According to the data statistical research Vasoconstrictor sprays and nasal drops (adrenergic agonists) are the most popular medications used by patients when they develop rhinitis (runny nose).

A standard situation: a person has a runny nose, he goes to the pharmacy, buys the vasoconstrictor nasal drops he likes, and begins active “treatment” of the disease.

The tragicomic nature of the situation lies in the fact that vasoconstricting drops in the nose have nothing to do with the treatment of a runny nose.

Similar nasal drops are produced in order to relieve swelling of the nasal mucosa that occurs with rhinitis. That is, in other words, such drugs for intranasal use eliminate only one symptom of the disease. And even then for a short time.

After a certain period of time, a person taking such nasal drops may become addicted or dependent on a particular drug.

The medical name for emerging dependence on sprays or nasal drops is.

Causes of addiction

The main reason why addiction to nasal drops appears is non-compliance with the instructions for use of the medicine.

A large number of people, in principle, do not bother reading the instructions for the purchased nasal medication. Such frivolity stems from the belief that a runny nose is such a trivial phenomenon that you can’t even call it a disease. In addition, numerous advertisements insistently claim that for rhinitis, all you have to do is drop certain drops into your nose, and all problems will immediately disappear.

Meanwhile application vasoconstrictor drugs requires increased caution and attention. Ignoring the recommendations of the instructions for use will certainly cause drug dependence.

The maximum period for taking adrenergic agonists, depending on the specific drug, is from 3 to 7 days.

Symptoms of addiction to drops

The main symptom of addiction is the complete inability blood vessels located in the mucous membrane of the nasal cavity, independently regulate their own tone. That is, to narrow and expand without medications.

In other words, the feeling of nasal congestion only goes away when you take nasal drops. The patient in the full sense of the word becomes a hostage to this or that medicine.

Dependence on vasoconstrictor sprays and drops is in many ways similar to narcotic addiction.

Other symptoms of rhinitis medicamentosa include:

• itching and burning in the nasal passages;
• complete or partial loss of smell;
• feeling of constant congestion;
• difficult nasal breathing;
• the presence of clear mucous discharge.

At the first sign drug-induced runny nose treatment should be started.

How to get rid of addiction at home?

First of all, you should completely stop using the nasal spray. If the situation is not advanced, then after experiencing a certain feeling of discomfort, after a while the mucous membrane will recover and free nasal breathing will return.

The recovery period is purely individual and depends on the characteristics of each person’s body, as well as on the degree of development of medicinal rhinitis. On average it ranges from 1 to 4 weeks.

Unfortunately, it is not always possible to get rid of the medication you are using. What to do in such cases?

Try these methods:

• increase the time intervals between doses of the pharmacological agent;
• in order to reduce the concentration of the active treatment substance - dilute the medicine clean water;
• try to bury it first in one nostril, and after a sufficiently long time in the other;
• spend more time in the fresh air;
• carry out wet cleaning and ventilate the apartment;
• When sleeping, take a position in which your shoulders and head are elevated;
• Take warm foot baths daily;
• eat more fruits containing vitamin C.

Also, to get rid of a medicinal runny nose 3-5 times a day, you need to rinse the nasal cavity with saline or its countless analogues - medicinal solutions created on the basis of sea water.

In addition, you can use traditional medicine.

Recipe 1. Mix three-year-old (or older) aloe juice with clean water in a ratio of 1:2, respectively. Instill the medicine into each nasal passage 3-4 times daily, 4-5 drops.

Recipe 2. Mix liquid bee honey with clean water in a 1:1 ratio. The schedule for instilling the drug is the same as in the previous recipe.

Remember that you won’t be able to get rid of medicinal rhinitis in a few days. The condition of the nasal mucosa will improve gradually.

Treatment of addiction in a medical facility

In especially advanced and severe cases, no home treatment won't save you anymore. At very long-term use adrenomimetics, atrophy of the nasal mucosa may begin to develop.

In such situations, various physiotherapeutic techniques are used, as well as surgical interventions.

Physiotherapeutic methods include:

• mineral therapy;
• phytotherapy;
• capillary therapy;
• laser therapy.

Operative surgical interventions include:

• surgical laser intervention;
• cryotherapy;
• conchotomy;
• turbinoplasty;
• Septoplasty.

The necessary treatment and therapeutic methods are selected in each specific case by the attending physician. Quite often used Various types.

Which nasal drops are harmless?

