| In the U.S., sinus problems are the #1 reason people | | | | variety of materials, such as ceramic, stainless steel |
| see a doctor. With increasing pollution and chemicals in | | | | and plastic. |
| our environment, there is an enormous rise in the | | | | You can purchase saline solutions specially designed |
| number of people who suffer various forms of nasal | | | | for nasal irrigation. These are called "isotonic" if they |
| congestion and respiratory illnesses. If you suffer | | | | are formulated to mimic the same concentrations of |
| from sinus symptoms, then you know how the | | | | salt as in the body. Most over-the-counter saline |
| ongoing pain, swelling, congestion and postnasal drip | | | | solutions are isotonic. If your nose is stuffy, you |
| can keep you from fully enjoying life. | | | | might want to try a "hypertonic" saline solution, which |
| Alternative health practitioners throughout the world | | | | has a higher salt concentration than that of bodily |
| recommend the regular practice of nasal cleansing | | | | tissue. |
| using a saline solution as part of a regular regimen of | | | | Some researchers suggest that using a hypertonic |
| health and wellness, a basic health-maintenance | | | | solution may pull more liquid out of the swollen tissue |
| activity equal to flossing your teeth. Neti is a gentle, | | | | of the nose, thus improving breathing. While many |
| safe, efficient way to deliver a good cleansing dose | | | | sinus sufferers have tried hypertonic solutions, most |
| of saline to the nose. This method of cleansing or | | | | prefer using isotonic. Whichever solution you use, |
| clearing debris and bacteria from the nose, nasal | | | | keeping the nose moist is beneficial for almost every |
| passages, and sinuses can trace its roots back to | | | | nasal or sinus problem. |
| ancient India. | | | | Bear in mind, always, that your sinus condition may |
| As a self-care strategy, it is relatively new in the | | | | change from season to season. You may have to |
| United States, but is gaining in popularity. It is both a | | | | keep trying different variations of the saline solution |
| prevention and treatment measure. | | | | each season until you get the perfect mixture that |
| Basically, nasal irrigation is just that: cleaning your | | | | allows your sinuses to stay clear without infection. |
| sinuses out with mild saltwater, or saline, solution. | | | | The Neti pot has a small spout that fits into the |
| Although it may sound complicated, this easy-to-use | | | | nostril. Simply rotate and tip you head over the sink |
| and all-natural sinus cleansing method has many | | | | and pour the solution into your nostril. The fluid rinses |
| healing benefits. Nasal irrigation depends on saline | | | | through your nasal cavity. After it drains through the |
| solution to restore moisture to your sinuses and to | | | | other nostril, you spit out the fluid and repeat the |
| lessen the inflammation of nasal membranes. A host | | | | process on the other side. |
| of scientific studies show that if the saline irrigation is | | | | Your doctor may recommend using nasal irrigation |
| used regularly, it can help to thin mucus, decrease | | | | once daily for prevention and two to four times a |
| post nasal drip, and cleanse your passages of | | | | day at the first sign of a cold or sinus infection. |
| bacteria. | | | | Beyond these benefits, nasal irrigation just feels good. |
| A nasal irrigation device called a Neti Pot is easy to | | | | If you have ever had a stuffy, congested nose for |
| use and available in natural food markets and natural | | | | days on end, you know how wonderful it feels when |
| home-care catalogs and websites. It looks like | | | | you get relief and can breathe freely again. Nasal |
| Aladdin's lamp or a small flat teapot. It is available in a | | | | irrigation will let you do exactly that. |