Himalayan Chandra Neti Pot
If environmental irritants, dust, and allergens are taking a toll on your sinus and nasal passages, the Himalayan Chandra Neti Pot could be a solution for you. The porcelain neti pot is designed to make sinus and nasal draining a more comfortable experience. Plus, this neti pot is lead-free, making it a safer alternative for nasal irrigation use.
How Sinus Rinsing Works
Both seasonal and year-round allergies begin when an offending substance, such as pollens, pet dander, mold or spores, finds a passage into your body. Oftentimes, thats your nostrils. By running homemade saltwater or a pre-made saline solution through your nasal passages, sinus rinsing physically flushes out those allergens, reducing the load on your system. You should not use plain water because it has a different pH than your body and will feel irritating.
Along with expelling allergens, sinus rinsing also clears out any mucus that may have built up in your nostrils and sinuses. You want to get rid of this mucus so it doesnt stagnate and harbor bacteria. For this reason, sinus rinsing can also be a big help when you feel a cold coming on. Even if you dont have allergies, if you have frequent sinus infections, rinsing can help keep the mucus flowing out so there is less chance of bacteria overgrowing inside the sinuses.
Neilmed Nasaflo Neti Pot
New to nasal irrigation? The NeilMed NasaFlo Neti Pot provides you with easy-to-follow instructions and equipment to keep allergy, sinus, and cold symptoms at bay. From setup to post-care, NeilMed shows you how to safely use the neti pot, which features a clear design for solution mixing and water monitoring. Plus, the neti pots premixed packets are made with USP Grade sodium bicarbonate and sodium chloride, meaning that they dont contain iodine or preservatives.
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What Is A Neti Pot
A neti pot is a device that cleanses and refreshes the nasal passages. Neti pots are usually plastic or ceramic and they resemble a small teapot. The neti pot has its origin in Ayurvedic medicine. Neti is actually Sanskrit for nasal cleansing.
How do neti pots work? By design, a neti pot enables its user to pour a nasal rinse into the nostrils in such a way that it flushes out irritants and thins out mucus. This typically leads to less congestion and easier breathing through the nose. A neti pot acts as somewhat of a booster for your bodys own natural operations. What do I mean by that? Microscopic, hair-like structures called cilia line your nasal cavity and the surrounding sinuses. Cilia help to usher mucus out of your nose. Nasal irrigation with a saline solution is said to help the cilia work better at getting rid of mucus and unwanted particles that often lead to sinus issues.
A neti pot is filled with purified water and salt or salt-based mixture specifically designed for neti pot use. Its also super easy to create your own homemade neti pot solution . You may be wondering why you cant use water by itself in your neti pot. The interesting fact is that using water alone can actually irritate the inside of your nostrils. Adding salt to purified water permits the water to travel through the sensitive membranes of the nasal passages with very little to no burning sensations.
In Allergy Season Flush Dont Sneeze
Three cheers to spring being only a couple weeks away. Two thumbs down for the pollen storms it brings. Chances are most people will have some kind of reaction to the allergen flurries at some time during spring and summer. If its not the pollen from leafy trees that gets to you, it might be the grasses or weeds.Neti pots are incredibly effective at relieving the worst symptoms of seasonal allergies. A good sinus rinse can flush out a fair amount of the airborne stuff that collects in your nasal passages. Thats the stuff that can make you sneezy, stuffy, headachy and uncomfortable. Using a neti pot, a small teapot-like vessel with a long spout, also helps remove dried mucus, reduces inflammation and relieves sinus maladies, such as allergic rhinitis and chronic sinusitis.Malea MacOdrum, naturopathic doctor and acupuncturist at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center in Portland, Ore., recommends her patients use a neti pot or saline nasal spray for all these conditions. She says her patients have had positive experiences and found relief.
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Common Mistakes & Risks With The Neti Pot
The number one risk when it comes to neti pots is using a dangerous water source. By dangerous, I mean water that contains bacteria. This can happen if you use tap water in your neti pot that has not been boiled and cooled first. ALWAYS use recommended water sources and dont take any chances whatsoever. A neti pot death can occur if you use water infected with deadly bacteria. In 2011, there were at least two deaths in the United States due to improper neti pot use. Both deaths were the result of using tap water contaminated with Naegleria fowleri, a very fatal type of bacteria.
Naegleria fowleri causes the brain infection known as primary amebic meningoencephalitis . Symptoms of PAM usually begin 1 to 9 days after infection. At first symptoms can include headache, fever, nausea, or vomiting. Later stage symptoms may include stiff neck, confusion, lack of attention to people and surroundings, loss of balance, seizures and hallucinations. The disease tends to rapidly get worse and typically leads to death within about 5 days of onset. Not to freak you out, but there truly is a very good and scary reason why you dont want to mess around with the water you use in your neti pot.
