Can I Prevent Nasal Congestion
Many things may cause nasal congestion. You may not be able to prevent the condition but you can reduce how often you have this problem:
- If certain seasons make your nose feel stuffy, ask your healthcare provider for information about seasonal allergies. Theyll help identify potential allergens, ways to avoid allergens and treatment for symptoms.
- Protect yourself from viral infections like the common cold and flu.
The Effects Of Decongestants On High Blood Pressure
Know the risks
According to the CDC guidelines, nearly half of the U.S. adult population has high blood pressure. If you suffer from high blood pressure, you should know that decongestants may raise your blood pressure and may interfere with the medications you take.
What is the impact of decongestant medicines on blood pressure?
Many over-the-counter cold medicines contain a decongestant that can affect your blood pressure. This can be concerning for people who already have a high blood pressure level.
Why should high blood pressure sufferers consider cold medicines without decongestants?
If you have high blood pressure, its important you choose a cold medicine thats decongestant-free like Coricidin® HBP. It effectively treats cold and flu symptoms without raising your blood pressure.
Can decongestants affect the efficacy of my blood pressure medication?
Yes. Taking decongestants during a cold may interfere with the effectiveness of your blood pressure medications. Its important to speak to your doctor or pharmacist about your medications.
Can I Compare Prescription Prices Before Filling My Allergy Medicine
The majority of allergy medications are now available over the counter. This means that many insurance plans no longer cover your allergy medicine. If your insurance does not cover your medication, you can use a prescription savings card to get the lowest prescription price. You can save up to 80% or more off the retail price by using the ScriptSave® WellRx discount card at a pharmacy near you.
Rosanna Sutherby is a freelance medical writer who has been a practicing pharmacist in her community for close to 20 years. She obtained her Doctor of Pharmacy from Nova Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. She utilizes her clinical training in the pharmacy, where she helps patients manage disease states such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, and many others. Dr. Sutherby reviews and recommends drug regimens based on patients concurrent conditions and potential drug interactions.
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How Does Nasal Congestion Affect My Body
A stuffy nose is nothing to sneeze at. If your nose is congested or stuffy, you may:
- Have trouble breathing through your nose.
- Have mucus flowing from your nose, also known as a runny nose.
- Start breathing through your mouth because you cant take in air through your nose. This is mouth breathing.
- Babies who have nasal congestion may have trouble nursing or taking a bottle.
Sometimes, nasal congestion is the first sign your body is fighting a viral or bacterial infection. Rarely, a tumor or polyp in your nose may make your nose feel congested.
Pseudoephedrine And High Blood Pressure Interaction
In 2005, a study showed that pseudoephedrine increased systolic blood pressure and heart rate, but had no effect on diastolic blood pressure.1 They also found that higher doses and immediate-release formulations of pseudoephedrine were associated with higher blood pressures.1 In addition, the study revealed that patients with well controlled hypertension had higher systolic and diastolic blood pressures after taking immediate release pseudoephedrine formulations.1
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What Are Some Other Side Effects Of Coricidin D Cold/flu/sinus
All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:
- Not able to sleep.
- Feeling sleepy.
These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.
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What You Need To Know About Pseudoephedrine:
Brands of common over-the counter decongestants that contain pseudoephedrine: Allegra-D, Alka Seltzer Plus Cold Medicine Liqui-Gels, Aleve Cold and Sinus Caplets, Benadryl Allergy and Sinus Tablets, Claritin-D Non-Drowsy 24 Hour Tablets, Robitussin Cold Severe Congestion Capsules, Sudafed 24 Hour Tablets, SudoGest, Wal-phed 12 hour, Suphedrine.2
Indications: nasal congestion, sinus congestion, and Eustachian tube congestion
Hypertension May Have No Noticeable Signs
While having a cold can make your nose stuffy and anemia may make you weak, high blood pressure can exist for years without any noticeable symptoms. It is often only when outward symptoms appear that a person has any inkling of a problem, by which time a serious complication may have already developed, including:
- Heart attack or stroke, which occurs when high blood pressure causes the hardening and thickening of the arteries
- Aneurysm, which occurs when increased blood pressure causes your blood vessels to weaken, bulge, and rupture
- Heart failure, which can occur when the persistent pressure causes your heart muscle to thicken, making it harder and harder to pump blood until it finally stops
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What Are Safe Alternatives To Pseudoephedrine In Patients With High Blood Pressure
There are a few safe and effective alternatives to pseudoephedrine in patients with high blood pressure that can relieve nasal or sinus congestion symptoms. Placing a humidifier in the bedroom keeps moisture in the air, which helps prevent your nasal passages from drying out. Humidifiers can also help break up mucus and soothe inflamed nasal passageways.3 In addition, propping your head up on 2 pillows may help the mucus flow out of your nose and relieve some congestion. Saline sprays are also another safe option that can loosen congestion and improve drainage.3 If a patient with high blood pressure insists on taking a medication that includes pseudoephedrine, their pharmacist or physician will recommend the patient to monitor their blood pressure and take a sustained-release formulation to reduce the risk of increasing blood pressure.3
Next time you have sinus or nasal congestion, ask your physician before using pseudoephedrine if you have high blood pressure. Your local pharmacist can also help manage nasal congestion symptoms, provide valuable information regarding safer alternatives, and ensure optimal drug selection in patients with high blood pressure.
