If you have stuffy nose or/and  sinus headache...

What you can do?

  • Boost the relative humidity in your home by using a humidifier. This keeps your mucous becoming excessively dry, so you can blow out accumulated mucus. 

 

  • Drink ample amounts of fluid to maintain fluid in your body.

 

Over the counter treatment

Oral decongestants

Due to the effect of constricting blood vessels, nasal decongestants can raise one's blood pressure. People with high blood pressure will need to be very careful or best to avoid using a nasal decongestants. 
 

Side effects of decongestants

Pseudoephedrine 
 (Brand Name: SUDAFED®)

  • May interfere with sleep due to stimulant effects

  • May raise blood pressure

  • May increase heart rate

 

Nose Sprays

Decongestant containing nasal spray can relieve swollen nasal tissues without affecting other organ systems. However, nasal sprays work so fast and so well that many people are tempted to use them longer than the 3-day limit. This can lead to a "rebound" reaction, in which the tissues respond to the drug in the decongestants by producing even more mucus than before. 

Oxymetazoline
 (Brand Name: AFRIN® nasal spray, VICKS SINEX® 12 HOUR)

 

 

 

  • Works immediately 

  • Effect last for 12 hours

  • May cause rebound congestion after using it for 3 days

 

Phenylephrine 
 (Brand Name: NEO-SYNEPHRINE®)

 

  • Works immediately

  • Shorter duration of effect

  • May cause rebound congestion after using it for 3 days

How do nasal decongestants work?

 

Saline nasal spray 
 (Brand Name: OCEAN® nasal spray)

 

  • Safest

  • Can be use in infants/children

  • Contains no decongestant