Latest news with #Asthma
The Star
18-05-2025
- Health
- The Star
Meet Dr Nek Abd Rahman, Malaysia's very own 'Horse Whisperer - Horse Doctor' who has gained great fame in South-East Asia and also the world
In a recent international business forum in Kuala Lumpur, a tall gentleman was the limelight of the event with his witty and cheerful comments and how he spoke much on healthy living. Many thought he was a foreigner and an advocate for his health products with his strong English accent. But as it turned out, the tall gentleman with his cowboy outfit was, in fact, a true blood Malaysian. Meet Datuk Dr Nek Abd Rahman Saleh ... He goes by many names ... some call him the Malaysian cowboy, for many he is a 'Horse Doctor-Horse Whisperer' while others also know as a man who provides medicinal relieve for many health patients. But it all comes down to one thing - his boundless love for horses and also the medicinal value of horses milk for all kind of diseases. Yes, some also call him the magic doctor. Dr Nek and his family. While he is famed for horse raring abilities and recognised in the field of equestrian by the British Horse Society, United Kingdom, the University of Ballarat, Australia and the Osman Gazi University, Turkey -- these days, Dr Nek is also famous for his medicinal products, Niemans Feramilch - a supplement product based on mares milk. "This is a very special supplement. It is an effective alternatives against Cancer, Dengue, Leukemia, Allergies, Anaemia, Athritis, Asthma, and many other diseases," said a beaming Dr Nek. And he also pointed out that the product has been certified after studies by top Malaysian scientists from University Malaysia, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Universiti Putra Malaysia and also Universitas Brawijaya Indonesia In a scientific reading note: (" Pengambilan Niemans Feramilch secara berterusan didapati mampu mengawal dan mencegah sel-sel tubuh daripada rosak dan dijangkiti kanser, demikian menurut satu kajian. Di samping itu ia berupaya melambatkan proses penuaan, menghindarkan tekanan serta penyakit berkaitan darah seperti denggi, diabetes dan asma " - Prof Madya Dr. Rozita Rosli Timbalan Dekan (Penyelidikan dan Siswazah) Fakulti Perubatan dan Sains Kesihatan, UPM) -- it was confirmed that the product can help improve one's health from diseases. But while the product itself is a major achievement for Dr Nek, what he felt more compelled to talk about was his love for horses and the love he felt when he is with them. So much so, Dr Nek and his whole family rather stay away from the bustling city life and are now residing in their vegetable farm in Bukit Tinggi in Bentong, Pahang with their horses. "Horses they are everything for me. They are very important to me because they have basically given me so much. They are all part of the family. I love every one of them," said 69-year-old Dr Nek, who retired as a senior police officer in 2011. For the record, Dr Nek was born in 1956 in the State of Kelantan. He has been recognized in the field of equestrian by the British Horse Society, United Kingdom, the University of Ballarat, Australia and the Osman Gazi University, Turkey. He chose to retire early from the PDRM at 55. His last position was as an Assistant Superintended of Police was at Bukit Aman Kuala Lumpur. In line with his research with local and overseas universities, he also made efforts to /further his studies in medical law, project management and subsequently DBA-based equine business in the United Kingdom. His medical product business has expanded not only related to health products but also in the fields of education, training and events. He has been invited several times as a speaker in South-East Asia especially at universities and has also been a guest of international horse conferences and symposia. He has also written many journals on horse breeding and its medicinal products for international scientific research studies which was included in European and South-East Asian publications. Known as Nek Man by his peers in the equestrian world, Dr Nek says his passion for everything cowboy and horses didn't emerge in his early years growing up in Kelantan. It happened only 30 years ago, after a chance meeting with an Indonesian doctor who shared information about the properties of wild horse's milk. Fascinated by this new knowledge, Nek Man began his own research into horse milk, with the goal of starting a business. Dr Nek and his wife Datin Norhayati A. Rahim. The couple have been married for more than 40 years. He even returned to university to study medical law, project management and later pursued an equine business programme in Britain. 'All of this was for the benefit of my business and interest. The more I learned, the more I fell in love with the equine world – and the more of a cowboy I became,' says Dr Nek. He eventually became a prominent figure in the equine community in Malaysia and began representing the country on a global stage. One notable event was the Turkmen Horse Festival in Turkmenistan in 2013. 'That's when I was given the title Malaysian Cowboy by fellow participants from the United States,' says Dr Nek. 