Resources:
Which Allergy Drugs Are Ok With High Blood Pressure
11 Fast Facts About Your Childâs Allergies I Have High Blood Pressure. Are Allergy Drugs OK? First things first: Always check with your doctor or pharmacist before you start to take any medication â for allergies , high blood pressure , or anything else. Thatâs true for herbs and supplements , too. Antihistamines are the most common medication for allergies . Most of them seem to be safe if you have high blood pressure â but again, ask to make sure. Donât take decongestants unless your doctor tells you otherwise. They may raise your blood pressure . They also keep some high blood pressure drugs from working the way they should. Watch out for combination medications for allergies that include decongestant ingredients. That includes allergy drugs as well as many remedies for cold, flu , and sinus problems. Ask your pharmacist to check the ingredients for you. WebMD Medical Reference Reviewed by Suzanne R. Steinbaum, MD on December 14, 2016 American Heart Association: âOver-the-Counter Medications.â Harvard Medical School: âDonât Let Decongestants Squeeze Your Heart.â UpToDate: âDefinition, risk factors, and evaluation of resistant hypertension,ââDiphenhydramine.âContinue reading > >
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Allergy Medicines And Hypertension
Allergy season is in full swing in many parts of the country. For some, that means battling symptoms, such as sneezing, congestion, runny nose, itching, and watery eyes. If you are among the over 50 million Americans who suffer from allergies each year, you may be headed to a pharmacy near you for relief of your allergy symptoms. Choosing allergy medication that is right for you may be tricky if you have hypertension . Read on to learn how some allergy medicines may affect your blood pressure and your blood pressure medication.
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Can Saline Nasal Spray Raise Blood Pressure
Can saline nasal spray raise blood pressure? Decongestant products, including nasal sprays, can raise blood pressure and pulse rate. They can also cause you to feel nervous or dizzy, or make it hard for you to get to sleep. Some decongestants may interfere with other medications you take.
What Nasal Spray Can you use with high blood pressure? Phenylephrine. For those with high blood pressure, phenylephrine is an alternative to pseudoephedrine. They are in the same drug class known as nasal decongestants, which help relieve sinus congestion and pressure. You can buy products containing phenylephrine right off the shelf at the pharmacy.
Is it bad to use too much saline nasal spray? A saline spray can be applied through the nostrils as often as your symptoms require. It can be used daily without potential harm. The effects may be relatively short-lived, requiring multiple uses per day. If it is overused, you may simply notice a runny nose as the excess water drains out.
What are the side effects of saline nasal spray? Works well for most people, and can be used in children and adults. Relieves runny noses, congestion, and throat itching, and makes breathing easier. Can prevent nosebleeds caused by dryness inside your nose. Safe to use if you have high blood pressure or heart disease, or if youre pregnant or breastfeeding.
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Can A Sinus Infection Cause High Blood Pressure
It is a reality that sinus problems that are medically known as sinusitis can cause significant high blood pressure amongst many patients. First, it is necessary to understand sinusitis to work out the relationship between sinusitis and high blood pressure.
Sinuses can become a gateway for many health conditions. It can leave any patient exposed to many health issues, not just high blood pressure.
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What Are The Most Common Causes Of Nasal Congestion
Nasal congestion often happens with conditions such as rhinitis. There are two kinds of rhinitis allergic rhinitis and nonallergic rhinitis.
Allergic rhinitis
Allergic rhinitis or hay fever is how your body reacts to allergens. Allergens are tiny particles in the air. Common allergens include:
- Pollen: When trees and plants bloom in the spring, summer and fall, they produce pollen that may make its way to your nose, setting off an allergic reaction.
- Dust mites: Even the cleanest environments may have dust mites that live in carpeting, furniture and bedding.
- Mold: Mold sends out spores that may cause allergic reactions.
- Pet dander: Some people are very allergic to dander from furry friends.
Nonallergic rhinitis
Nonallergic rhinitis and nasal congestion happens when inflammation makes fluid buildup in your nasal tissues, making them swell. This inflammation may happen because you have a viral illness or youve been exposed to certain triggers. Triggers may be:
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Who Can Take Decongestants
Most people can use decongestants safely, but theyre not suitable for everyone.
