Rhinitis medicamentosa
Rhinitis medicamentosa
Rhinitis medicamentosa (pronounced: rye-ni-tis med-i-ca-men-toe-sa), also known as rebound nasal congestion, is a condition characterized by chronic nasal congestion without an apparent cause, often as a side effect of prolonged use of topical decongestant nasal sprays.
Etymology
The term "rhinitis" is derived from the Greek word "rhin-", meaning "nose", and "-itis", a common suffix in medicine used to denote inflammation. "Medicamentosa" is a Latin term meaning "caused by medication". Thus, the term "rhinitis medicamentosa" can be translated as "inflammation of the nose caused by medication".
Symptoms
The primary symptom of rhinitis medicamentosa is persistent nasal congestion, often accompanied by a runny nose and difficulty breathing through the nose. These symptoms may be accompanied by sneezing, dryness, and irritation in the nasal passages.
Causes
Rhinitis medicamentosa is typically caused by the overuse of topical nasal decongestants, such as oxymetazoline and phenylephrine. These medications work by constricting the blood vessels in the nasal passages, reducing swelling and relieving congestion. However, prolonged use can lead to a rebound effect, in which the nasal passages become even more swollen and congested once the medication wears off.
Treatment
Treatment for rhinitis medicamentosa typically involves discontinuing the use of the offending nasal spray. In some cases, a course of corticosteroid nasal sprays may be prescribed to reduce inflammation and help the nasal passages return to their normal state.
Related Terms
- Rhinitis: Inflammation of the mucous membrane of the nose.
- Nasal decongestant: A type of medication used to relieve nasal congestion.
- Rebound effect: A worsening of symptoms after discontinuation of a medication.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Rhinitis medicamentosa
- Wikipedia's article - Rhinitis medicamentosa
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