'Since then, wherever I go, I'm introduced as the Malaysian Cowboy,' he adds. In a more formal capacity, Dr Nek serves as the president of the Asean Horse Society, the patron of Persatuan Aktiviti Kuda Kelantan, an advisor to the Thailand-American Cowboy Association, and a committee member of the Indonesian Thoroughbred Association. In 1996, Dr Nek founded and established a company, Setia Brothers Sdn Bhd with a specific purpose that is to lead the equine related business specifically in the Biotechnology based on the horses' milk. Due to high commitment in the government sector, he entrusted the business to be headed by his wife. In order to ensure that the product is valuable, researches was also conducted not only to rely on the testimony of the customers but to serve as an assurance of the safety of the product. The first research collaboration was established with Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) in finding the reaction response to various types of cancer. Consequently, another research collaboration was conducted with Universiti Malaya (UM) for tropical diseases caused by mosquito-borne viruses. This was followed by another research collaboration with Universitas (University) Brawijaya, Indonesia that focused on studies related to skin diseases. The collaboration with Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), was focused on Diabetes Mellitus Type 2, and the collaboration with Avanticell Science Scotland in the study of prostate cancer. There are other agencies and organisations that helped conducted further research including IMR, JPVM and others. "After being satisfied with the studies and researches conducted, finally a product under the brand 'Niemans Feramilch' was released for Malaysian and international market. The thing that is most proud of is that, this study is the first study and the first success of a horse-based dairy product to help 'CML' and 'ALL' blood cancer patients in the alternative (supplements) forms of medication," said Dr Nek. Dr Nek, from all his research, said he has found the milk from female horses are best from Papua (Irian Jaya) because they are fed grass which come from volcano hills in the island. "These are the best and from all my studies the milk from this land (Papua), the Irian Jaya wild horses, are the best for my products and I'm very thankful this product has helped many people from their pains and also lead a better and healthy lifestyle," said Dr Nek. "I have many friends from the island, who are now helping me, taking care of the horses and also sending the milk products. But business apart, it is my love of horses that has brought me this far. They are simply wonderful beings that were created by god and I'm happy I can just communicate with them so easily and it has been a big turning point in my career and life." Naturally, Dr Nek's strong passion for horses and the cowboy lifestyle has spread to his small family as the family members also help our Dr Nek with his medical product business. Married to Datin Norhayati A. Rahim for more than 40 years, his business now is also run by his son Nek Ahmad Maheer and his wife Nora Shahida. Maheer and Nora have three children - Nek Ariana Balqis, Nek Aryan Muhriz and Nek Armel Medina. When Dr Nek started his business, and because he was still in the police force, and to avoid a conflict of interest, Norhayati rose to the challenge and managed the business. Not only did she have to learn the trade – including dabbling in accounts and marketing – but she also had to learn about horses – riding them, caring for them, understanding their diet, providing a conducive living space and managing their accessories. "I owe my wife so much. My wonderful soul mate and best friend. She has always been a rock for me. But these days, both the oldies are taking a break from the rigorous workload. My son and his wife are now taking more participation in the business as me and my wife need a bit more rest these days," said the smiling Dr Nek. "I'm also very happy that my son is also like me when it comes to horses. And my grandchildren too. And it is a big blessing that my daughter-in-law just love horses too," said Dr Nek. As for his decision to move away from the city, Dr Nek said it was a decision that was supported by all the members of the family. "When I expressed his desire to move to Bukit Tinggi, the surprising thing was everyone in my family was very happy,' said Dr Nek. 'They all just love the cowboy lifestyle and I'm so happy here, living with my horses and also the nature. 'This place (Bukit Tinggi) is peaceful and laidback, it's like going back to real nature. Here, we get to teach our grandchildren not to be afraid to play with dirt and puddles, and not to get hooked on gadgets,' added Dr Nek. "The more I learned, the more I fell in love with the equine world – and the more of a cowboy I became. And while my products help people to be more healthier, I'm just humbled that I can help people improve my life and also how horses has improved mine." So there you go, our very own 'Malaysian Cowboy' who once served the country with distinguish valour as a police officer and now serving people by helping them to lead a healthier lifestyle and at the same time, telling all the importance of horses to the community of humans. Hats off to our Dr Nek, Malaysia's very own 'Horse Doctor-Horse Whisperer' and may he continue to help people to a better state of life.
