Dr Suraj Kukadia, who is known as Dr Sooj on social media, has warned against using a common over-the-counter medicine too frequently as it could have a damaging effect on your health
NHS doctor Dr Suraj Kukadia – better known as Dr Sooj on social media – has dropped a bombshell about the dangers of over-reliance on a popular over-the-counter remedy.
In a viral clip, he’s been schooling followers on the perils of getting hooked on nasal sprays commonly used to combat blocked noses. Dr Sooj didn’t mince words when he said to his viewers: “It is really common for people to become addicted to nasal sprays so I’m gonna show you how to get off them. If your nasal spray is a decongestant that contains xylometazoline, oxymetazoline, pseudoephedrine, phenylephrine or anything like that then this is for you.”
Decongestants, those handy quick-fixes for stuffy noses brought on by the likes of colds, flu, and allergies, work their magic by constricting blood vessels in the schnoz. But, as Dr Sooj points out, these meds can lose their mojo after just a few days, leading to worse congestion than before a phenomenon he calls ‘rebound congestion’.
He said: “When the medication wears off and your vessels dilate, you get ‘rebound congestion’ which means that blood flow just floods into nasal passageways and then your nose becomes so much more stuffy, blocked and congested than it was before you even tried the medicine.”
The NHS website advises “most decongestants should only be used between 1 and 4 times a day”, reports Gloucestershire Live. It further states: “Decongestant nasal sprays and drops should not be used for more than a week at a time because using them for too long can make your stuffiness worse.”
Side effects of decongestants:
- feeling sleepy (look for non-drowsy medicines)
- irritation of the lining of your nose
- headaches
- feeling or being sick
- a dry mouth
- feeling restless or agitated
- a rash
Dr Sooj suggested several ways to reduce dependence on these products, although he warned some methods aren’t very pleasant. The most challenging approach was to quit abruptly, or go ‘cold turkey’. “It’s going to be an absolute nightmare for weeks, months and some people even report it being horrible for about a year,” he explained. “But, in the long term, it’s probably worth it.”
Alternatively, Dr Sooj recommended continuing to use the sprays but only in one nostril at a time, allowing for clear breathing through at least one during the recovery period. A less severe but potentially easier strategy would be to extend the time between doses, starting from every two hours to gradually increasing to two and a half or three hours over days or weeks, the doctor said.
Dr Sooj advised seeking medical advice if the challenge appears too daunting, as doctors can provide treatments like nasal steroids, saline rinses, or oral decongestants to help wean off the medication. If you have any concerns about your nasal spray or its correct usage, don’t hesitate to consult your doctor.