All such medications should be taken only after thoroughly reading the accompanying instructions.

What to look for Special attention when reading the annotation:

• deadline for uninterrupted reception;
• recommended dosages;
• intervals between doses.

Remember once and for all, harmless, non-addictive nasal drops and sprays that constrict blood vessels simply do not exist.

How to stop using vasoconstrictor drops and nasal sprays.

Getting used to using vasoconstrictor drops(decongestants) that help quickly get rid of the feeling of severe nasal congestion, do you no longer leave the house without a bottle of life-saving medicine? This means that the material in this article will be useful to you.

How to wean yourself off vasoconstrictor drops and nasal sprays? What are the dangers of constant use of the medicine and will there be any serious problems with health after long-term use of spray or drops? Read about all this in the article.

I can’t live without nasal drops: what should I do?

At first, you applied the vasoconstrictor two or three times during the day. This made breathing very easy. However, now you notice that the drug only works for a few hours and you have to resort to using the medicine again.

Among clinic patients who complain of addiction to vasoconstrictor drugs, you can find not only those who have been using the medicine for 5 years. Even such “record holders” who have “experience” of continuous 20 years are asking for help in getting rid of addiction to sprays and drops. summer use medicines.

Doctors state that they have to deal with such patients on a weekly basis. One of the most common mistakes in treating a runny nose in patients is continuing to take decongestants after a week from the start of treatment. Accustoming to the drug occurs.

One of the most common mistakes in the treatment of a runny nose in patients is the continuation of taking decongestants after a week from the start of treatment.

The mechanism of the problem can be described in the following way: when “providing constant assistance» sprays and drops into the nose, it loses the ability to function independently.

• The vessels of the nasal cavity swell, the nasal turbinates become larger in size, and the area of ​​the nasal passages, on the contrary, decreases. As a result, more secretion is released, and discomfort nasal congestion only gets worse. You have to reapply drops or spray.
• A side effect of long-term use of vasoconstrictors is stimulation of elevation blood pressure. The problem gets worse when arterial hypertension, increased intraocular pressure.
• Therefore, doctors strongly recommend that such patients stop taking vasoconstrictor drugs after 5 days from the start of treatment.

I can’t live without nasal drops: what to do

Reasons for the popularity of vasoconstrictor drugs:

• Drops and sprays that help relieve nasal congestion are available (they can be bought without a prescription).
• Some patients are too arrogant and frivolous about their own health, so they can independently “diagnose themselves and prescribe” treatment. They mistake prolonged nasal congestion for allergic reaction, therefore they do not stop taking the vasoconstrictor.
• In case of serious inflammatory process upper respiratory tract, it is recommended to stop taking vasoconstrictor drops and look for real reasons disturbing symptoms by contacting an otolaryngologist. The doctor will prescribe appropriate treatment.

If addiction to a vasoconstrictor drug begins, doctors resort to surgical treatment

Why is nasal congestion worse in the evening?

• In the evening, a person is less active. In a horizontal position (lying on a sofa or bed), blood flow in the vessels of the nasal cavity slows down.
• The weakening of the tone of the vascular wall during rhinitis leads to the fact that the vessels and capillaries cease to cope with their function - pumping incoming blood. They swell, edema appears, and it is difficult for the patient to breathe.

If addiction to a vasoconstrictor drug begins, doctors resort to surgical treatment. Previously, to widen the nasal passages, such patients were prescribed a traditional lower conchotomy. The result of the procedure was complete or partial removal of the mucous membrane of the nasal concha. Now doctors have more gentle procedures at their disposal - laser cauterization technologies.

But as a result surgical intervention in the absence of pronounced hypertrophy, they may appear undesirable consequences:

• mucosal function is impaired
• trophic processes develop
• the patient complains of increased dryness in the nose

Treatment of drug-induced rhinitis in Lately carried out using nasal topical corticosteroid drugs. You should not count on a lightning-fast effect, but the cause of congestion is cured. Such drugs cannot be combined with vasoconstrictor drops and sprays. Otherwise, the patient will not be able to get rid of drug addiction.

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Can you die from nasal drops?

Vasoconstrictor drugs can be life-threatening. This should be remembered when using them to treat runny nose in children.

Many people do not think at all about the consequences of self-medication, especially if we're talking about about a common runny nose. There are many different vasoconstrictor drugs in pharmacies: drops, sprays, aerosols.

