If you are like me you can really tell spring is in the air, not only by the warmer temperatures, but also by the increased amount of pollen in the air, most recently here in New England there has been very high tree pollen counts- which I am definitely allergic to. I have found great success from using a daily nasal saline rinse.
If you have ever experienced the nasal cleansing effect of getting ocean water up your nose- then you might have an idea of how it feels.
While at first it may seem unpleasant, but it usually results in major relief from clogged sinuses. Maybe it was an experience like this that inspired someone in India, centuries ago, to try voluntary nasal irrigation to relieve the annoying symptoms of allergies.
Some of the worst symptoms of nasal allergies are: sinus headaches, excess mucus production, a stuffy nose and a constant runny nose. Some people with allergies develop a condition called chronic rhino-sinusitis, a continually inflamed condition characterized by irritated or even infected sinus cavities.
Ancient Practice
The practitioners of Ayurveda, (a traditional Indian medicine system), pioneered the use of warm saltwater to flush nasal cavities and remove excess mucus, pollen, and other debris.
Nasal irrigation uses two simple ingredients: salt water and a specially designed vessel, called a Neti Pot, which delivers a stream of salt water into your nasal cavities through one nostril and out the other.
Supporters of the technique claim it offers significant relief from nasal congestion and irritation. They also claim it can reduce headaches associated with sinus congestion and allows people to reduce their reliance on antibiotics to combat sinus infections. It can decrease the use of nasal corticosteroid sprays for the control of allergy-related nasal inflammation. This is a natural way to take control of your allergies.
Numerous clinical trials have been conducted, and most agree that nasal irrigation is safe and well tolerated. At worst, they note that the procedure can be cumbersome, requiring more effort than other options, such as taking medications.
A few warnings:
- Irrigation shouldn’t be used on infants.
- Don’t over irrigate. Too much irrigation like multiple times a day for weeks on end, may remove some protective elements of the mucus membranes lining the nasal passages and sinuses.
- Only Use Sterile Water
It’s crucial to use sterile water to prepare the irrigation solution. Boiling before use should be sufficient. A parasitic amoeba, Naegleria fowleri, has been linked to several deaths among neti pot users who failed to use sterile water. Once introduced into the sinuses, the parasite makes its way to the brain, causing an infection that is fatal.
How It’s Done
A neti pot is a simple device that looks like a small teapot. Warm, sterile water is mixed with pure salt in the pot. While tilting your head slightly to one side, place the spout in your nostril on top and let the saline solution drain through your bottom nostril.
As noted above, it’s crucial to use sterile water. Create a saline solution by adding the correct amount of pure, non-iodized sodium chloride to the water, to create one of two solutions:
isotonic, which is 0.9% salt and 9 g sodium chloride dissolved in one liter of water
hypertonic, which is a 0.7% to 0.3% salt solution
Kosher salt is a suitable source of pure sodium chloride with no added minerals. Nasal irrigation should not be attempted with tap water or distilled water. Sterility is essential for safety, and salt prevents the uncomfortable burning sensation associated with the use of non-isotonic solutions.
Isotonic solutions contain enough dissolved solids to match the concentration of solutes dissolved in the blood. Not surprisingly, seawater is essentially an isotonic solution of salt and water. However, seawater should never be used deliberately, due to risk of introducing unwanted contaminants.
Outlook
Neti pots are a great, natural way to relieve nasal congestion and allergies, as long as you use sterile water and don’t use it too frequently. They have been a part of Ayurvedic medicine for hundreds of years. Be sure to ask your PCP if you have any concerns about using a neti pot or before doing any self saline irrigation.
If you have any questions about this Blog, or any other health related concern, please feel free to contact me at: [email protected]