Decongestants - Uses and Side Effects

Decongestants are medications that help relieve nasal congestion by narrowing the blood vessels in the nasal passages. They are often used to treat symptoms of colds, allergies, and sinus infections.

Decongestants FAQ

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What does decongest mean?

To relieve the congestion of (sinuses, for example). To relieve congestion, as of the sinuses. To free from congestion. Find similar words to decongest using the buttons below.

Is the public desperate for decongestion of our streets?

New York Times, 9 Jan. 2021 The public is desperate for decongestion of our streets. Joshua Bowling, The Arizona Republic, 5 July 2022 See More These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'decongestion.'

What are the side effects of decongestants?

For decongestants (e.g., phenylephrine, pseudoephedrine), headache, dizziness, dry mouth, irritability, rapid or irregular heartbeat, tremor, increase in blood pressure, and trouble sleeping may occur.

What are decongestants used for?

What are decongestants? Decongestants are medicines that are used to help ease a blocked or stuffy nose (nasal congestion). Conditions which cause congestion include: The common cold. Sinusitis. Hay fever or other allergies. Rhinitis. These conditions cause swelling of the tissues and blood vessels that line the nasal passageway and sinuses.

What is a nasal decongestant?

Definition A decongestant, or nasal decongestant, is a type of pharmaceutical drug that is used to relieve nasal congestion in the upper respiratory tract. The active ingredient in most decongestants is either pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine (the latter of which has disputed effectiveness ).

Can decongestants help a blocked nose?

Decongestants are a type of medicine that can provide short-term relief for a blocked or stuffy nose (nasal congestion). They can help ease the symptoms of conditions such as colds and flu, hay fever and other allergic reactions, catarrh and sinusitis.

Do decongestants work?

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, decongestants reportedly reduce blood flow to the sinuses, thereby reducing swelling and opening up the nasal passages. Do they work? Though many people use decongestants to alleviate nasal congestion, there is no strong evidence that these medications are very effective.