nasal decongestion?

Question

I have a really bad runny nose and I cant fall asleep with out it dripping all over the place.

does nasal decongestion mean it stops runny noses or starts them?
what should i take to stop my runny nose? none of the pills in the house say they stop runny noses.

Answer 1

A decongestant does just that - it de-congests, which means it breaks up congestion. If your nose is stuffy and congested, it will open it up, which allows it to drain. If your drainage is thick or colored, that is what you want it to do, because that is often a sign of infection or the beginnings of one, so you want it to drain so you can get rid of it.
If the drainage is thin and clear, then you can dry it up. This is done by using an antihistimine, which, again, is explained in the name. Anti - against, histimine, which is what you produce in response to an allergen. Histimine production makes you drain to wash away whatever you are reacting to, and sneeze/cough it out. So antihistimines stop the production to keep you from draining, etc.
Side effect from both types of meds. Decongestants are notorious for keeping you awake,and even raising your blood pressure. This does not happen to everyone, and they are usually very safe at the recommended doseage.
Antihistimines are notorious for causing drowsiness, and dry mouth. Again, this doen't happen in everyone, and they are usually safe in recommended doseages. There is a class of them that do not cause drowsiness. I usually take one of those (I like Claritin) during the day, and one that causes groggyness at night, since it really doesn't matter to me - I'm going to bed anyway, and don't have small kids. (I like Benadryl at night.)
You could benefit from allergy proofing your house if you are having a lot of drainage at home, esp. at night. Make sure and change your sheets and put double pillowcases on your pillows. Go to webmd and search for allergies, then read the part on how to allergy proof each room. It's easy, and inexpensive, and it really helped me and my asthma and allergies. Hopefully it's just a virus. Feel better soon!

Answer 2

Using nasal spray medicine can have a backwards effect. In order to keep your sinuses healthy, you will need to change or supplement with a drug-free alternative.
Try a saline nasal RINSE (not a spray) A full warm water saline rinse goes in one nostril and out the other. It draws out all the gunk and shrinks the tissue (like swimming in the ocean). I've been doing it at work too.

The buffered salt doesn't 'sting' as much as plain salt water. You can use a new method like Nasopure, or the vintage, Netipot. The special bottle and salt is about $20.

You can do this a often as you like with no bad side effects.

You don’t need a prescription for this therapy. So if you live in a state like mine, they’ve pretty much “outlawed” sudafed medicine. Drug-free is really the way to go on a frequent-use basis. (I put in a link for “what” and “how” – there’s also some good info on wiki)

Answer 3

a decongestant dries up or stops the mucuous from running. So if you want to stop it, take something that says it helps nasal congestion, or a nasal decongestant, or just a decongestant in general because that will help.
Also try sleeping upright a little. It may be uncomfortable, but it'll help some.