Their action is based on vasoconstriction. The swelling is removed, which significantly reduces mucus formation. The longed-for freedom of nasal breathing comes. However, it only lasts a few hours.

Those who are accustomed to the use of vasoconstrictor drugs should know the following:

• nasal drops and sprays do not have a therapeutic effect
• when they are used, only the symptoms are removed, which resume after a while
• the effect of the drug does not last long, after which swelling appears again
• To treat any runny nose, not only vasoconstrictor drugs should be used
• Nasal drops and sprays should be used as an auxiliary therapy to facilitate nasal breathing

For a runny nose, patients use not only naphthyzin. Today pharmaceutical market offers many other vasoconstrictor drops. Only their composition and duration of action differ. An overdose of any of these drugs by 3-4 times can cause a complication - naphthyzine poisoning.

With prolonged intake of the drug into the body, its accumulation occurs, which means the symptoms of naphthyzine poisoning are aggravated

Reasons why naphthysine poisoning occurs:

• the concentration of the solution does not correspond to the age of the patient
• it is difficult to visually determine the number of droplets that have entered the nose
• uncontrolled use of drops

What signs can be used to determine the mild or initial stage of naphthyzine poisoning:

• the patient experiences increased agitation
• heartbeat increases
• the patient feels dizzy
• the patient begins to experience abdominal pain

With prolonged intake of the drug into the body, its accumulation occurs, which means the symptoms of naphthyzine poisoning are aggravated:

• the heart begins to beat slower
• blood pressure decreases
• the patient feels lethargic, weak and drowsy
• There is no tone in the arms and legs
• confused consciousness
• body temperature decreases
• the patient turns pale
• skin is cold and damp
• shallow breathing

This serious condition may result in coma and even death.

How to help a patient with such symptoms?

• call an ambulance
• stop taking medications
• cover the patient with a warm blanket
• give warm drink
• measure pressure and temperature
• try to prevent the patient from losing consciousness and falling asleep before the ambulance arrives

Vasoconstrictor drugs are used from 2-3 to 5-7 days, after which their use is stopped. This time must be used as efficiently as possible to treat the inflammatory process.

How to relieve dependence on vasoconstrictor drops and nasal sprays?

If you are inclined to vasomotor rhinitis(breathing is impaired due to narrowing of the nasal cavity):

• It is not a disease of the nasal cavity that leads to unpleasant congestion, but an illness of the body. It is associated with the vegetative nervous system. In some diseases, it makes itself felt with certain symptoms. One of them is nasal congestion.
• Changing your lifestyle and strengthening your ANS will help you get rid of the disease. Hardening procedures are recommended, more motor activity, Adoption contrast shower. If you continue or do not want to get rid of old habits, the patient will not get rid of rhinitis.
• It is not enough to just relieve the symptoms. It is necessary to influence the cause of their appearance. To do this, the patient must be diligent and not count on quick results.

How to relieve dependence on vasoconstrictor drops and nasal sprays

How many days does it take to wean off vasoconstrictor drops and nasal sprays?

When you stop taking vasoconstrictor medications, the patient may experience a painful state of nasal congestion. To feel normal both day and night, doctors recommend the following:

• stop using drops or sprays for 2-3 days
• endure unpleasant symptoms

Usually discomfort is felt for another 3 days. However, such “torture” will pay off handsomely, because the patient will not have to “feed” his dependence on the use of vasoconstrictor drugs from year to year.

• You can ease difficulty breathing by using light massage movements over the area of ​​the external nasal turbinates.
• Breathing exercises will also help in the fight against nasal congestion. The essence of such gymnastics is to take a forced breath through the nose and exhale through the mouth. As a result of this method of breathing, the passages widen. The oxygen they contain dries out the nasal mucosa. Thanks to forced inhalation, the blood vessels are trained and tone up.
• To sleep without symptoms of nasal congestion, you can raise your pillow higher. Before going to bed, hot foot baths lasting 5 minutes are recommended. Add to bath water mustard powder. After foot baths there is a redistribution of blood flow from upper sections torso to the lower ones. This reduces the blood filling of the nasal vessels. Swelling decreases, nasal passages expand. As a result of this simple procedure, breathing becomes easier.

