Nasal irrigation and sinus rinses are something a lot of people don’t really know even exist – let alone could greatly help prevent them from getting sinus infections and without surgery.
Basically, all it does is help rinse out your sinus cavaties from mucous that gets trapped and causes all of your congestion and becomes a happy breeding ground for bacteria and other germs. Once the mucous is cleared it is much easier for you to breathe and it becomes much less likely for you to get an infection.
There are a number of sinus rinse kits available at your local drug store or of course you can also choose from a wider selection and order one online
Most people who are new to these types of things immediately have two questions: Are sinus rinses safe? Is nasal irrigation dangerous?
When done properly, there is not any unusual or major risk for danger. If done improperly, you may get some of the water stuck in your ear, and then you need to get that water out of your ear – leaving the water in your ear would obviously cause bigger problems.
You have to put whether or not it is dangerous into perspective. Riding in a car, a box made of metal and glass, at 65 miles per hour around other boxes of metal and glass going at the same speed is probably a lot more dangerous than using a sinus rinse or a neti pot. Yet we do it every single day. Millions of people die in car accidents each year – I have yet to hear of a death caused by a sinus rinse.
There are also a number of dangers associated with taking over the counter medications and even prescription drugs – and yet, most people don’t even think twice before popping a few pills in the hopes that they’ll solve the problem. So if you’re afraid of putting a little water in your nose and the risk you think outweighs the benefits, then by all means don’t do it. But, if you’re like millions of people who get in a car everyday or take medications, then you really need to think about this in perspective!
Now, there are a lot of things you need to know about sinus rinses and nasal irrigation systems before you get started, because there are a lot of things to consider.
The first thing to think about is the way you plan on rinsing out your nose. There are a number of kits, pots, gadgets, and more to help you put water through your nose. (Aren’t we so lucky?) Here’s a little overview of the different types and kinds:
The Traditional Neti Pot: The first type of system to use is the Neti Pot, which is basically just a pretty little pot, it kind of looks like a cross between a watering can and a gravy boat. Some people love this ancient method because it is simple – you fill the pot with your rinse, lean over a sink, and pour it through your nose. Others find it’s hard to control their breathing to ensure that the water goes up the right way. See all neti pots and read reviews
Sinus Rinse Kits: These kits typically consist of a saline based solution in something that looks very similar to a nasal spray canister. Some believe this is slightly easier to use than a Neti pot, because basically you use it straight out of the bottle. Most kits range in price between $12-$27 in this range for a single use. See More Sinus Rinse Kits & Read Reviews
The Nasal Irrigation System: Technology has made it possible to use systems which regulate how much and how fast water goes through your nose. Many people find that this is a lot easier and more foolproof – basically you just place the wand up to your nose, press a button, wait about 15 seconds and you’re done. (Of course it’s a little more involved than that, but that’s the basics) This is the most expensive of options, ranging from $27 to $110. However, if you are someone with chronic allergies or sinus congestion and find that this is a comfortable solution for you, then this may be one of the better choices for you to use. See All Nasal Irrigation Systems & Read Reviews
The next important factor is what type of rinse will you use? Some swear by just plain water, others mix water with saline, others use premixed solutions such as the Himalayan Institute Neti Wash Plus. It’s all a matter of personal preference. Everybody likes different things, so it’s really hard to say this one or that one is the best. For most, it’s a matter of experimentation to decide which one they like and find the most effective.
Here’s my advice: If you haven’t tried using a nasal rinse or sinus irrigation system before, you might as well try it and decide for yourself if you should do it on a regular basis or not. You just might be surprised and find out that it works! And if it keeps you out of the doctor’s office, getting yet another prescription, and spending money on expensive over the counter drugs, you may find it’s well worth it, no matter how strange it may seem.
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