Nifty Neti: Why & How I Rinse My Nose

[jesse_the_k]

Nasal rinsing (also called nasal or sinus irrigation) is a long-standing practice in Ayurvedic medicine. In this tradition, the "neti pot" is the tool to have.

According to a 2006 study in the Annals of Family Medicine:

a closely monitored 6-month randomized controlled trial […] found that daily hypertonic saline nasal rinse using 2% saline is associated with high patient satisfaction, improved quality of life, decreased antibiotic and nasal spray use, and improved sinus symptoms in adult participants with a history of frequent rhinosinusitis and chronic sinus complaints.

I’ve struggled with allergic rhinitis, reactive airways (coughing fits generated by particulates and fragrances), migraine and frequent sinus infections. I knew nasal rinsing was a good idea, but I physically can’t juggle a neti pot.

obstacles

• teapot in nose
• awkward body mechanics
• nasty saline taste
• waterfall afterwards

I’d been told the next best thing to neti was saline nasal sprays. Unlike sprayed medication that can create rebound nasal congestion, salty water on its own can relieve chapped nostrils and help break up congested sinuses. It also tastes foul. On a pharmacist’s advice, I tried Xlear nasal spray which adds xylitol to saline. It didn’t taste at all. Hmmm.

The miracle of plastic has come to my rescue: positive pressure nasal rinse bottles are available at your local pharmacy for less than US$10.

Don’t use tap water! It’s crucial to only use sterilized water, or I’d introduce more germs into the nasal cavities.

my tools

• clean water

  • no tap water!
  • distilled is fine, but you have to buy it
  • I boil in my kettle & let it cool

• upright squeeze bottle

  • soft cone top fits snugly against nostril
  • gentle squeeze pushes saline solution upwards

• bulk saline mix I assemble at home

  • my formula by weight
    90g salt : 20g sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) : 20g xylitol
    Fits into a 1c/240ml bottle that formerly held 200 capsules.
  • started with Xlear packets
    worked fine but expensive; required scissors to open
  • xylitol cancels out salt and baking soda flavors
  • research shows xylitol’s benefits
  • xylitol available in bulk on the baking aisle

my daily routine, step by step

• Prep the bottle immediately after my morning tea
  • 1 tsp/5 ml neti mix in plastic bottle
  • pour 8 oz/240 ml water from kettle into bottle to fill
  • must be body temp or cooler (therefore final step in kitchen)
• test water temp: squeeze drop on wrist. If it feels warm, wait 10 more
• pull paper towel from roll
• bend head over sink, chin tucked as much as possible
• press cone tip of bottle gently against nose to make seal
• four sets of squeezes, in pairs for each nostril, left and right.
  1. point cone towards front of nostril and squeeze. Water goes in one nostril and pours out the other (then reverse and repeat)
  2. point cone straight up, hold one nostril closed and squirt into other. Water goes up into sinus cavity and pours back out (then reverse and repeat)
  3. same as 2 but this time saying ahhh, so water comes out back of mouth (then reverse and repeat)
  4. repeat 1
     - Pictures illustrating 1–4
• set bottle aside, head still over sink
• tilt head 45° right, gently pressing left nostril, breathe out through right nostril
• repeat on left side
• sit down and lean over
• put paper towel under nose, repeat the tilt and breathe for each side
• blow nose gently three times

benefits

• no sinus infections since I started daily neti use
• no more bloody noses and cracked skin in winter
• reduced asthma inhaler use
• fewer headaches

I'm glad that I've found something that can actively improve my health. I'm ready to smell the flowers that are bravely point their heads out.

Have you tried using a neti pot?

Comments

[jesse_the_k]

This particular bottle & xylitol made a daily-neti-snorter out of me. It's very squishy, so not much force creates a non-painful stream of water.

My neti setup is at home, and (happily) I'm never exposed to fragrances there. So I don't have any post-exposure data for you.

My theory is that rinsing knocks back the level of allergens and other contaminants. I can handle a little bit of fragrance on a good day; I'm choosing to believe the neti makes for more "good days."

I'm delighted that 3M redesigned their 9210 N95 respirator so that it uses covered elastic instead of a bare rubber band. It's much more comfortable. But on super-sensitive days, MyGuy modified one to use 1mm elastic cord--pry open the staples, thread cord thru with knots on both ends, smash staple back. These fit even better with glasses & hat.

[sonia]

Thanks for the neti pot tips and the respirator link!