Nasal irrigation

Benefits of nasal irrigation

Regular use of nasal irrigation gives you a clearer nasal airway by:
- Washing away crusts, thick mucus and other debris from your nose, and sinus openings.
- Shrinking the swollen nasal lining that is contributing to your nasal congestion.
- Improving the normal functioning of the nasal lining.

The Recipe

Thoroughly cleanse a one pint container and fill with plain water. Add one and half heaped teaspoons of salt. Add a half teaspoon of baking soda (bicarbonate of soda). Stir or shake before each use and store at room temperature. Discard after 1 week. If the solution seems too strong and it is causing a burning sensation, dilute this solution with an equal amount of bottled water.

The Instructions

• Plan to irrigate your nose with buffered hypertonic saline 2-3 times per day.
• You may use a large medical 20cc syringe, or simply sniff the solution from a clean container, or as a last resort from the cup of your hand.
• Pour some of the solution into a clean container and then transfer to a large medical 20cc syringe, or pour it into a cupped hand.
• Stand over a sink, and tilt the head slightly forward and to the side you are applying the solution. Gently Squirt (or sniff) the solution into each nostril. Aim the stream toward the back of your head, NOT the top of your head.This allows you to spit some of the saltwater out of your mouth. It will not harm you if you swallow a little. Gently blow the nose, keeping both nostrils open.

If you use a nasal steroid/ or other spray prescribed for you the then should always use buffered hypertonic saline solution first, AND THEN use your nasal spray. The nasal steroid is much more effective when sprayed onto clean nasal linings and the steroid medicine will reach deeper into the nose.

Side effects

Most people experience mild burning sensation the first few times they use buffered
hypertonic saline solution, but this usually goes away in a few days.

Alternatives

If you do not wish to make up the solution yourself, or find the application difficult then you may wish to obtain commercial preparations of buffered saline for nasal irrigation. These are readily available in most chemists as over the counter medication. Simply ask your chemist or your doctor to prescribe and provide it for you.