Nasal lavage, sinus rinses, and sinusitis
Some 30 million people in the US suffer from chronic sinusitis; a handful more are blessed with an acute episode around this time of year. If you’ve had a nose full of snot at some point in your life, then you know what I’m talking about. I’ve been having a bad cold that’s been kicking my butt over the last few weeks, and I’ve been rinsing my nostrils with two interesting devices that have been helpful in relieving my symptoms.
Left: sinus rinse bottle; Right: Neti Pot;
These two rinses are made by the same company, and you can find them at the pharmacy department at most department stores. Each one holds about 8oz of water. The company that manufacturers the bottles also sells “sinus rinse” packets that you mix into the water. These packets contain a mix of salt and baking soda in some “secret proportion”. I’ve found that 1/2 tsp of sea salt (or any non-iodinized salt) plus a pinch of baking soda works just nicely in 8oz warm water.
nasal rinse; external pressure causes the solution to rise up the tube and through the spout
The sinus rinse bottle is a positive pressure system that forces the rinse through your nostrils as you squeeze the bottle. The Neti pot (shaped like a watering pot) flows into your nostrils passively with gravity as you tilt the spout into your nose. Both are meant to flush the mucus buildup that forms when you’re sick.
I think both of the devices work well in relieving congestion. The rinse bottle delivers extra pressure through your nose, which is helpful in moving along the more persistent of the mucus. It also may also cause more discomfort–it takes some time to get used to having water flowing through your nose. The end result is a happier, less congested nose. Nasal rinsing is a relatively harmless means to clean out your stuffy nose, and you can use it several times a day.
* Note. The above statements reflect my personal opinion about the topic. While I am a physician, you should discuss with your situation with your doctor before attempting any new medical regimen.