1.Why do I need nasal rinsing?
Nasal rinsing with salt water washes away nasal dirt and mucus, and helps wash away allergy triggers such as pollen, mold spores and dust.
Rinsing your nose with salt water is also called a “nasal rinse.”
Your doctor may recommend a nasal rinse if you have: a runny nose, stuffy nose, post-nasal drip, mucus running down your nose and into your throat when you have a cold or allergies.
Sinusitis – this condition can cause a thick runny nose, nasal congestion, and facial pain.
2.How is the nasal rinse solution prepared?
Follow these steps to prepare the saline solution: Find a clean glass bottle with a lid and use distilled or cooled boiling water. This is important because a small number of people have used unclean tap water resulting in serious infections, although these infections are rare.
You can buy premixed packets of the prepared solution at the pharmacy or you can prepare it yourself at home: you will need 1 teaspoon of baking soda and 1-1.5 teaspoons of salt, preferably using pickle salt or canned salt, which is very pure and easily dissolved. Do not use regular table salt, as it contains chemicals other than salt.
Pre-mixed can be stored at room temperature for up to 1 week, beyond that it is recommended to discard.
3. How do I perform a nasal rinse?
There are several devices that can help you squirt salt water into the nasal passages. These devices include: Squeeze bottle nasal rinse jug – a small jug with a long spout, similar to a teapot.
Nasal rinse – a 60 ml (2 oz) syringe is used, not the bubble syringe used for babies.
Pulsating rinse device – These are battery-powered devices that send a gentle stream of pulsating water into the nasal passages; make sure there are instructions for use when you buy them.
If you use a syringe, fill the rinse into a clean bowl or directly into a squeeze bottle or nasal wash jug. Do not put used syringes back into the storage container. If you feel it is necessary you can slightly heat the rinse solution in the microwave to feel more comfortable during the wash, but be sure to avoid heating up too much.
Bend down toward the sink, slightly lower your head and turn to one side, and spray the solution into the nasal cavity on the side that is higher up. You can also do this in the shower by directing the water toward the back of your head rather than toward the top. Keep your mouth open and the liquid will flow from one nostril to the other. It is not a big deal if you swallow a small amount of fluid. You may feel a slight burning sensation during the first few flushes, which will disappear once you get used to it.
As the solution flows out of your nasal cavity, gently blow on your nose and bend over for a few minutes before some saline may also flow out of your nose. If you feel that the saline remains in your nasal cavity, you can bend forward and look up to the side as if you were “looking down the sink”. Then stand up straight and look at the other side in the same way. When you get up, the stagnant salt water will flow out.
Clean the device after each use with boiling water or according to the manufacturer’s instructions, then air dry or dry with a clean towel.
4. How often should I perform nasal rinsing?
Some people need to rinse their nasal passages every day, others only when symptoms occur. You can also rinse several times a day (as long as it is safe to do so).
Your doctor may recommend daily nasal rinses for those who have had a sinus infection episode for more than 3 months. If you have used nasal sprays to treat your symptoms, use them after the nasal rinse.