Nasal irrigation is essentially rinsing your nasal passages and sinuses clear of mucus. The human body can make a lot of mucus in one day - I think I read it can be up to a liter! This mucus can do a number of things that can cause sinusitis and other respiratory problems. Here are a few:
1. Impact sinus to cause headaches and inflammation.
2. Hold pollen and other allergy particles in the very place where they will be most able to irritate.
3. Result in post-nasal drip down your throat to cause a persistent and chronic cough.
People who have constant sinus issues often suffer with them throughout their lives, and the effects multiply as the years pass. The treatment for these issues is sort of white or black - with surgery at the extreme end, and not much else on the spectrum. Nasal irrigation is a simple hygiene technique that can keep these problems at bay. It is highly recommended by credible sources, such as the Mayo Clinic. They even have a video on their website that shows a parent how to teach a child as young as 2 this technique - that's how valuable they consider it.
Nasal irrigation is done by pouring a saline solution into one nostril and allowing it to course through the sinus cavities and out the other nostril. The saline solution should be tepid/room temp. and can be administered by gravity (neti pot) or a under pressure (a squeeze bottle). It's really, really simple to do, and if you suffer from allergies or sinusitis I highly recommend it - you'll feel 500% better once you start doing it. Apparently this is a very common hygiene technique practiced across India, and has saved all kinds of medical expenses for a population that largely cannot afford medical treatments.
The equipment needed:
Neti pot or nasal squeeze bottle (usually has an angled tip)
Filtered or distilled water
Salt (non-iodized)
Baking soda (optional)
Saline Solution:
1 Quart drinking water (if it's not good for drinking, don't use it)
1 - 2 teaspoons non-iodized salt
1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda (optional)
I make a quart of saline solution at a time, and pour it off into an 8 oz. squeeze bottle twice a day. Sometimes I do 16 oz. during each session, if my allergies are particularly bothersome.
The salt of course makes the water a saline solution. The salt ions will grab onto the mucus and flush it out of your nasal passages. The baking soda is only necessary if the salt solution alone is a little too harsh on your nasal passages (it moderates the pH slightly). If you have this problem, either keep your salt level on the low side (1 t. per quart of water) or add a small amount of the baking soda (or both). I only use salt in my saline solution.
You can also buy prepackaged salt/soda, which is pretty convenient, but really an unnecessary expense. If you buy the packages, read them to make sure you add the correct amount. I believe most are made for an 8 or 16 oz. water portion.
If you make the solution as you use it, start with tepid or warm water if able. If you prepare a larger amount ahead of time, let the squeeze bottle rest in a warm water bath for a few minutes to take off any chill - otherwise it may be irritating to your nasal passages.
Technique:
Note: I'll include three very short videos below so you can see how simple this process really is.
1. Prepare your tepid/warm saline solution and/or pour off your prepared solution into the neti pot or squeeze bottle.
2. Tilt your head to the right, over the sink, and insert the spout in your left nostril, making sure your nostril is sealed around the spout. Pour or squeeze half of the solution out.
3. Breathe through your mouth, or simply say 'ahh' to close off your throat to the water.
4. Water should immediately come out of your right nostril. Use half your solution, then lightly blow your nose (don't block off one side) to drain out the solution.
5. Tilt your head to the left, insert the spout in your right nostril, and repeat (water will flow out of your left nostril).
6. Blow your nose - gently! I often repeat this cycle using 2 oz. of water each time (from my 8 oz. squeeze bottle) to clear everything out.
7. Do it in the morning and the evening - like brushing your teeth. In the evening, try to do it at least an hour before you go to bed, so any lingering solution doesn't become part of post-nasal drip down your throat.
8. Always rinse your neti pot or bottle and tip with hot water after each use.
Now here are three great videos to show the technique:
Here's the basic, gravity-flow neti pot (you can purchase these in a well-stocked drug store, like Walgreens):
The squeeze bottle in the bottom video is the one I use, and I also keep a backup supply of prepackaged saline salts for when I don't prepare my own saline solution. I have both an 8 oz and 4 oz. bottle, but always use the 8 oz. one. Because the tip is angled, you really don't have to tilt your head:
Try this simple procedure - you'll be hooked the first time out!
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