Why do decongestants affect sleep?
Decongestants have their affect on the body by shrinking the size of the small blood vessels in the nose, sinuses and mucous membranes of the respiratory tract. Unfortunately, the same effect that causes this blood vessel constriction, is what has its affect on our sleep patterns. These drugs stimulate the same receptors in the body that are affected by adrenaline. For instance, the feeling you get when you are scared or nervous—your heart races, your blood pressure goes up, and you feel anxious. These are all side effects of decongestants. For this reason, people may find it hard to fall asleep or stay asleep. If this happens to you, contact you doctor or pharmacist about dosing regimens that may help reduce these effects. Also, you should avoid using these products if you have certain medical conditions such as hyper-thyroidism or high blood pressure. If your not sure, call your doctor or pharmacist before taking these types of products. • How can having high blood pressure affect
