the difference between rhinitis and sinus infection

[hey0016]

from what i've read there is a difference between rhinitis and sinus infections. i am only 24 years old and i was addicted to nasal spray for about six years. i've been nasal spray free for about 1 month (i used the rhinostat method if anyone is curious).
rebound congestion i no longer experience. i still have congestion that seems to switch back and forth between nostrils (but no where near as bad as what the rebound congestion was).
when i lie down the congestion will be in which ever nostril i am laying on. the other one will be clear. if i turn on my other side the congestion will switch nostrils. one nostril often clogs up during the day and i can breathe but sometimes the congestion is worse than others. i read somewhere that this is what happens when the turbinates no longer constrict on their own because of the prolonged nasal spray use and that the only option is sinus turbinate reduction surgery. i don't think i have really bad allergies and i dont think i get sinus infections, but i do have sinus congestion. i always have clear nasal discharge, it's never yellow or green like with sinus infections. i do feel sinus pressure sometimes though in my forehead and my ears pop like in an airplane. in fact most of the time my nose is very dry and i have to use saline mist, yet i still feel my nasal passages are partly obstructed. does anyone have any input on this or know what i should consider? does anyone know anything about sinus surgery?

[B_Johnson]

You might possibly have a nasal septal deviation that predisposes you to these infections.  Turbinate reduction has been around for a while and has improved in morbidity.  Usually it is done with local anesthesia and an endoscope.

[Cyberknight]

I to have had the same problem you have of being stuffed all the time and then if I lay to one side the side up clears and switched if I lay on the other. I had sinus surgery 7 months ago and it is alot better, although if i get a clogged nose now i can still clear one side or the other using that method. I was never addicted to nasal spray.. for 1 month before the surgery i did use it alot and used a technic to get past the rebound but that was only for 3 weeks to a month. I was told i have a devaited septum aswell but that it wasnt to bad so he didnt straighten it with the surgery.
I have had some trouble since the surgery though, about 1 month after the sugery I developed a dry throat alot feeling of needing to be cleared. either dry or mucued I am not sure seems to have mucus after i eat and dry most the time. I have been tryin and trying to figure out why. If you have any questions of me or if we can help each other in any way let me know.
Cyberknight