What is rhinitis medicamentosa more commonly known as?

Rhinitis medicamentosa is more commonly known as the rebound effect because it refers to a situation where overuse of nasal decongestant sprays leads to worsening nasal congestion once the medication is discontinued. This condition occurs after prolonged use of these topical decongestants, which initially relieve nasal congestion but eventually cause the nasal tissues to become less responsive to the medications. As a result, patients find themselves needing to use the decongestant more frequently, leading to a cycle of dependency and worsening congestion when they try to stop using the medication. Understanding this phenomenon is important for healthcare providers and patients to recognize the risks associated with prolonged use of over-the-counter nasal decongestants.