Video: VASOMOTOR RHINITIS

Vasoconstrictor drops, or anticongestants, are an affordable and popular remedy for the treatment of a runny nose. The drug reduces swelling and inflammation, which relieves congestion and normalizes nasal breathing. After application, the drops last from 4 to 12 hours, after which the symptoms return. Despite the effectiveness and fast action, anticongestants can lead to many side effects, and also cause strong addiction after 5-7 days of regular use. IN advanced cases medicinal rhinitis develops, which is very difficult to get rid of. From the article you will learn how to wean yourself off vasoconstrictor nasal drops.

Features of the use of vasoconstrictors that are addictive

Nasal congestion is one of the characteristic signs of rhinitis, or runny nose. It also appears during an attack of seasonal, year-round allergies (hay fever). It is called, which disrupts the process of natural nasal breathing. Vasoconstrictor drugs are considered the most effective for treatment. After contact with swollen tissues, they act on receptors, causing immediate vasoconstriction. That is why they are often called adrenergic agonists.

The positive effect can last up to 12 hours, after which congestion returns again. This leads to the need to use similar drugs again and again.

You can familiarize yourself with the list of drops for nasal congestion.

All anticongestants can be identified by their characteristic name, which contains the suffix “-zoline”. For example, xylometazoline, oxyxylometazoline or naphazoline. This is due to the fact that everything active ingredients belong to one chemical group, have a similar formula.

Development and manifestation of dependence on drops

In most cases, dependence on vasoconstrictor drops develops when the dosage and dosage regimen of the drugs is not followed. Since they act directly on the receptors, the natural neuromotor circuit is disrupted, which leads to characteristic symptoms.

The first sign of addiction is constant congestion that cannot be relieved by vasoconstrictor drops. This is explained by the fact that the vessels can no longer contract and expand on their own without external stimulants. Associated symptoms often appear:

• feeling of dryness, burning in the nose;
• complete or partial loss of smell;
• severe congestion;
• copious discharge of watery mucus.

This clinical picture is called drug-induced rhinitis. The disease often progresses to chronic form, does not respond well to traditional treatment.

What is the danger of dependence on drugs for the common cold and how to get rid of it?

It is very easy to get used to the drug. But to stop using them and abandon them forever - no. Drug-induced rhinitis caused by taking vasoconstrictor drugs does not threaten human life and health. However, the state of health deteriorates significantly, leading to severe discomfort. Chronic severe nasal congestion occurs, which can only be relieved with the help of drops.

In addition, the sense of smell decreases, up to complete anosmia. The mucous membrane becomes dry and disturbed natural production mucus. This is dangerous because Airways dust, germs and allergens enter freely. Often, drug-induced rhinitis is complicated by respiratory diseases and decreased immunity.

Read how to get rid of nasal congestion due to allergies.

Dependence on vasoconstrictor drops is especially dangerous in children. Against this background there arise constant respiratory diseases, the risk of infection increases significantly even with the slightest exposure to the pathogen.

How to cure addictions at home and stop using drops

From drug-induced rhinitis to early stages You can get rid of it at home. Treatment technology:

• change the drug for the treatment of the runny nose, it is advisable to use products with a different active ingredient;
• reduce the number of daily instillations, for example, carry out the procedure only before bedtime;
• try not to use drops at the first feeling of nasal congestion. If possible, restore breathing with moisturizing preparations for irrigation (, Aqualor and others);

The average cost of the drug in Russia is 330 rubles.

• in parallel, use traditional methods of treating a runny nose in order to get rid of the disease as quickly as possible;
• warm up regularly maxillary sinuses, do inhalations with natural oils.

If within 2-3 weeks it is not possible to get rid of the signs of drug-induced rhinitis, you should contact a qualified specialist to treat the problem.

You can read the instructions for use of Aqualor.

It is important to take an allergy test to exclude an exacerbation of hay fever.

Medical solution to the problem - what can be replaced and how to wean off nasal medications

Depending on severity clinical picture, apply various methods traditional medicine, which will help you get rid of vasoconstrictors and restore the nasal mucosa. If dependence on drops is expressed only by congestion, it is necessary to treat with aromatherapy or herbal medicine. Used for treatment essential oils pine, eucalyptus and mint, as well as decoctions of chamomile, calendula and sage for nasal rinsing and inhalation. It's safe and soft way therapy, suitable for children during pregnancy.

In more advanced cases, hardware methods are used to stimulate work vascular system, blood flow processes are normalized. For this purpose, laser therapy, capillary therapy and lithotherapy are used.

If the physiological effect does not bring the desired result, surgical treatment of the problem is prescribed. For this purpose, conchotomy is used (can be performed using a laser or under the influence of low temperature, as well as surgically).

