Is decongestant Nasal Spray bad for my health?

Question

I am 21 and healthy. I have to spray Nasal Spray or I can't breath through my nose at all. It completely plugs up. My dad is the same way, so I guess that I get it from him.
Someone told me that nasal spray is bad for you and that it could cause heart strain. Is that true?

The chemical in it is Oxymetazoline Hydrochloride 0.05% if you need to know that.

Answer 1

The problem with most medicinal nasal sprays is that they cause rebound, that is you cannot breathe without using the spray. In that instance, I would have to say, it's not good for you, the same as when a medication says it may be addictive. You need to live without drugs, if you can. Most clinical trials are short and can be staged to achieve a certain result by using only patients that have the same reactions. Drug companies are a multi-billion dollar industry and if you think they have your best interest at heart, you should know that they don't. Neither does the FDA who is partnered with the largest pharmaceutical companies you can imagine.

My best recommendation is to rinse out your nasal passages 2 x day, once in the morning and evening (hours before you go to bed as your passages will drain afterwards). Then I also recommend that you get some Grapefruit Seed Extract to keep your nasal passages from getting infected. Get the liquid and use 3-4 drops into the nasal rinse saline using only bottled water, not tap and see if it doesn't alleviate some of your problem. The other problem it sounds like you have is something you're eating that is causing too much mucous to develop. Usually that is an allergic reaction to some food. You need to find out what food it is and avoid it so you can reduce the amount of mucous in your nose.

You can continue to do what you've been doing as you are 21, but later as you get older, it gets worse if you don't correct it now.

Answer 2

Hi U-man. I'm not aware of any potential cardiac problems associated with oxymetazoline Hcl (same stuff as in Afrin). But I'm afraid that you may be suffering from a rebound effect associated with continued use of nasal decongestant sprays. The medical term (if you want to know) is rhinitis medicamentosa. It essentially means that you have chronic nasal congestion from using nasal decongestants over a long period of time. Another problem sometimes associated with long term nasal decongestant use is irritated nasal passages. So, what to do. Whatever you decide to do, you will be mouth breathing for a while. So drink lots of fluids and get something to keep your lips from becoming dry and cracked. It would be easiest if you were to see an MD for the long term problem that you have had which led you to use the spray long term and have a rebound effect. A Doc will likely prescribe for you something like Flonase, Nasacort. These are prescription steroidal nasal sprays. They will help with continued use. Sometimes it takes up to three weeks to get the full effect from the steroidal nasal sprays. And, no, it is not like taking steroids. The steroidal action is primarily limited to your nasal passages and sinuses. If you can't swing a Dr. visit or the cost of the meds, (sometimes pricey), your next best option would be to use an over the counter nasal decongestant in the form of a pill (Sudafed)and possibly a non-sedating antihistamine like loratadine (Claritin). And begin to use a saline nasal spray like Ocean spray to keep those nasal passages from drying out. In this case the generic meds will have the same effect as the name brand meds and be much cheaper. The important thing to consider here is to TAKE THE MEDS AS ORDERED. Do not exceed the recommended daily dosages. You are trying to wean yourself off of habitual use of OTC nasal sprays. And while you are at it, you may want to share this info with your Dad.

Answer 3

Yes. It is bad for you, you should quit, when your nose plugs, it's filled with mucus and widened veins, the nasal spray shrinks the veins and cleans up a little bit of mucus, and makes it easier for you to breathe. But when you start using it daily, the veins start to get big when you don't use them, so basically your nose stops doing it's work. I can't tell you how many times i woke up in the middle of the night breatheless because i used so much nasal spray earlier that day. I tried so hard to quit, salt waters, hot presses, humidifiers, but finally i managed to do it. Now i have a sinus infection and i've been suffering for a week but i didn't use one nasal spray because i know it's gonna make it worse and slow down the healing process.

Answer 4

i have never heard about nasal spray causing heart strain or whatever but if your using like afrin you nose will get addicted to it if you use it for more than a week straight. but thats over the counter stuff. if your doctor has given you something then i wouldnt really worry. i have allergies and use a nose spray and im 24 and i haven't had any heart issues. and on a side note try getting into an allergist they might be able to help with your constant plugged up nose(if you havent already)

Answer 5

Actually, using the nasal spray all the time, is a lot like using any drug all the time. Your body begins to think it needs it to function properly and you develop a tolerance to it. Stop using it every time your nose is stuffy and try something else for a while. If you don't, you might seriously damage your olfactory system.

Answer 6

the problem with nasal sprays, is that you get a rebound swelling when you don't use them, therefore you tend to use them continuously. you should see your dr about chronic sinusitis, you may have to have it treated with antibiotics and some special spray, if that doesn't work you can have your sinuses washed out. see your dr, you are doing no good using decongestant spray long term.

Answer 7

well I'm not able to tell you fact wise about the heart strain thing, but, i can say that, those types of medications do damage the lining of your nasal passages.
have you tried a solution of warm water and salt, or, golden seal mixed with water? even parts, snuff it and then rinse. maybe try it twice a day, morning upon rising and just before retiring for the night. these are God given materials, not man made. best to you.

Answer 8

Oxymetazoline Hydrochloride Side Effects

Answer 9

Just try some normal saline spray that they use for babies that have congestion. It might help but not quite as good as the Afrin or whatever. I tend to have to use Sudafed a lot. which is quite nice now that they limit how much and how often you buy it. I feel like a criminal when they ask me for my DL. I guess its only twice a year though.

Answer 10

i myself used nasal spray for my allergic rhinitis, same reason you stated but i used that medication with the doctor's supervision, don't overused it as all medication have the so called side effects.