Nasal irrigation

brussell

Does anyone do this? Apparently a lot of people in the know consider this a kind of miracle treatment for colds and sinus congestion. I know several doctors who do this every day and they claim they don't get colds anymore. And all the respiratory therapists do this and recommend it to their patients.



It's supposed to clear out the gunk deep in your brain (OK, your nasal cavities) that you would normally never be able to get at and prevent sinus infections as well as clear up congestion in the short-term. It's supposed to be about as effective as a nasal spray or other decongestant for relieving symptoms.



The procedure itself is kinda weird, which may be why it's not very popular: You pour water into one nostril with your head tilted down and to the side so that it squirrels around between your eyes and then comes out your other nostril. You feel a little like you're drowning.



You create a saline solution with 1/4 tspn salt per cup of warm water, and use a syringe or "baster" (aspirator) to squeeze the saline into your top nostril when your head is tilted way down to the side, at least parallel to the ground. After a few seconds, the water should start coming out of the bottom nostril. It's a very weird sensation, but it seems to be addictive to some people, and apparently it works!



I first used it a few months ago, and it seemed to reduce cold symptoms and maybe the length of the cold, and I've got another one now so I started using it again. Anyone else try or want to try?

powerdoc

What you discribe is very usefull for the babies. It should work with adult too, but it will not cure all infections. Acute sinusitis with high fewer, need corticoids and antibiotics.

thegelding

when i was in school and poor, my wife and i were paid to do a flu study at johns hopkins...i ended up with the flu and they had me breath chicken soup up my nose like you posted so they could get a flu culture from the broth....that was nasty....thanks for making me remember that....



g

shetline

It's easier to simply try to drink the saline solution while somebody else tries to make you laugh.

jrc

Here's the page to read



<a href="http://www.coldresearch.org/"; target="_blank">http://www.coldresearch.org/</a>;

buonrotto

An aenima for the shnoz. Lovely!

stoo

Ephedrine drops are great at opening up my swollen nasal cavities. Unfortunately I have to hang upside down off the edge of a sofa for five minutes to apply them and they aren't a long term solution.



Wouldn't sea water do the same thing? (Not here though: far too cold).

pfflam

yes saline



but also, when i feel a sinus infection coing on, i just take a shower and breath a little water up my nostrils . . . it works absolute wonders



that is, if the oncoming infection is a sinus type pobably due to the winter dry air . . . sometimes it feels like that but is really jut not getting my morning coffee

brussell

[quote]Originally posted by Powerdoc:

<strong>What you discribe is very usefull for the babies. It should work with adult too, but it will not cure all infections. Acute sinusitis with high fewer, need corticoids and antibiotics.</strong><hr></blockquote>Yeah I don't think it's claimed to cure infections, but prevent them and also reduce symptoms.

splinemodel

I do this, and it seems to make me feel pretty good, but I don't think it does much to prevent colds.



I usually use the snarf method, though, and usually with vodka or Biotene mouthwash if I have it. (No sting, and a minty after-smell.)

drewprops

Here's an easier technique than the nasal bulb:



Mix your salt water solution (sometime you may want to put a very tiny amount of hydrogen peroxide in the solution).



Take a drinking straw, put it down into the solution, put your finger over the straw. Lean your head backwards, put the straw into a nostril and release your finger from the end of the straw. The solution flows right down into your nostril without undue snorting or sucking.



I have a sinus infection right now and I haven't even done this because I hate to do it....guess I stop being a sissy and get it done.

brussell

[quote]Originally posted by Splinemodel:

<strong>I do this, and it seems to make me feel pretty good, but I don't think it does much to prevent colds.



I usually use the snarf method, though, and usually with vodka or Biotene mouthwash if I have it. (No sting, and a minty after-smell.)</strong><hr></blockquote>Yeah, I used to do it with processed coca leaves all the time.

splinemodel

[quote]Originally posted by BRussell:

<strong>Yeah, I used to do it with processed coca leaves all the time.</strong><hr></blockquote>



thanks for the vote of confidence.



Anyway, the vodka works much better than salt water. I used to use salt water, but the alcohol really does the trick.