How to quickly cure a runny nose for adults folk remedies read .

Surgical treatment medicinal rhinitis is an extreme measure, which is resorted to when other methods do not lead to recovery or relief of the condition.

How many days does “withdrawal” last – how to quickly stop taking medications

The most severe condition when discontinuing vasoconstrictor drugs is observed in the first 2-3 days, especially symptoms intensify in the evening. After this, nasal congestion and other characteristic features last for another 3-5 days, depending on the state of health of the body, they can be acute or sluggish. Normally, relief occurs a week after stopping the decongestant.

There are several ways to reduce the severity of weaning off drops and weaning off them for good. The most effective of them:

• massage the nasal area throughout the day;
• use methods breathing exercises, for example, forced inspiration;
• warm up your feet before going to bed;
• Raise your pillow higher to relieve nasal congestion at night.

In addition, throughout treatment it is useful to take vitamin supplements, adjust your diet and try to drink as much fluid as possible. Water with lemon juice, natural juices and fruit drinks.

How to restore the nasal mucosa, stop dripping drops and prevention

Dependence on vasoconstrictor drops is easier to avoid than later for a long time it's painful to try. Basic preventive measures:

• observe the dosage and duration of the course of taking anticongestants;
• after 3-5 days it is advisable to change the drug;
• regularly ventilate the room and carry out wet cleaning;
• Irrigate and rinse the nose daily with saline solution and ready-made isotonic preparations;
• at the slightest relief of the condition, stop dripping vasoconstrictor drops and replace them with a moisturizer.

Before taking vasoconstrictor drops for the first time, you should carefully read the instructions for use, familiarize yourself with the recommended dosage and possible complications.

Video

This video will tell you how to get rid of dependence on vasoconstrictor drugs for the nose.

conclusions

1. Vasoconstrictor drops, addictive, or anticongestants - a group of medications used to treat rhinitis. They act directly on vascular receptors, thereby reducing nasal congestion and making breathing easier.
2. Vasoconstrictor drops can be taken for no more than 5-7 days, after which dependence on the drug develops.
3. Drug-induced rhinitis is characterized by constant nasal congestion, which cannot be relieved without decongestants. The sense of smell deteriorates and anosmia appears. The body's natural defenses are reduced.
4. You can get rid of addiction at home with the help of breathing exercises, inhalations, and other traditional methods. As traditional treatment Physiotherapy is prescribed, and in advanced cases, surgery.
5. Withdrawal syndrome is most acute in the first 3 days after stopping the drug.

Getting used to vasoconstrictor drops is a fairly common problem that can cause unpleasant consequences for good health. To cope with the disorder, you need to consult a doctor. The specialist will prescribe effective medications and recommend home methods for getting rid of addiction. In some cases, it is not possible to do without surgery.

Reasons for the development of addiction

When treating a runny nose, many people often violate the dosage and duration of use of vasoconstrictor drops, trying to get a faster result.

However, not everyone knows that such drugs can cause unpleasant health consequences.

Long-term use similar drugs causes headaches, depression, sleep disturbances, gestational hypertension.

Such drops fall into the category of adrenergic receptor agonists, which stimulate adrenergic receptors in the vascular walls, leading to their narrowing. Due to adrenergic stimulation, a change in the production of muconasal secretion is observed.

The mechanism of action of vasoconstrictor drugs is aimed at eliminating swelling of the mucous membranes, reducing the volume of secretions and normalizing nasal breathing. Thus, nasal drops do not affect the causes of pathology - they only cope with unpleasant symptoms.

Uncontrolled use of such drugs provokes a decrease in vascular tone and atrophic processes in the mucous membranes.

As a result of these changes, breathing is impaired and complete dependence on such drugs occurs.

What to do in this situation? Simply stopping the use of such substances is not enough.

To improve your well-being, you need to see an otolaryngologist. The specialist will examine the patient’s medical history and pharmacological properties the means used.

Symptoms of addiction

As addiction develops, characteristic symptoms. The key symptom is the complete inability of blood vessels to independently regulate their tone.

Other signs of addiction include the following:

• feeling ;
• feeling chronic;
• violation of nasal breathing;
• partial or complete loss of smell;
• the appearance of a transparent mucous secretion.

Home Treatments for Addiction

Many people are interested in how to get rid of the addiction that appears from vasoconstrictor drugs. If the nose is accustomed to such substances, you can eliminate the disorder yourself only in the early stages of the pathology.