Neti pots are like toothbrushes and they should never be shared. Of course, it would be more cost effective to share a neti pot with your family members. But, it is not the safe or sanitary thing to do.
Final Thoughts
Dont Use Cold Solutions
You should never use a cold solution in your nasal passages especially if youre irrigating your nasal passages after sinus surgery.
Some of the solutions we prescribe after sinus surgery must be kept in the refrigerator, says Dr. Sindwani. You need to allow the solution to come to room temperature before using them.
If you just had sinus surgery and you used a cold solution, you could develop bony growths in your nasal passages called paranasal sinus exostoses . Dr. Sindwani and his research team have discovered that these growths can develop in the sinuses of people who have undergone surgery for chronic rhinosinusitis, or inflammation in the lining of the sinuses.
This is related to the solution being cold, not necessarily what is in the solution, says Dr. Sindwani. These growths can develop when the cold solution comes into contact with the surgically opened sinus cavities.
PSE look like small polyps or cysts, but they are actually bone. Theyve only been found in the sinuses after surgery, but its still important to use fluids at room temperature.
There are newer medications in development that dont require refrigeration, says Dr. Sindwani. This will make nasal irrigation easier and safer.
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What Allergy Symptoms Neti Pots Can And Cant Help With
Kara Wada, MD, an allergist at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, is in favor of using a neti pot if you have seasonal allergies. Neti pot saline rinses can be helpful in increasing mucous clearance from the nasal passageways and sinuses. Additionally, they can help flush out inhaled allergens, she says. She says that they can help if you have a runny nose, congestion, postnasal drip, a sore throat, or cough. Thats a lot of annoying symptoms it would be great to get rid of!
Allergist and asthma specialist Neha Bhambri, MD also says that using a neti pot can come in handy if you have allergies. They can wash away mucus and irritants such as dust, pollen, and bacteria out of the nose. They also help the mucosa to stay more hydrated, she says. That said, she says that neti pots cant help with everything. Allergy symptoms can vary greatly and while neti pots are very helpful for nasal congestion and mucus, they will not help with ocular allergy which shows itself as itchy, watery eyes or common rashes such as hives or eczema experienced during the season, she says.
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Allergy and asthma specialist Michelle Yasharpour, MD, explains that the reason why neti pots can be helpful is because it helps thin mucus, making it easier to clear out the nose. She says that a neti pot can also help decrease edema, which occurs when tiny blood vessels leak fluid, which can lead to swelling.
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With pollen coating everything from our cars to our clothes, daily allergy medications oftentimes just dont cut it. I recently found myself popping Claritin like an addict, tissues in hand, clawing at my eyes. Everything itched: my eyes, my throat, the bridge of my nose, the roof of my mouth, the insides of my ears. My entire head was one giant, itchy mess.
Every year, I cross my fingers and hope that this spring will be different and I wont wake up with eyes that make me want to pull an Oedipus and forget seeing forever. And every year, I struggle with just taking over-the-counter allergy medication. A few weeks ago when I began suffering from a sore throat due to postnasal drip, I found myself wondering if there was anything else I could do.
If you read our recent Ask the Health Coach column, you know that using a Neti pot can greatly help allergy suffers. This teapot-shaped device has been used for hundreds of years to clear out sinuses a saltwater mixture is poured in through one nostril and comes out the other. But this process tends to intimidate most people. Who would actually do that?
Im not most people, so I decided to give it a shot. It helped that I was at my breaking pointif I came within a few feet of another flower, I was going to kill someone. Probably myself.
A Neti pot is often confused with Aladdins lamp, and I think people might be onto something. Maybe there is something magical involved after all.
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Does The Neti Pot Really Work
Some ear, nose, and throat surgeons recommend nasal irrigation with a Neti pot or other method for their patients who’ve undergone sinus surgery, to clear away crusting in the nasal passages. Many people with sinus symptoms from allergies and environmental irritants also have begun to regularly use the Neti pot or other nasal irrigation devices, claiming that these devices alleviate congestion, and facial pain and pressure. Research backs up these claims, finding that nasal irrigation can be an effective way to relieve sinus symptoms when used along with standard sinus treatments. For some people, nasal irrigation may bring relief of sinus symptoms without the use of medications.
The basic explanation of how the Neti pot works is that it thins mucus and helps flush it out of the nasal passages.
A more biological explanation for how the Neti pot works has to do with tiny, hair-like structures called cilia that line the inside of the nasal and sinus cavities. These cilia wave back and forth to push mucus either to the back of the throat where it can be swallowed, or to the nose to be blown out. Saline solution can help increase the speed and improve coordination of the cilia so that they may more effectively remove the allergens and other irritants that cause sinus problems.