They should not be used by the following groups of people without getting advice from a pharmacist or GP first:
- people taking other medicines
- men with an enlarged prostate
- people with liver, kidney, heart or circulation problems
- people with increased pressure in the eye glaucoma
What Triggers Nasal Congestion
The short answer is many things trigger nasal congestion. Thats because your nose is on the front line when it comes to protecting your body from intruders. Your nose takes in air that may carry dirt, particles and allergens. The inside of your nose houses a battalion of hair and cilia that snare intruders, sending them to your nostrils. When you sneeze or blow your nose, youre kicking intruders out of your system. Sometimes, your nose hair and cilia dont catch all intruders. When that happens, the tissue lining the inside of your nose becomes inflamed and starts to swell. Then, your immune system kicks in, flooding your nose with mucus thats intended to wash away intruders. Swollen nasal tissues and mucus combine to block your nose, making your condition worse.
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Pounding In Your Ears
If you have a sensation of pulsing or pounding in your ears when you havent been exercising vigorously, this could indicate an elevated blood pressure. It could also be related to drinking too much caffeine, so try cutting back on the coffee and soda. Anxiety can have the same effect, so try meditation or a relaxing activity to see if the pounding sensation resolves.
Urgent Advice: Call 111 For Advice Now If:
- you take too much pseudoephedrine
Taking too much pseudoephedrine can be dangerous.
It can make you restless or your heartbeat fast, and make you feel sick or vomit. You may also have difficulty peeing.
Go to 111.nhs.uk or call 111.
If you need to go to A& E, do not drive yourself. Get someone else to drive you or call for an ambulance.
Take the pseudoephedrine packet or leaflet inside it, plus any remaining medicine, with you.
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Nonprescription Products To Avoid With Hypertension
W. Steven Pray, PhD, DPhBernhardt Professor, Nonprescription Products and DevicesCollege of Pharmacy, Southwestern Oklahoma State UniversityWeatherford, Oklahoma
US Pharm.
Researchers have charted an alarming rise in the number of persons with hypertension. For example, the number rose by 30% from 1994 to 2000.1 The CDC estimated the percentage of noninstitutionalized adults aged 20 years and above with hypertension to be 32%.2 The number of ambulatory visits that have hypertension as the primary diagnosis is estimated to be 40.5 million.2 In 2006, there were 23,855 deaths due to hypertension, or 8 per 100,000 population.2
The National Institutes of Health has provided this hypertension advice for the lay public: Most of the time, high blood pressure can be controlled with medicine and lifestyle changes.3 Of course, this optimistic statement assumes that patients do not unknowingly take any action that would raise their blood pressure. For instance, some nonprescription medications may cause dangerous rises in blood pressure, and the labels reflect that danger by recommending that patients speak to a physician before using them. However, some patients ignore the labels completely. Others may choose to ask the pharmacist about the warning. For this reason, it is important for pharmacists to be aware of which products carry the warning and which alternative products may be recommended.
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Shopping Smart For The Heart
The next time youre staring down the long shelves of the cough and cold aisle, look past the list of symptoms in bold letters and make sure you consider the active ingredients in the smaller print.
If you suffer from hypertension, your heart will thank you.
And dont forget, theres more to decongesting than taking medication: drink more liquids, try using a humidifier, consider rinsing your sinuses with a saline solution and get lots of rest.
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Can Allergy Medications Increase Blood Pressure
Although allergies donât usually directly increase blood pressure, they can indirectly contribute to high blood pressure. When you choose to use decongestants, such as pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine , you can worsen the existing high blood pressure.
Although these medicines can ease nasal congestion and improve breathing, they can constrict blood vessels throughout the body, making the heart work harder to pump blood. This is what increases blood pressure.
When choosing an over-the-counter allergy medication, beware of combination products that contain decongestants. These products typically have the words sinus, cold, congestion, or decongestant on the label. They also might be labeled with the letters D, PD, or PE after the name.
If you choose to take an over-the-counter allergy product, look for one that doesnât contain pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine. Some Antihistamines can help with the congestion that accompanies allergies and is safer for the heart, such as cetirizine , fexofenadine diphenhydramine , and loratadine .
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How Do You Clear A Stuffy Nose
Here are ways you can clear nasal congestion:
- Drink lots of water and clear fluids. Fluids help thin mucus and ease congestion.
- Use a saline nasal spray or wash to flush out mucus.
- Apply adhesive strips to your nose to open nasal passages.
- Use humidifiers to moisten the air at your home and/or workplace.
- Ask your healthcare provider to recommend over-the-counter medication that treats nasal congestion. Be sure they know about all medications you take so they can recommend medications that wont interact with your existing medications.
- If nasal congestion keeps your baby from nursing or taking a bottle, use a nasal bulb syringe to clear mucus from their nose.
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