Muscat Daily
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Muscat Daily
Indian father-son duo share fitness secrets to swimmers in Muscat
Niren Philip has trained scores of interested persons to learn swimming in the sea, off Kalbou Park, on weekends. And while continuing his dedicated free service to swimmers in Muscat stay fit, he also helped his own son Ron shape up for a Triathlon. And how! Scores of seagulls fluttering over the cool, placid waves in the Arabian Sea, off the seafront near Kalbou Park in old Muscat, have to move on yonder on weekends to make way for a batch of swimmers who converge at a favourite spot at 6.30 am… As wet, glistening lycra and swimming goggles in fluorescent hues, (accompanied by spirited murmurs) provides a red-tide effect on the surface of the sea at this spot, the swimmers – young and not-so-young – guided by a few 'coaches', then begin to romance the waves as they undertake lessons in swimming against the tide. Some swimmers dexterously glide ahead a few hundred metres, others stay a short distance from the shore learning the strokes and strides. And a good amount of enthusiasm envelopes the arena as many take on their fears or realise their dreams with ease, as they befriend the waters and get acquainted with a new life skill. 'Swimming is a life-saving skill, everyone should learn swimming. And in our group (known as Alawi Swimming Academy) we help people interested in learning swimming to do so in an informal way – we have individuals as well as families joining every weekend,' says Niren Philip (53), an avid swimmer and coach who himself learned swimming in this group some years ago. An athlete in his younger days, Niren, admits that he faced immense bloating issues after undertaking medication for Asthma while he staying in Bangalore. But after coming to Oman, he joined this group to learn swimming and it completely changed his fitness profile as well as his mindset. He soon shaped up as a swimming coach and over the years shared his skills to help hundreds of swimmers to confront their fears of water and learn swimming. About the advantage of learning swimming in the sea, Niren said, learning to swim in the sea is easier as buoyancy is better due to the salinity. Also, in a pool, the expanse of water is limited and one gets a grip of bars along the edge after a certain distance, unlike the sea which is limitless and swimmers learn to stay afloat without holding onto anything. For safety, however, newcomers use buoys and stay closer to the shore, he assured. Niren has also taken part in Ironman events in Muscat, along with other team mates – who took up the cycling and running sections while he did the swimming part. He also taught his son Ron Philip to shape up as a good swimmer and guided him to take up all three sections of Triathlon events and complete it within a reasonable timeframe. 'In Oman, taking up fitness activities is very important. Many people think, 'will I be able to do it'. One has to overcome this thought and begin. Once you start, your mind and heart takes you to your goal,' he assured, adding that once swimmers prepare the right mindset, their bodies will help them achieve their target. Dad's the word Ron Philip shares how his father Niren Philip, not only trained and guided, but also inspired his path to fitness: Why did you learn swimming – what was your motivation? Learning swimming was a skill that my Dad wanted me to learn as it would help me survive in water, if ever needed. What motivated me to continue to stick with swimming and try to improve upon it was by watching amateurs and pros swim fast yet make it look effortless and smooth. Did your Dad train you mentally and physically? My father played a very big part in training me for all the sports I have ever played. He always motivated me and pushed me on to try different sports, to improve, and guided me through the whole journey. He made me train individually as well as with a coach and provided me guidance to make sure I was ready for any challenge. Why did you decide to take up triathlons? By the time I completed my undergraduate studies and shifted back to Muscat, my father had already completed two Ironman Team Relays, so I had a basic idea what triathlons and Ironman Triathlon was. When he suggested that I take up Triathlon as an activity, I felt an interest develop towards it as it consisted of 2 sports that I enjoy (swimming, running) and one that I always wanted to try out (cycling). So, it felt like getting the best of all worlds. This resulted in me having to train every single day as my dad set me a goal that was the Ironman 70.3 Muscat. The training was either one of the three sports every day and on some days 2 or 3 together. Training started out tough but as it progressed it gave me a keen sense of satisfaction and I enjoyed looking forward to completing the activities every day. What is your advice to youth in Oman? The only advice I could give, is to keep playing football as they already do, and also pick up some extra sport, like running swimming, etc to help them become more physically and mentally active. It will help them develop a more systematic and focused routine as they train for these sports. What is your most recent achievement and your immediate goal? My most recent achievement was my first Muscat Marathon – Half Marathon. It was a really good experience, I enjoyed seeing the massive crowd, the enthusiasm, and everyone's efforts paying off. It was a tough event, as I was still under recovery after completing the Ironman 2 weeks prior to the marathon, but I did enjoy it. For the time being, I'm focusing on training and staying fit. 'Coach Philip was the one who led me into the deep sea, helping me overcome my fear of the ocean. Thanks to his constant support, I was able to complete the Salalah Ironman successfully,' says Zahid Nadeem Khan.
