Skip to main content

Nasal Rinsing - an underused tool for health

Why should you do a nasal wash?

I have become a big fan of nasal washing. This simple and easy to use tool can be very powerful when used regularly. For many years, I only emphasized nasal washing when an upper respiratory illness began. While nasal washing is quite useful in relieving the symptoms of infections, it is even more useful when used regularly. I now recommend anyone with any respiratory issues perform nasal washing 1-2x/day and increase to 3-4x/day if allergies worsen or at the onset of a respiratory infection. Regular nasal washing cleans mucus, decreases swelling and flushes out allergen which can make a dramatic difference in your health. You can expect to see:

· Less sniffing
· Less nasal voice
· Less clearing of your throat (post nasal drip)
· Decreased snoring and potentially better sleep for all J
· Relieve pregnancy rhinitis – the congestion during pregnancy
· Clears passages for CPAP users
· Children who wash have less missed school days and less doctor visits
· Improved ability to taste and smell
· Less infections
· Less asthma symptoms
· Less use of antihistamines, antibiotics and asthma medications
· More energy
· Better concentration
· Less use of antihistamines, antibiotics and asthma medications

What Rinsing Device Should I Use?

The 2 most popular units are the NeilMed Device and the Neti Pot. The Neti Pot is like an Aladdin’s Lamp that uses gravity. The NeilMed and another Product called Nasopure involve gently squeezing the bottle and uses positive pressure to provide more thorough rinsing. You can the NeilMed and Neti Pot devices in most drug stores. You can order the Nasopure device at www.nasopure.com and it is also in some stores.

What is the correct nasal washing technique?

• Wash your hands
• Make the nasal wash solution using boiled or distilled water
• Make the saltwater, or saline, solution fresh for every nasal wash

To make an Isotonic saltwater solution, mix ½ teaspoon of uniodized salt in an 8-ounce glass of warm water. Uniodized salt is used because iodized salt may be irritating when used over a long period of time. Add a pinch of baking soda. A pinch is a small amount you can pick up between two fingers
• To make Hypertonic Saltwater Solution (more effective) use 1 tsp. of salt with ½ tsp. of baking soda per 8 oz.
• Use the entire 8 ounces of saltwater during the nasal wash
• Discard any unused saltwater and prepare a new saltwater solution before the next nasal wash

Isotonic Solution
An isotonic solution has the same concentration of salt as fluids in the body. While isotonic solutions do not have as many benefits as hypertonic solutions, many people like to begin nasal washing with these because they are milder.

Hypertonic Solution Studies show hypertonic solutions have benefits over isotonic:
Thins thick secretions most effectively
Removes 80% of allergens and can actually kill bacteria, fungi and viruses
Shrinks swollen membranes better


Precautions
Do not use regular tap water without boiling first or use distilled water
Do not wash if nasal passage is completely blocked
Use only lukewarm water. Do not use cold or hot water
Avoid rinsing later than one hour before bedtime, in order to avoid any residual solution dripping in the throat
No Plain Water! Plain water without salt and baking soda will result in severe burning sensation
Can they brush their teeth? A person who does a nasal wash should be able to brush their own teeth. This ensures safe use of the product

Not in my nose!
I know many think “there is no way I am putting anything up my nose!” Nasal Washing really is quite easy and can even be pleasant. I encourage you to give it a try. Once you see the benefits, you will want to continue this simple wellness tool.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

SQ NAD+ for Wellness

  Subcutaneous NAD+ for Wellness   In recent years, there has been a surge of interest in using NAD+ (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide) to improve health.   This brief article focuses on using subcutaneous injections of NAD+, its potential health benefits, and how it can be incorporated into a wellness regimen. What is Subcutaneous (SQ) NAD+?    NAD+ is a coenzyme found in all living cells, playing a crucial role in energy metabolism and cellular function.    NAD+ levels naturally decline with age and further reduced with alcohol.    NAD+ levels can be effectively increased with a virtually painless injection into the abdominal fat using a very small insulin syringe/needle.  The Health Benefits of SQ NAD+ Energy, stamina, and athletic performance : One of the primary roles of NAD+ is to facilitate the conversion of nutrients into energy.   Many people report higher energy levels, improved stamina, and enhanced...
Read more

Methylene Blue for Healthy Mitochondria and More

Methylene Blue for Healthy Mitochondria and More Don Ellsworth, M.D.     Methylene blue is a heterocyclic aromatic molecule that has been used for over a century to treat a variety of medical conditions from treating urinary tract infections, malaria, to serving as an antidote to toxins.   Methylene Blue has demonstrated benefits for a wide range of health concerns:   1.      Brain health: reducing risk and ameliorating neurodegenerative diseases, improving memory, focus, and learning. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5826781/ and Molecular Mechanisms of the Neuroprotective Effect of Methylene Blue - PubMed (nih.gov) 2.      Improves longevity in animal studies, recommend you read https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8699482/ 3.      Improves skin health, slows skin aging. As a potent antioxidant, methylene blue can effectively ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Time Restricted Eating (a.k.a. Intermittent Fasting) and Fasting

When you eat the right foods, your health will improve; however, the best results are when you eat the right foods at the right times. Suggestions on how to start Step 1: Eat while the sun is up (no later than 7 PM) Why?  The body becomes progressively more insulin resistant as the days go on so we store more of what we eat later in the day. Step 2: Decrease your eating window i.e. Intermittent fasting (also known as time restricted eating) Contrary to conventional wisdom, eating throughout the day often contributes to over-eating and disease.    Restricting your eating hours to a 6-11 hour window (or less) can dramatically improve health.   Women of child-bearing age should be less aggressive in restricting their eating periods.   Men and some individuals with significant health issues may benefit from a shorter eating window of 2-6 hours.     Generally, one should practice intermittent fasting only 5-6 days a week in order to...
Read more