27 Sep Nasal spray addiction: What are the consequences?
Almost everyone has a vice, big or small: some people love to eat but don't exercise enough, others smoke and others regularly drink too much alcohol. There are also people who are addicted to medication. Tens of thousands of Germans reach for a nasal spray several times a day because they are addicted.
Few people talk about it openly. However, a nasal spray is also a medication whose misuse can cause serious damage to the body, especially to the mucous membranes. We explain what this damage looks like in this blog post.
What causes nasal spray addiction?
If you have a cold or a cold, the body reacts by producing more secretions in the nose. It runs, the mucous membranes swell and breathing becomes more difficult. This is an unpleasant situation that primarily affects sleep.
Many people use a decongestant nasal spray to relieve symptoms and improve breathing. The active ingredients contained, such as oxymetazoline or xylometazoline, cause the blood vessels in the nasal mucous membranes to contract, causing the tissue to swell and allowing the patient to breathe better.
As a rule, the medication should be used a maximum of 3 times a day and for no longer than one week.
If the spray is used for a short time, no negative consequences are to be expected. However, if it is used beyond the time limit, the nasal mucosa quickly becomes accustomed to the product and the so-called rebound effect occurs. The vicious circle of addiction begins: Due to the habituation effect, the nasal mucosa swells again and again and demands the active ingredient of the spray. The effect then wears off again after use and the tissue becomes thicker again. The pressing feeling in the nose and the problem of air restriction tempt you to reach for the spray again. And everything starts all over again.
Consequences of nasal spray abuse
Nasal spray addiction is a serious problem that can significantly reduce quality of life because: If the nasal spray is used over a long period of time, it can permanently damage the inside of the nose. Nasal spray addiction can have unpleasant consequences and effects:
Physical effects
The chronically irritated mucous membrane secretes less secretion. It dries out and can no longer fully fulfil its defence function. Invading pathogens have an easy time of it due to the reduced immune defence.
The dry mucous membrane often becomes so sensitive that it starts to bleed easily and frequently.
In severe cases, the nasal mucosa can break down (atrophy). This means that the mucous membrane, including its vessels and glands, regresses, which means that the air we breathe can no longer be sufficiently humidified.
As a result, the nasal cavity can expand. Due to the persistent dryness, bark and crusts form in the nose, which provide an ideal breeding ground for bacteria (e.g. Klebsiella ozaenae). If the nasal mucosa is attacked by this bacterial strain, a sweet, foul odour (stinky nose/ozoa) develops. In most cases, the olfactory nerve fibres are also damaged. The odour is not perceived by the patient, but is noticed by relatives, for example. Medical support is urgently needed here.
Psychological effects
A nasal spray addiction usually also makes itself felt psychologically. Addicted patients are always anxious to have a nasal spray within easy reach. If it's not there, they become irritable and fear suffocation. Strong mood swings are also frequently observed.
Damage caused by nasal spray addiction
To determine a possible curvature of the nasal septum, we look at the nose from the outside by looking into the nostrils and lifting the tip of the nose, as well as from the inside using a nasal endoscopy. We can also use a nasal flow measurement to recognise whether there are differences in the airflow when breathing in and out. In some cases, an X-ray examination may also be necessary.
If you only have mild symptoms, we generally recommend treating mucous membrane problems such as a dry nose with salt water rinses, sea salt nasal sprays or ointments. We also recommend increasing the humidity in the room (e.g. using boiling evaporators).
If these measures do not help or if the symptoms have persisted for a long time, an operation is advisable in which we straighten the nasal septum under anaesthetic. This is known as septoplasty.
Your ENT doctor Frankfurt
If you have been taking nasal spray regularly for a long time and simply can't stop using it, you should make an appointment at our practice.
On the one hand, it is important to rule out possible more serious damage or, if necessary, to treat it. On the other hand, it is not easy to get out of the vicious circle of nasal spray addiction on your own.
We help them to overcome their addiction.
ENT Frankfurt: Dr Thomas Fischer & Dr Albrecht Linke
Your specialists for ear, nose and throat medicine, who will provide you with professional and individualised advice, examinations and treatment in all matters relating to ENT medicine, functional plastic surgery and the aesthetic treatment of changes to the facial skin.
Our news articles are prepared for you to the best of our knowledge and belief and are intended for general education. They are in no way a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis and treatment and are not intended to encourage self-diagnosis or self-treatment. Please always contact your ENT specialist in Frankfurt directly if you have any health complaints!
© "close up of sick woman using nasal spray" by dolgachov, www.elements.envato.com