Associated Press
06-05-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
New Data in the Severe Asthma Index Underscore Global Inequality in Severe Asthma prevention and care
On World Asthma Day 2025, Copenhagen Institute for Futures Studies announces a major expansion of the Severe Asthma Index. COPENHAGEN, DENMARK, May 6, 2025 / / -- This new update includes Argentina, Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Egypt, India, Israel, The Kingdom of Saudia Arabia, Mexico, Peru, South Africa, and the UAE. For the new countries, more than 1000 additional data points have been analysed and validated by national health experts, underlining the nuanced picture of severe asthma. The Index now consists of 3139 data points in total describing policy, access and care, health system, disease burden and environmental factors. Despite growing global focus on Asthma, this serious chronic respiratory condition continues to claim lives and burden health systems around the world. Every year, an estimated 455,000 deaths are attributed to asthma, most of them preventable with the right treatment and awareness of symptoms. To help address this challenge, the Copenhagen Institute for Futures Studies (CIFS) have created the Severe Asthma Index - a unique data-driven tool that evaluates how countries prevent, diagnose, and manage severe asthma. The goal of the Index is to provide a comprehensive overview of national performance and help inform more effective data-driven respiratory health policies. 'The Severe Asthma Index exposes a hard truth: we already have the science, the medicines, and the guidelines. What we lack is implementation at scale. People are still dying because severe asthma is under-recognised, affordable controller drugs and biologics are out of reach for many, and air-quality, housing, and tobacco policies remain disconnected from health goals.' says Aron Szpisjak, Head of Health at the Copenhagen Institute for Futures Studies. The expansion of the Severe Asthma Index particularly focuses on Latin America, where in many countries Severe Asthma is not formally recognized and even a few regulatory changes could prevent thousands of needless hospitalisations. This will be elaborated in the upcoming Spanish report on Severe Asthma in Latin America. The expansion of the severe asthma index is accompanied by 4 strategic calls to action to help policy makers go from what needs to be done and instead focus on how to do it: • Advance prevention and early intervention by addressing environmental triggers and ensuring timely access to treatment • Strengthen coherent long-term strategies through international collaboration to implement clinical guidelines based on global best practices • Improve severe asthma reporting by adopting standardised data collection methods and expanding the use of electronic health records to support evidence-based health system responses • Empower patients through education initiatives that raise awareness of asthma and support self-management Read more in the Severe Asthma index report, interact with our data and explore each country ranking and profile at . The Severe Asthma Index has been developed and expanded with unrestricted support from Sanofi and Regeneron. Toke Hanghøj Copenhagen Institute for Futures Studies +45 26 25 80 44 email us here Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
The Hindu
01-05-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
It's common but treatable: busting myths around asthma and its treatment
Breathing is essential for our lives. But for some of us who have asthma, taking a breath becomes a difficult task, and affects quality of life. Asthma has many names in India – Vaayu roga, Dama, Asthma, Saans ki bimari or Eazhai Noi. Though difficulty in breathing can occur due to multiple causes, for example heart failure, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) or interstitial lung disease, Asthma remains one of the most common causes of difficulty in breathing. Scope of the burden in India About 6 to 11 people in every 100 persons in India experience breathing difficulties due to asthma, making it a very common problem. Asthma is an inflammatory condition of the airways or breathing tubes inside the lungs, which are called bronchi. These air-tubes are a sensitive structure. When we get exposed to cold air or dust, these air-tubes may decrease a little bit in size, and one may feel a cough or suffocation for a few seconds. But in patients with asthma, there air-tubes are very sensitive due to inflammation, and they shrink in size significantly causing difficulties in breathing, with a wheeze and cough for many hours, days or sometimes weeks. An asthma diagnosis should be suspected when such wheezing or breathlessness has been