many forms. It could be in oral tablets, liquid, nose drops, and nasal sprays. It also has a mechanical type in nasal strips.
What are the main components of a decongestant?
Main ingredients of a sinus decongestant are pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine. For nasal sprays, the usual component is oxymetazoline. Pseudoephedrine operates indirectly on the adrenergic system while phenylephrine and oxymetazoline are adrenergics or direct agonists of the adrenergic system.
Advantages and disadvantages of the different decongestants
The different kinds of a sinus decongestant have their pros and cons. For the systemic action of the oral and liquid types, they are effective when the location of the mucus membranes causing the congestion is deeper into the nasal canal or inside the paranasal sinuses. But since the effect is systemic, it could produce side effects such as hypertension. On the other hand, a local or topical decongestant like nasal drops and sprays have the advantage of not resulting to systemic side effects. However, they cannot treat the congestions that are farther than the spray effect can reach.
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What is the Best Decongestant for Children?
A number of people, especially parents, are oblivious on the best decongestant for children. This is probably from the fact that a main ingredient of most decongestants has been found to be used as an addictive drug. But the thing is, the appropriate decongestants for children are the same with the ones that adults are taking – only less potent.
The formula of decongestants for children still contains the popular components of pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine. Pseudoephedrine is the constituent of decongestants that have been utilized to make illicit substances. It is addicting so access to medications that have it is restricted. Nonetheless, pseudoephedrine is an important ingredient in the decongestant for children.
Although very effective, decongestants that contain this element produces side effects such as excitability, restlessness, sleep issues, tingling sensations, mild loss of appetite, and rashes.
The best decongestant for children may be in any form
With regards to the forms of decongestants, there are chewable tablets, drops, liquid, and combination drugs.
Chewable tablets can be a good decongestant for children as they may appear as candies. One reason why kids hate taking medications is because of their taste. With this type, children could chew on the tablets like they are munchies. It has pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine and is for kids age 2 and above. There is a disintegrating tablet form of phenylephrine. An advantage of this is the young ones do not even have to chew. It is as simple as them putting it on the tongue and going on with play. It usually is administered every 4 hours. Might the chewable or disintegrating tablet be suitable decongestant for children because of its convenience to kids?
There are drops that are also easy to administer. It contains both pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine as well. This type cannot be given to kid below 6 months with no medical prescription.
Liquid forms that also have pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine are available as well. This can be administered to 6 months and above as long as it writes on the label. It produces the usual side effects of decongestants as it is taken systemically. For this reason, it may not work for children.
Saline sprays are said to be the best decongestant for children as it offers quick-relief and is safe for infants and children. But just like the precaution with adults, this nasal decongestant cannot be used for more than 3 days. If utilized for more than the recommended span of time, it would result to rebound congestion.
The best decongestant for children might be the natural one
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The Best OTC Decongestant
In search of the best OTC decongestant
A lot of people are always on the go. They do not have plenty of time to spare for things wherein they have to wait for other individual’s work before they can accomplish what they want to. A great example is with treating common health conditions like as nasal congestion. Although there are doctors they could consult for such problem, they rather not. Besides, it is more expensive.
Even if there are quick-relief remedies such as corticosteroid sprays, they also would rather not have these as their options. These treatments need prescriptions. And where can folks get a medication prescription? From a doctor of course. But some people just do not have the time. Fortunately, there are what drugs called over-the-counter medications.
So, the question is, what is the best OTC decongestant?
Oral form as the best OTC decongestant?
The best over the counter decongestant would typically contain the components of phenylephrine and pseudoephedrine. These constituents of decongestants act to control the secretion of mucus by mucus membranes. Decongestants of these types are usually in oral tablet and liquid forms. However, the disadvantage of these decongestants is that their effect is systemic. They result to side effects like a high blood pressure and nervousness. So if a person already is suffering from a condition such as hypertension, the OTC decongestant is not of this kind.
How about fast-relief sprays?
May be the decongestant for a person is one that a faster relief. Other than corticosteroid sprays that need a physicians prescription, there are also nasal sprays that can be bought without a prescription. These over-the-counter sprays have the ingredient oxymetazoline. Then again, decongestant sprays that have oxymetazoline could cause rhinitis medicamentosa. It is a form of rebound congestion of such a medication is used for more than 3 days. So if an individual does not want to risk developing such a condition, an oxymetazoline containing nasal spray is not the best decongestant for him.
To drowse or not to drowse: that is the question
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