What is a decongestant pill?
Decongestants are medicines that help relieve a congested (stuffy) nose. The congestion can be caused by a cold virus or by the flu, sinusitis, or allergies. Most decongestants come in pill or liquid form. When you buy decongestants at the store without a prescription, they are called over-the-counter (OTC) medicines.
What does decongestant mean?
decongestant, any drug used to relieve swelling of the nasal mucosa accompanying such conditions as the common cold and hay fever.
What is the difference between a decongestant and an antihistamine?
While antihistamines work to prevent and quell allergy symptoms by blocking the effects of histamine, decongestants work by narrowing your blood vessels, decreasing swelling and inflammation. Decongestants offer relief by helping to break the vicious cycle of continuous congestion and pressure.
What is a decongestant?
Definition of decongestant : an agent that relieves congestion (as of mucous membranes) : a medicine that helps stop thick fluid from building up in your nose, throat, or chest when you have a cold or similar illness : an agent that relieves congestion (as of mucous membranes) : relieving or tending to relieve congestion nasal decongestant action
What is the meaning of de-conested?
(dē′kən-jĕst′) tr.v. de·con·gest·ed, de·con·gest·ing, de·con·gests To relieve the congestion of (sinuses, for example).
How does pseudoephedrine work to treat nasal congestion?
‘By acting directly on alpha-adrenergic receptors in the mucosa of the respiratory tract, pseudoephedrine produces vasoconstriction leading to nasal decongestion.’ ‘Stimulating reflexology points on the feet which correspond to the eyezone area helps to aid decongestion by increasing circulation.’
What is the best decongestant for a cold?
— Erika Edwards, NBC News, 6 Jan. 2021 Decongestant: Congestion is a key feature of colds or the flu, and a decongestant is a cornerstone of any medicine cabinet. — Ryan Prior, CNN, 4 June 2020 For allergies, there’s Allegra, Benadryl, and Claritin, plus epinephrine pens and pseudoephedrine, a decongestant.