occurring in episodes of few hours or weeks for few months or years. In between these episodes, a person could be completely fine. An asthma diagnosis can be confirmed with pulmonary function tests such as spirometry, oscillometry and FENO (Fraction of exhaled nitric oxide). A patient can also easily learn performing peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) measurements from his or her healthcare provider, and the changes in PEFR readings also help in confirming an asthma diagnosis. Treatment for asthma After confirming the diagnosis of asthma, treatment of asthma can be started in the form of corticosteroid inhalers. The dose of the corticosteroid in inhalers is very low (in micrograms) and usually very safe for use over many months and years. Inhaled bronchodilators like Salbutamol can be used as reliever medications for in-between symptoms relief. In a few selected patients with uncontrolled symptoms, newer therapies such as monoclonal antibody treatment or biologicals can help gain control over asthma symptoms. There are many common queries or myths about asthma in the society. Here, we will try to address these question one by one. I often develop a cold and cough and sometimes wheeze, which then improves on its own over a few days or weeks. Do I have asthma? Yes, it can be asthma. But it can be treated easily, and one can live a normal life. I had a fever and cold. I took antibiotics. The fever subsided, but the cough and wheeze are still persisting. Could it be asthma? Asthma symptoms cannot be treated with antibiotics. Inhaled corticosteroids are the main treatment for asthma. If I have asthma, can I eat cold things? Can I eat citrus fruits and curd? With proper treatment of asthma with inhaled corticosteroids – you can eat all food items. Curd, milk, paneer, citrus fruits, and fruit juices are good for health and they do not cause asthma symptoms. Can my asthma be cured or do I have to use inhalers for life? Asthma is chronic disease like diabetes or hypertension. It persists, but with proper treatment with inhaler corticosteroids and PEFR monitoring, one can live a fully normal life. Does the inhaler have steroids? Will It harm me if I use it for long durations? Inhalers contain medicines in micrograms and these drugs stay in lung and do not reach blood in high doses. Thus, inhalers are very very safe for use over many years, even in children, pregnant women, and elderly population. Can you give me tablets? I do not want to get habituated to the inhaler. The use of inhalers is not habit-forming. Tablets contains medicines in milligrams or grams which is about a thousand times of a higher dose than the inhaler. Inhalers deliver medicines in very low doses and directly into the airways, making them safe and accurate treatment options for asthma. I do not have any asthma symptoms anymore. Why do I need to use my inhaler if I am doing well? In asthma, lung function decreases. The aim of treating asthma with inhalers is to bring back the lung function to normal, in order tokeep the person symptom-free. So please do not stop your inhaler just because symptoms have stopped. APFT is needed to check if lung function has also improved to normal. Your asthma physician will help you achieve normal lung function Can you tell me what am I allergic to? Can I avoid those food or exposure to that substance, and get cured? Withasthma, our airways become verysensitive to variety of trigger factors such asdust, smoke,strong smells from cooking in the kitchen,paint or perfume and cold air. Some patients may be allergic to a particular antigen like pollen or aspirin. A complete assessment by a physician can help. But all patients of asthma should avoid common triggers factors as mentioned above. Can I use the air-conditioner? Yes, you can set the AC temperature to 24 degree or above and can use it. Asthma is a treatable disease, and with proper monitoring of lung function with spirometry and with regular treatment with inhaled corticosteroids, one can live a fully productive life. (Dr. Prince James is with the Department of Interventional Pulmonology and Respiratory Medicine, Naruvi Hospitals, Vellore. prince.j@
Vox
31-03-2025
- Health
- Vox
Get ahead of allergy season this year
