Nasal Spray and Rebound Congestion

You know the problem, if you’ve used a nasal spray to loosen up the “big, ready-to-burst, stuffy head” that it can help, often very quickly. But, just as it can help quickly, it can cause greater problems if you use it too often or too long.

Early on, people think they have discovered the cure for their sinus problems.  Little do they know as they continue to use the nasal spray beyond three or four  days, the risk of dependency soars.

What is happening is that the person becomes as stuffy or more stuffy than before because the blood vessels swell up and nasal passages get as congested or more congested than they were before the nasal spray. Some people may mistake this rebound effect for addiction, but it isn’t.

According to the Mayo Clinic, “True addiction is a compulsive physiological need for and use of a habit-forming substance known to be physically, psychologically or socially harmful.” However, to the stuffed-up person, rebound congestion feels like it. Dr. James T. Li points out that there are other methods and products available that can help, including saline nasal sprays. In extreme cases, some doctors will prescribe an oral steroid, like Prednisone, or other prescription medications, to help ease the dependant’s symptoms when the person stops the nasal spray “cold turkey.” These can be used for months or even years.

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