The doctor revealed the consequences of prolonged use of vasoconstrictor drops

Prolonged use of vasoconstrictor nasal drops can lead to serious health consequences. The uncontrolled use of such drugs causes a number of problems, including the development of chronic diseases. Igor Manevich, an otorhinolaryngologist at JSC "Medicine" (Academician Roitberg Clinic), told Izvestia about this on April 8.

According to him, the main danger lies in the development of drug dependence, when a constant increase in the dose of the drug is required to achieve the effect. Over time, the nasal mucosa stops responding to droplets, leading to a condition known as tachyphylaxis. An even more serious consequence is the development of vasomotor rhinitis, a chronic inflammation of the nasal mucosa. With this disease, shortness of breath becomes permanent.

"Vasoconstrictor drops mainly act locally, with their excessive use, the active substance may enter the systemic bloodstream. This can cause effects such as increased blood pressure, increased heart rate, headache, anxiety, and insomnia," the doctor said.

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In addition, such drugs, according to the expert, can mask the symptoms of more serious diseases, such as sinusitis or allergic rhinitis.

For the treatment of drug addiction, Manevich offers an integrated approach. At the initial stages, nasal rinsing with saline solution, inhalation and the use of corticosteroid sprays are effective. He explained that physiotherapy also shows good results: electrophoresis and laser exposure to the nasal mucosa.

"This problem can be effectively solved with minimally invasive surgical interventions on the nasal mucosa. For example, laser vasectomy is an absolutely painless and bloodless laser surgical method that leads to compression of an overgrown and diseased mucosa. It eliminates the symptoms as much as possible for many years," said the otorhinolaryngologist.

However, the doctor noted that any of the treatment methods will only work if the patient is motivated to get rid of the disease himself.

Earlier, on March 21, Tatyana Bobrova, a general practitioner and expert at the Hemotest laboratory, told Izvestia about the causes of exacerbation of chronic diseases in the spring. At this time, according to Bobrova, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract such as gastritis, cholecystitis, gastric and duodenal ulcers worsen. This is due to the cyclical nature of the diseases themselves, changes in the length of the day, diet, as well as internal factors, primarily vitamin and mineral deficiencies after winter.