You are facing with sinus infection then nasal irrigation is a good idea. If your sinuses are prone to plugging, then you should run water through your nasal cavity so that the mucus will flow out continuously. Saline water irrigation at home regularly is a good idea, and it is a very effective method in treating your sinus infection and helps you to prevent recurring sinus infection.
It is recommended to use boiled water or lukewarm water for nasal saline irrigation process. It is essential to use this process very carefully and very safely.
Sinusitis
Sinusitis is an infection caused when too much mucus makes up in cavities behind the face. This mucus caused your cavities to swell or even inflamed, and it can also cause serious microbial infections. People who are facing with any allergy or asthma then this sinus infection can occur continuously. Then it can be led to the pressure around your nose, headache, coughing, suffocation, or any other symptom.
Sinusitis or sinus infection can be treated with medicines like allergy tablets, or any mucus thinning drugs recommended by doctors. If people are facing with a recurrent sinus infection, then surgery is recommended to fix the structure of the nose so that drainage of their sinuses can occur properly.
If you are using any medicines or not, there is another method that will give you relief in an infection known as saline water irrigation.
Sinus irrigation and Nasal wash
Nasal irrigation is a process which is the part of personal hygiene, and it includes a saltwater solution. Saltwater solution forces out all the microbes and other harmful bacteria in the passage of sinus behind the face. It is known by different terms like
- Nasal wash
- Nasal douche
- Nasal lavage
People use this irrigation process by one of the famous device known as “’neti pot”.
Studies related to nasal irrigation and sinus health
Unfortunately, there is no evidence present that this method will be more beneficial for sinus infection. No one gets to benefit from this process.
Researchers did the researches, for example, found just one randomized controlled saline-solution trial with 76 adults meeting their strict criteria. While this study had one weakness, it did find that after six months, the irrigation group had better results than a control group.
According to one study done by British researchers, it is showed that this method is beneficial. Many patients under many physicians’ practices did this irrigation process or did a steam inhalation treatment or the mixture of both or neither. Patients did this procedure daily at their home for six months. Then the researchers noticed the improvement in their sinus infection when they use nasal irrigation than other methods.
How Nasal Irrigation Works?
Researchers were not sure about the right way of the nasal irrigation. Some researched whether it is about the solution composition that makes it different from others. Then they said that there might be a role of mechanical action of liquid pouring into the sinuses. The liquid in the sinuses helps to soften and dislodge the mucus lining. It is also useful in flushing out the harmful bacteria.
Irrigate the Sinuses Safely
No doubt saline water irrigation is an effective method, but it also has some side effects. Some people can face irritation or pain in their nose or also can feel pain in the ears which can be long-lasting.
The common problem occurs due to the wrong use of devices. FDA warned people to use improper devices because it can increase the risk of infection. Because any local device can have bacteria that can enter into your sinuses and cause more problems.
Nasal Irrigation Devices Cleaning
You should keep your nasal irrigation devices clean because it can also create a problem, but it is very rare. CDC warns the people you should take care of that because people use tap water for nasal irrigation. If you use tap water, then it can be infected with parasite Naegleria fowleri.
Safety Guidelines
If you do not want any problems or irritation, then you should follow the rules and tips advised by the FDA.
Ø You should buy special water bottles which contained distilled or sterile water.
Ø You can use sterile the water by yourself also. Boil the tap water for 3-5 minutes and then cool it and became it lukewarm water. Now you can store this sterilized water in a clean and sterile container for one day use only.
Ø Water coming from direct tap water is not safe to use as it can contain many harmful bacteria that can cause contamination and infection.
Ø Clean the device properly that you are going to use to store the water.
Ø FDA advised you to clean the machine according to the manufacturer’s instructions and then dry it properly with a clean paper towel, or you can dry It by air drying.
Ø When you are expert in the sanitation, you can focus on your hygiene practice and use the saline irrigation process regularly.
6 Practical Nasal Irrigation Tips for Comfort and Effectiveness
1. Add some salt to your nasal rinse
Your nasal passages have salt naturally so if you add salt in your water, then you can feel better. There is a recipe suggested by the American Academy of Allergy, asthma, and immunology.
· Take three tablespoons of salt (non-iodized), one teaspoon of baking soda, and one cup of sterilized water. Mix them properly, and then you can use this.
2. Get the Right Tools to Get Saline into Your Nose
There are many methods to get the water into sinus passage behind the nose. For this purpose, you can use a squirt bottle, or a pump, or a vessel which have long spout known as a neti pot.
3. Nasal-Rinsing Technique
Fill the device with a saline water solution and go to the sink and lean over the sink. Tilt your head and chin roughly. Do not breathe from nose you can breathe from the mouth. Place the device into your right nostril and leave it to drain out the water naturally.
4. Repeat process if necessary
You have to repeat this procedure till you feel you nasal cavities clearer and then turn your head straight and do the same step for the other side.
5. Deep Sinus Passageways
Turn your head upside down. Because the sinus openings of sinus passageway are at the top of the cavities, so it is essential to reach the water properly in these cavities.
6. Talk to your doctor
If you are facing any problem, any irritation, any pain or have any question related to nasal irrigation, then you should ask your doctor.