Chronic sinus infection; Chronic sinusitis

Using decongestants when you have an upper respiratory infection may reduce your risk of developing sinusitis. However, decongestant nasal sprays should only be used for short periods of time, or they can make congestion worse. This is called rebound congestion or rhinitis medicamentosa.

Images

Sinuses

Sinusitis

Chronic sinusitis

Review Date: 08/08/2006
Reviewed By: D. Scott Smith, M.D., MSc, DTM&H, Chief of Infectious Disease & Geographic Medicine, Kaiser Redwood City, CA & Adjunct Assistant Professor, Stanford University. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)