"Is there any effective, non-habit forming OTC nasal sprays available to treat bad sinus congestion??"

Asked by bchugh 27 months ago

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"Depends on the source of the conjestion and if it is acute or chronic."
 by YuLiQigong on Nov 15 2007 (27 months ago)
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"Four Way" used to have several ingredients, but now varies between one and two. It is the 12 hour formulas that seem to have the habit forming problems and they also can cause rebound, where you need them more and more often.

Plain salt water can help too. There is an Ayurvedic treatment for sinus conjestion: Put a small amount of salt water in the palm of your hand and snort it into you nose, hold and then blow it out. Repeat with the other nostril.

You may also need a decongestant or antihistamine.
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"A saline nasal spray works great and is non-addictive and has no side effects."
 by themarquis on Nov 15 2007 (27 months ago)
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A saline nasal spray is your best bet.  Saline is merely slightly salty water, and is completely harmless to your body and non-habit forming.  A saline spray may sound too simple, but it really does work.  It softens mucous in your nose and sinuses and allows them to harmlessly drain away.  When I use a saline spray, I spray a few times in each nostril (you can spray as many times as you like) and then tilt my head back for a little while.  You will actually feel some of your congestion drain!  Then, after at least a minute or two has passed, I blow my nose to remove more mucous.  Then, if I am really congested, I do the whole thing over again!  Eventually, it will completely clear my sinuses.
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"No but try plain saline"
 by paula8297 on Nov 15 2007 (27 months ago)
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No all of the OTC nasal sprays contain a drug that shrinks the tissue, but they just swell back up again later even worse.  This is what makes it "habit-forming".  Try a nose spray that just contains saline, the salt will pull water out of the swelled tissue and give you some relief (but it doesn't work as well as regular nose spray)
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"Affrin"
 by Bibliobabe on Nov 15 2007 (27 months ago)
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I fell in love with the stuff a couple of years ago and it is awesome.  They have several formulas.  If I am dealing with allergies or a cold I use Affrin Gel with menthol.  For regular night time congestion I use the extr moisturizing gel.  I always use the no drip gel.  The stuff works wonders for me and I Don't find it habbit forming in the least.

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"have you tried anti-histamines?"
 by marj on Nov 15 2007 (27 months ago)
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I don't know much about nasal sprays as I don't use them but I suffer with a lot of congestion which I put down to allergies I found tissue salts for allergies very helpful and they're homeopathic!
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Latest post on this question's discussion board:

You might try Four Way Moisturizing Saline Mist. I get it on Drugstore.com and I have tried all the various saline sprays but this is the best as it has a moisturizer (can't think of name) in it. I can't find it in my city, only the regular Four Way and it's not as good. Make sure you get the one that says "moisturizing" in it. There are so many good reviews on it on the website.
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