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What is Nasal Washing?

2009-06-19 10:50:17

Nasal washing, also called nasal irrigation, occurs when the nasal cavity is

rinsed with a saline water solution to moisturize the mucus membranes and flush

out irritants and excess mucus. A popular personal hygiene practice in India,

the disciples of yoga have used nasal washing methods for centuries. This

practice has recently caught on in Western cultures where an increasing number

of people are becoming interested in homeopathic health treatments.

Nasal irrigation is usually used to treat sinus and nasal conditions such as

the common cold, hay fever, nasal congestion, and inflammation of the nose and

sinuses. Others have reported that this cleansing practice can help flu

sufferers feel better.

Nasal washing has many benefits, including reduced allergy symptoms, improved

sinuses, and even the need for less allergy medication. Nasal washes help clean

mucus from the sinus passages and remove irritants such as dust, smoke residue,

or pollen from the nose. Nasal irrigation also removes bacteria and viruses

from the nose and can decrease the swelling in the nose to allow increased air

flow.

There are several nasal washing techniques. The simplest method is probably the

hand technique, where one pours saltwater into the palm and sniffs the liquid

up the nose one nostril at a time. This technique is not considered to be as

effective as others, but it can be easily done in a pinch. A more common nasal

washing method calls for a squeeze bottle. The bottle is filled with saltwater,

placed against the nostril, and squeezed. The saltwater should go up the

nostril and come out the opposite nostril or the mouth.

Some people choose to use a water pik with a sinus irrigator tip. The water pik

is filled with saltwater and set to the lowest pressure. The tip is inserted

just inside the nostril and the fluid is allowed to come out of the other

nostril or the mouth.

Neti pots are another way one can do a nasal washing. A neti pot is a ceramic

pot that looks a lot like a small, Aladdin s lamp. Neti pots generally deliver

water with less force than the squeeze bottle and water pik techniques. The pot

is filled with warm salt water, then the tip of the spot is gently inserted

into a nostril. The pot is tipped and the waters flow through one nostril and

out the other.

Still others prefer to wash their nasal cavity with a pulsating irrigator. This

device looks similar to a water pick and delivers a controlled flow of water.

Some medical reports state that the consistent water pressure irrigates the

sinuses more effectively than other methods.

Nasal washing is not really painful, but it can be a bit uncomfortable. No

matter what technique is used, the point of the treatment is to cleanse, not

blast, the sinuses. The water pressure should never be any stronger than the

flow of a water fountain. The water solution needs to be lukewarm to make it

the most comfortable. Plain cold water might irritate the sensitive mucus

membranes in the nose. Nasal washing might sound gross, but those who use this

personal hygiene practice rave about its effectiveness.

Nasal wash

A saltwater nasal wash helps remove mucus, bacteria, and other foreign

materials from the nose and sinuses. This can temporarily reduce symptoms of

nasal congestion and postnasal drip. Doing a nasal wash before using a steroid

nasal spray may make the steroid more effective. After doing a nasal wash, wait

until the draining stops, then use your nasal spray as prescribed by your

healthcare provider. Nasal saline wash of the nose can be one of the most

helpful treatments for both acute and chronic sinus problems.

A nasal wash:

Cleans mucus from the nose so medication is more effective.
Cleans allergens and irritants from the nose, reducing their impact.
Removes bacteria and viruses from the nose, reducing the frequency of

infection.

Decreases swelling in the nose and increases air flow.

The first step in carrying out a nasal wash is to wash your hands. Next,

prepare the nasal wash solution.

To make the saltwater solution for the nasal wash:

Mix one-half teaspoon 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.

If you are congested, use the entire 8 ounces of saltwater during the nasal

wash; otherwise, 4 ounces should be enough. Briefly, the wash involves

squirting saltwater into one side of your nose and letting it run out the

other; see the next page for techniques to use. After the wash, discard any

unused saltwater. Prepare a new saltwater solution before the next nasal wash,

using a clean glass.