Is The Neti Pot Safe
Research has found that the Neti pot is generally safe. A small number of regular users experience mild side effects, such as nasal irritation and stinging. Nosebleeds can also occur, but they are rare. Reducing the amount of salt in the solution, adjusting the frequency of Neti pot use, and changing the temperature of the water may help to reduce side effects.
To help prevent infection, always use distilled, sterile, or previously boiled water. Also, it’s important to properly care for your nasal irrigation device. Either wash the device thoroughly by hand, or put it in the dishwasher if it’s dishwasher-safe. Follow by drying the device completely after each use.
If you experience side effects or develop an infection, talk to your doctor.
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Three: Neti Pot Movements
Even though instructions vary by neti pot, the FDA divides neti pot movements into four clear steps. First, lean over your sink and tilt your head sideways, keeping your chin and forehead at the same level. Next, breathe gently with your mouth open and insert the neti pot spout in your upper nostril. This movement will cause the saline solution to drain out of your lower nostril. Then, gently clear your nostrils with a tissue to get rid of extra mucus and discharge. Lastly, repeat the steps above for the other side.
Ease Allergies With Sinus Rinsing
Learn how flushing your nasal passages with saline can relieve stubborn allergy symptoms.
More frequently, doctors are recommending sinus rinsing, also called sinus irrigation, to help alleviate allergy symptoms. At first, the idea of putting salty water up your nose might sound daunting. But for many people with allergies, once they try and get accustomed to sinus rinsing, they find it really helps.
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What Do They Do And Are They Safe
Sinus issues can cause us headaches, pressure and pain in our faces, foreheads, throats, ears and even our jaws.
What nasal irrigation does
Usually, when were healthy, nasal mucus drains without much notice. But when allergies kick up, nasal tissue can become inflamed and irritated, causing the mucus to thicken and we feel congested. Nasal irrigation softens, thins and rinses out the mucus, clearing away irritants.
Nasal irrigation has been around for centuries, although only gaining visibility in the U.S. since the 70s. About 500 years ago, delivery systems such as neti pots began to be used in India.
Are they safe for seniors ?
When done properly, nasal irrigation is safe for people of all ages. ParentGiving.com indicates, I think neti is an excellent idea, says Steven Park, MD, a New York City ear, nose and throat specialist and author of Sleep, Interrupted: A physician reveals the #1 reason why so many of us are sick and tired. When I first mention it to my patients, they are reluctant. But when they see the benefits, they like it. The problem is they dont incorporate it to their daily life. They should use it prophylactically on a daily basis.
Dr. Park explains how it works this way: When you have salty water in your nose, the nasal membranes shrink and you can breathe much better. Neti is generally considered to be safe, but if you have concerns about whether you should try in, ask your ear, nose and throat doctor if its right for you.
Health Benefits Of A Neti Pot
1. Congested Sinuses
In India, flushing warm salty water through the nasal cavities has been used for centuries to help with nasal congestion as well as allergies. Sometimes we can experience sinus congestion due to environmental irritants including dust, pollen, chemicals, or synthetic fragrances. In general, a neti pot is an excellent tool to perform nasal irrigation and reduce general sinus congestion. Whatever the cause, neti pots are best known to help get the inside of your nose in a healthier, less irritated state by flushing out any unwanted invaders and excess mucus.
2. Colds
One of the most classic unwanted symptoms of the common cold is nasal congestion. It can also be accompanied by sinus headache and facial pain. When you use a neti pot for a stuffy nose due to a cold, you can thin out the mucus so it can drain out more easily. This can help to relieve multiple cold symptoms. In addition to using a neti pot, you should also drink a lot of water to help break up mucus.
3. Sinus Infections
4. Allergies
A 2010 scientific review published in the American Journal of Rhinology and Allergy also confirms that nasal irrigation with a saline solution is not only a safe and inexpensive way to improve a stuffy nose caused by allergies. It also improves overall quality of life for the allergy sufferer and leads to less of a need for allergy medications.
5. Pregnancy-related Sinus Issues
6. Snoring
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Do’s And Don’ts For Treating Nasal Allergies
If you suffer from nasal allergies, you are probably looking for relief fromthe sneezing, nasal congestion, and watery or itchy eyes. While your symptomsmay periodically return, even with treatment, you can make living with nasalallergies more bearable. As you search for answers, keep the following do’s anddont’s in mind.
Only Use Nasal Irrigation When You Need It
Start by performing just one irrigation a day. If the rinse is helping, you can irrigate your nose up to three times a day. But nasal rinses should not be used as a preventive measure when you dont have symptoms. It wont prevent sinus issues and can cause infections to develop.
Your sinuses and nasal passages are lined with good mucus it traps the irritants and germs that enter your nostrils and can kill some bacteria. Regular flushing can hinder those protective features and increase the risk of infection.
If you find yourself performing nasal irrigation all the time, reach out to your primary care physician about treatment for chronic sinus or allergy issues.
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