is a senior reporter at Vox covering mental health, relationships, wellness, money, home life, and work through the lens of meaningful self-improvement. That sneezy, itchy, watery-eyed time of year has yet again returned: it's allergy season. Seasonal allergies are the body's response to pollen from trees and grass; the immune system releases chemicals, like histamines, leukotrienes, and prostaglandins, which cause all those uncomfortable, familiar symptoms. The best way to combat the unpleasant barrage is to get ahead of them, says Russell Leftwich, a fellow at the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology and an adjunct assistant professor of biomedical informatics at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. Since allergy season arrives at roughly the same time every year, Leftwich recommends starting your allergy relief of choice for a few days before pollen levels get too high. (The Weather Channel, AccuWeather, and IQAir provide local pollen monitoring.) If the dizzying variety of drugs at the pharmacy has you confused, here are a few things to know about the most effective types of over-the-counter allergy medications as well as non-pharmaceutical ways to keep your allergies in check. Today, Explained Understand the world with a daily explainer plus the most compelling stories of the day, compiled by news editor Sean Collins. Email (required) Sign Up By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Before heading to the drugstore One of the best ways to alleviate allergy symptoms is to prevent pollen from getting into your body in the first place. This means keeping windows closed and wearing a mask while doing yard work, Leftwich says. If you've been outdoors for a while, change your clothes and wash your face when you get home, says Rita Kachru, the chief of allergy and immunology in the department of medicine at UCLA. Related 4 tips for dealing with a ferocious allergy season Another prevention method includes rinsing your nose with a saline solution: a mixture of baking soda, salt, and distilled or boiled water, Kachru says. The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology recommends mixing three tablespoons of iodide-free salt with one teaspoon of baking soda in a small container. Then add one teaspoon of the salt/baking soda mixture to eight ounces of lukewarm distilled or boiled water. You can also buy nasal saline sprays at the drugstore. When to take antihistamines When avoidance strategies aren't totally effective, you can treat your symptoms with over-the-counter allergy medications. One of the major categories of these treatments are antihistamines, which are available in pill, tablet, eye drop, or nasal spray forms. Antihistamines help reduce itchiness and sneezing and are your first line of defense, Kachru says. 'The reason I always start with an antihistamine is because you may just have a day of a high pollen count,' she says, 'and you just need a one-time antihistamine because you're sneezing and you're itchy and you're a little congested.' Kachru and Leftwich suggest opting for long-acting antihistamines — like loratadine (Claritin), cetirizine (Zyrtec), or fexofenadine (Allegra) — over short-acting ones. People can develop a resistance to short-acting antihistamines, like diphenhydramine (Benadryl), very quickly. Plus, Benadryl often makes people sleepy. Both short- and long-acting antihistamines provide relief within 15 to 30 minutes, Kachru says. Take them at the start of the day before you are exposed to pollen. For mild nose itchiness and sneezing, an antihistamine nasal spray, like azelastine (Astepro), might work for you. A common side effect is a metallic taste in the back of the throat, Kachru says. When to try nasal steroid sprays If you're reaching for an antihistamine three to four times a week, Kachru suggests adding a nasal steroid into the mix. Not only do nasal steroids reduce sneezing and itchiness, but they'll help with congestion, too. These include fluticasone (Flonase), budesonide (Benacort), triamcinolone (Nasacort), and mometasone (Nasonex). Nasal steroids do take a few days until you feel the full effects, Kachru says, so don't give up if you don't feel better right away. To properly administer nasal sprays, insert the tip in your nostril and point it toward your ear. A common mistake when using a nasal spray is pointing it straight up your nose. 'It goes up their nose, down their throat and does nothing for them,' Kachru says. 'Or they stick it inwards into their nose, and then they get nosebleeds. … So you want to always make sure that when you put it in, you point it out towards your ear, spray, sniff in, and then do the alternate nostril.' While not a nasal steroid, Kachru advises against using oxymetazoline (Afrin), a nasal spray decongestant. 'Patients who use Afrin regularly end up having really, really severe rebound nasal congestion,' she says. Leftwich advises against decongestants more broadly, as the over-the-counter decongestant medications are not very effective. After a few weeks of daily nasal spray use, you may consider stopping an antihistamine, if you're taking both. 'That's usually what I tell people to do,' Kachru says. 'Eventually just use that antihistamine as needed' because the nasal spray is more effective.