There are several treatment methods:

Abrupt withdrawal from the substance

In this case, the person is required good strength will. This technique gives results only in simple situations. The patient must wait a few days and not use drops.

For full recovery Nose work will take 10-15 days. However, the first results can be seen literally within a few days.

Gradual withdrawal of the drug

The basis of this technique is to deliberately increase the intervals between drug administration and reduce the dosage. In this case, it is recommended to switch to children's forms of the medicine or mix the usual remedy with saline.

In difficult moments, drops can be administered at night outside the planned period of time, but this can only be done in one nostril. This will help improve breathing, but the second nostril will recover at this point.

Changing medication

In this case, it is recommended to switch to a medication with another active ingredient. If you are dependent on xylometazoline, you can choose a drug made on the basis of naphazoline. Gradually it is necessary to abandon it. In addition, it is recommended to do inhalations, use homeopathic remedies. However, this can only be done under the supervision of a doctor.

The choice of a specific technique depends on individual characteristics sick. Moreover, a person must independently draw a conclusion which method suits him best.

Regardless of the treatment method, you should adhere to the following recommendations:

To wean yourself off vasoconstrictors, in addition to the listed methods of therapy, you can use effective folk recipes:

Medical Treatments for Addiction

If you have not been able to cope with the addiction on your own within 2-4 weeks, you should immediately contact an otolaryngologist.

Otherwise there is a risk of developing dangerous complications. Depending on the severity of the patient’s condition, the doctor may prescribe the following categories of drugs:

Features of restoration of mucous membranes after surgery

The human body is capable of recovering on its own.

Therefore, after surgical intervention It is enough to rinse the nose for 1 week saline solutions and remove dry crusts.

They should first be softened with oil - sea buckthorn or peach pits.

They are also actively used to restore mucous membranes. medicines who have oil base. These include the following:

• delufen;
• Euphorbium compositum;
• malavit-rino.

Don't forget about using natural oils V pure form. Thus, sea buckthorn and peach kernel oils not only significantly accelerate healing postoperative wounds, but also activate the regeneration of mucous membranes.

Rules for the treatment of pregnant women

During the period of bearing a child, you should not use vasoconstrictor drugs.

However, nasal congestion causes serious discomfort and can lead to various consequences for the child.

A lack of oxygen in the blood is fraught with the development of hypoxia, which, in turn, negatively affects the development of the fetus.

Therefore, many women resort to the use of vasoconstrictor drugs. However, such products can only be used under the supervision of a specialist. If addiction does appear, you should immediately contact an otolaryngologist. In simple cases, the doctor will give recommendations regarding gradual or sudden withdrawal of such drugs.

In more difficult situations You may need to use the medication until delivery. However, in this case, the drug is usually prescribed in a pediatric dosage. This will help relieve congestion and avoid negative consequences for a child.

Safe Drops Review

All vasoconstrictors that eliminate nasal congestion, can provoke addiction. However, there are drugs that help eliminate infection, strengthen local immunity, or improve breathing without affecting vascular tone. So, which drops are not addictive? Below is a list of effective medications:

Vasoconstrictor drugs have high efficiency and quickly normalize nasal breathing.

However, uncontrolled use of such drugs provokes addiction and other undesirable health consequences. Methods for eliminating such dependence directly depend on the degree of its severity. In any case, the appearance of symptoms of a disorder should be the basis for contacting an otolaryngologist.

Attention, TODAY only!

Often when severe runny nose many of us use vasoconstrictor drops so often that we ourselves do not notice how such a habit develops into a real drug addiction. How to wean yourself off nasal drops?

Methods to cope with dependence on topical anticongestants (vasoconstrictor drops) complex therapy. As part of the conservative treatment of drug-induced rhinitis, anti-inflammatory and decongestant medications, general stimulating sanitizing procedures, as well as physiotherapeutic methods - laser therapy, acupuncture, electrophoresis, etc. are used. Irrational use of anticongestants often causes the development of uncontrolled vasodilation - excessive relaxation muscle fibers in the walls of the arterioles that permeate the nasopharynx.

Violation of vascular tone leads to swelling of the nasal mucosa and, as a consequence, development. Treatment of non-advanced forms of the disease is carried out with the help of medications and physiotherapeutic procedures. For atrophic and hypertrophic changes in the tissues of the nasopharynx, surgical methods therapy – conchotomy, cryotherapy, etc.

