Autumn is one of the most beautiful times of year, but it’s also when sickness can spread like wildfire. If it seems like more people around you are sneezing and sniffling, it’s not your imagination. Fall and winter are the most common times of year for the common cold. Signs of the common cold include sneezing, a runny nose, headache, a sore throat, coughing and nasal congestion. Ever try to sleep with a runny nose? Not fun. Typically, these symptoms last about a week, which is a long time to be feeling crummy. You likely have a few favorite cold remedies you turn to when symptoms hit. Maybe it’s eating a soup your mom used to make you growing up, paired with a can of ginger ale. Or maybe you have an over-the-counter medication that you swear works wonders. There’s no shortage of popular cold remedies, but there’s one in particular that a family physician warns against relying on too much. Doing so can completely backfire.Related: The One Habit Doctors Are Begging You To Break ASAP if You Don't Want To Get Sick This Fall
One common cold remedy that many people rely on is over-the-counter decongestant nasal sprays.Dr. Vontrelle Roundtree, MD, a family practitioner and associate chief medical officer at MD Live by Evernorth, says that, when used correctly, these nasal sprays can be effective. “Over-the-counter decongestant nasal sprays can provide temporary relief from nasal congestion, which is one of the most common and uncomfortable cold symptoms. These sprays work by shrinking swollen blood vessels inside the nasal passages, helping to open up the airways for easier breathing,” Dr. Roundtree says. She explains that while using a decongestant spray doesn’t shorten the duration of a cold, it offers relief that enables someone to sleep, which is key to getting better.
Related: The One Activity an Infectious Disease Expert Is Begging You To Avoid When You Start Feeling Sick
Unfortunately, overusing a decongestant nasal spray can backfire. “Using decongestant sprays too often or for more than three consecutive days can actually make congestion worse. This is called rebound congestion, where your nasal passages become dependent on the spray to stay open and, when you stop, the congestion returns even more strongly,” Dr. Roundtree says.
When this happens, she says it can lead to a vicious cycle where someone feels the need to use the spray more often, but doing so actually makes the problem worse. “Long-term overuse may also cause irritation, dryness or frequent nosebleeds,” Dr. Roundtree adds.
If you notice that your congestion returns quickly after each use or that you feel you need to use the spray more often just to breathe normally, Dr. Roundtree says that these are tell-tale signs of overuse. “Some people may experience chronic stuffiness that doesn’t improve, even though they continue using the spray. In these cases, it’s best to gradually stop using it and talk with your doctor about other treatment options,” she says.
?SIGN UP for tips to stay healthy & fit with the top moves, clean eats, health trends & more delivered right to your inbox twice a week?
The Correct Way To Use a Decongestant Nasal Spray, and Other Ways To Relieve Your Symptoms
Dr. Asma Tahir, PhD, MPH, the supervisor for the pollen monitoring program at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, in collaboration with the Clark County School District, says that decongestant nasal sprays are also often used for allergy relief, also common this time of year.
Whether you are using a nasal spray for allergy relief or to treat cold symptoms, she says it’s important to avoid pointing the spray at your nasal septum. “Aim slightly outward to avoid irritation or nosebleeds,” she instructs.
Related: Headed Back to the Gym? Doctors Are Urging You To Avoid These Gross Habits
When using it, Dr. Tahir says to keep your head upright and tilt your head back, which helps the medicine run down your throat. “Take only a gentle sniff. Big sniffs pull the medicine away from where it needs to work,” she says. After application, Dr. Tahir says to avoid blowing your nose, to allow the medicine to stay in place. She also warns against sharing a nasal spray with anyone else to avoid spreading germs.
Both experts say that there are other ways to treat cold or allergy symptoms. For relief from cold symptoms, Dr. Roundtree says that using a saline rinse can help keep the nasal passages moist, which helps alleviate symptoms. She adds that staying well hydrated, using a humidifier and taking a warm bath or steamy shower can also help. But the best healer for getting over a cold, she says, is rest. “The more well-rested you are, the better your body's chance of recovering quickly,” she explains.
For allergy relief, Dr. Tahir says to keep the windows and doors closed during high allergy seasons. “To avoid pollen, know which pollen you are sensitive to and then check pollen counts. In spring and summer, during tree and grass pollen season, levels are highest in the evening. In late summer and early fall, during ragweed pollen season, levels are highest in the morning,” she shares. Dr. Tahir adds that using a dehumidifier and cleaning filters may also help reduce dust, mold, mites and allergens in the home.
Nasal sprays can be helpful, but only if they are used correctly and not continuously. “Nasal sprays can be helpful if used correctly and in moderation, but they’re not meant for long-term use. If your symptoms last more than seven to 10 days or seem to be getting worse, check in with a doctor to rule out a sinus infection or other cause,” Dr. Roundtree says.
When it comes to decongestant nasal sprays, the idiom “only in moderation” definitely applies.
Up Next:
Related: This Bathroom Staple Could Be Making You Sick—Here’s How To Keep It Bacteria-Free
Sources
Dr. Vontrelle Roundtree, MD,family practitioner and associate chief medical officer at MD Live by EvernorthDr. Asma Tahir, PhD, MPH, supervisor for the pollen monitoring program at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, in collaboration with the Clark County School DistrictHence then, the article about doctors warn against this common cold remedy mistake that actually makes symptoms worse was published today ( ) and is available on Parade ( Saudi Arabia ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Doctors Warn Against This Common Cold Remedy Mistake That Actually Makes Symptoms Worse )
Also on site :
- Teens arrested after large disturbance, multiple fights at Joliet mall
- Reported tornado rips roofs off multiple homes in central Illinois
- The Starmer regime is turning Britain into a police state