Why does addiction occur?

How to get rid of addiction to nasal drops? Before we answer this question, we need to understand why decongestants are addictive. When dealing with a runny nose, most people limit themselves to using vasoconstrictor aerosols or drops. They contain substances (adrenaline receptor stimulants) that cause the arterioles in the nasopharynx to narrow. The reasons for the development of medicinal rhinitis lie in the long-term use of anticongestants.

Abuse of vasoconstrictors leads to the development of tachyphylaxis - rapid decline response to the action of the drug after its use. To relieve swelling, a person is forced to constantly increase the dose of drops used. All nasal decongestants belong to the group of vasoconstrictors, i.e. substances that affect the functioning of adrenaline receptors, which are located in the walls of blood vessels.

Systematic use of decongestants sooner or later leads to a “ricochet” effect. Refusal of vasoconstrictors activates compensatory mechanisms, during which the body tries to restore normal blood flow to the tissues in the nasal cavity. This is expressed in the dilation of blood vessels and increased production of nasal secretions.

Irrational use of anticongestants is fraught with hyperplasia (enlargement) of the mucous membranes and glands that produce nasal secretions.

If you do not stop using decongestants within 7 days, this will lead to drug-induced rhinitis, the development of which is based on vasodilation. It is quite difficult to cure addiction, since refusal of vasoconstrictor drugs negatively affects a person’s well-being - constant nasal congestion occurs, heavy transparent discharge, sneezing, etc.

Is it possible to give up the habit of putting decongestants in your nose on your own? You can get rid of “drip” addiction without the participation of an otolaryngologist only by initial stages its development. If vasoconstrictor medications have been used for years, it is likely that symptoms of drug-induced rhinitis will only be eliminated through physical therapy and surgery.

There are several ways to get rid of addiction:

• A sharp refusal. If you have been using vasoconstrictor medications for a relatively short time, abruptly stopping the medications will help you cope with the problem. As a rule, the “ricochet” effect persists for several days, after which vascular tone is restored and the runny nose goes away on its own;
• Gradual withdrawal. From chronic addiction get rid of it gradually, deliberately increasing the intervals between the use of anticongestants. To reduce the concentration of substances in the medicine, it is recommended to dilute it with saline or mineral water;
• Replacing the drug. Anticongestants containing xylometazoline are considered the most dangerous. To quickly get rid of “drip” addiction, it is recommended to replace the drug with drops that contain phenylephrine or naphazoline. After 1-2 weeks it is recommended to switch to homeopathic nasal preparations, as well as hypertonic solutions for rinsing the nasopharynx.

Vitamins C, B5, P and E help strengthen the walls of blood vessels and eliminate swelling in the nasal passages.

You can independently treat dependence on drops with the help of drugs that increase vascular tone - Dihydroquertecin, Ascorutin, Cavinton. With their help, it will be possible to eliminate vasodilation and, as a consequence, manifestations of drug-induced rhinitis.

Drug treatment

How to get rid of addiction to nasal drops? If a person cannot quit decongestants on his own within a month, he should seek help from a specialist. The attending physician will assess the condition of the nasopharyngeal mucosa and determine how much it has become “accustomed” to vasoconstrictors. In the absence of noticeable hypertrophic or atrophic changes V soft tissues the patient will be prescribed anti-inflammatory and anti-edematous medications that do not affect vascular tone.

Topical corticosteroids

Treatment of drip addiction is almost always accompanied by the use of local hormonal drugs, i.e. topical corticosteroids. They have pronounced anti-inflammatory properties, so they can be used to relieve swelling and inflammation in the nasal turbinates and internal nasal openings:

• "Rinoklenil";
• "Nasobek";
• "Beclomethasone Orion Pharma";
• "Flixonase".

Hormonal medications are contraindicated for people suffering from fungal diseases.

In cases where the patient cannot immediately refuse decongestants, the doctor simply reduces the dose of the drugs and simultaneously prescribes corticosteroids. During the treatment process, the regularity of use of vasoconstrictors gradually decreases, due to which the body weanes itself off vasoconstrictors almost painlessly.

Antihistamines

How to wean yourself off vasoconstrictor drops? Conservative treatment medicinal rhinitis is often accompanied by the use of antiallergic drugs. Like decongestants, they reduce swelling in the nasopharynx, but do not affect adrenaline receptors. To restore normal vascular tone in the mucous membrane, it is recommended to drip the following drugs into the nose:

• "Sanorin-Analergin";
• "Levocabastine";
• "Allergodil."

Antiallergic medications prevent the release of inflammatory mediators, which lead to swelling of the nasopharynx and, as a result, blockage of the nasal passages. If the symptoms of medicinal rhinitis are constantly bothering you, you can replace decongestants with antihistamine drops for a while.

Nasal rinsing solutions

You can get used to vasoconstrictors in literally five to ten days, but giving up their use is quite difficult. How can I wean myself off nasal decongestants? Hypertonic and isotonic salt solutions have pronounced anti-edematous properties.

As a rule, treatment of “drip” addiction involves the use of hypertensive drugs, which contain more than 0.9% sodium chloride. Drug-induced runny nose is cured using the following nasal remedies:

• "Dolphin"
• "Aqua Maris Strong";
• "Morenazal";

To achieve the desired results, nasal rinsing should be done at least 4-5 times a day. To relieve the symptoms of drug-induced rhinitis, avoid decongestants completely or replace them with homeopathic remedies.

Physiotherapy

What to do if medications do not help relieve nasal congestion? If, at a doctor’s appointment, a patient states, “I have been taking vasoconstrictor drops for more than 5 years,” in 90% of cases, instrumental examination found in the nasopharynx pathological changes. It should be understood that decongestants negatively affect the functioning of the glands that secrete nasal secretions. If you drip drops constantly, this will lead to insufficient mucus production and, as a result, dehydration and thinning (atrophy) of soft tissues.

Treatment of atrophic and hypertrophic changes in the nasal mucosa is carried out using physiotherapeutic procedures. They help strengthen the walls of blood vessels, restore the secretory activity of the glands in the nasopharynx and thereby stop the manifestations of a medicinal runny nose.

Laser therapy

How to cure drug runny nose? Laser therapy is often used to eliminate the symptoms of vasomotor and drug-induced rhinitis. Laser study has a beneficial effect on transcapillary processes in the arterioles that are located in the nasopharynx. After completing 7-10 sessions of laser treatment, you will completely get rid of addiction and vascular dystonia.

Instrumental therapy has an anti-inflammatory, vasoconstrictor and anti-edematous effect on the ciliated epithelium that covers the nasal turbinates. To soften the effect of laser study, after the procedure it is recommended to instill moisturizing drops into the nose - “Physiomer”, “No-Sol”, “Quix”, etc.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is one of the most effective methods of treating chronic and drug-induced runny nose. During the procedure, the specialist inserts thin needles into regional and segmental points that are located on the face. Stimulation of acupuncture points allows you to restore normal innervation of muscle fibers, which are responsible for the expansion and contraction of arterioles in the nasal cavity.

It is worth noting that the mechanism of action of acupuncture is currently poorly understood. Many doctors are skeptical about this treatment method, although practical results speak in its favor. Physiotherapy does not eliminate psychological addiction to nasal drops, but it helps eliminate somatic disorders caused by vasodilation, i.e. disturbance of vascular tone.

Electrophoresis

Electrophoresis – instrumental method treatment of ENT diseases, based on the introduction of drugs into the nasopharynx through electric current. The drugs commonly used are:

• thiamine (vitamin B2);
• pantothenic acid (vitamin B5);
• rutin (vitamin P);
• Diphenhydramine

Electrophoresis is contraindicated for people with impaired blood clotting and diseases of the cardiovascular system.

To reduce discomfort during electrophoresis, you need to instill analgesic substances into the nose. The duration of the session depends on the degree of vascular dystonia and the condition of the nasopharyngeal mucosa. Therapeutic effect observed after 10-12 sessions of electrophoresis.

Conclusion

Abuse of vasoconstrictor drops inevitably leads to drug-induced rhinitis. The development of the disease is based on vasodilation - dilation of blood vessels associated with relaxation of muscle fibers in vascular walls. Pathological processes provoked active substances, which are contained in decongestants - oxymetazoline, xylometazoline, naphazoline, etc.

How to treat dependence on vasoconstrictors? To wean yourself off anticongestants, you need to replace them with nasal medications of a different type - homeopathic, antiallergic, anti-inflammatory (topical corticosteroids), etc. In case of ineffectiveness drug treatment Physiotherapy (electrophoresis, laser treatment) is prescribed, which helps restore vascular tone and patency of the nasal passages.