Guest post by Anthony Del Signore, MD, Assistant Professor of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Director of Rhinology and Endoscopic Skull Base Surgery at Mount Sinai Beth Israel. To make an appointment, call 212-844-8494.
Allergies and chronic sinus issues can leave many patients finding it very difficult to breathe freely from their nose. On a daily basis, the body’s nasal mucosa is bombarded with a countless number of irritants, pollutants, fragrances and allergens. Certain individuals can be exquisitely sensitive to these substances, causing the body’s natural barrier, the nasal mucosa, to become inflamed and irritated. The end result leaves the patient with chronic nasal obstruction, persistent nasal drip, thick secretions and an overall difficult time moving air in and out of the nasal passages.
Patients looking for relief often find themselves drowning in a sea of medications and over-the-counter products available at the local pharmacy. One such remedy readily available at most pharmacies are nasal saline irrigations. The act of rinsing nasal passages with salt water can provide many benefits. First, it can reduce the amount and thickness of extra mucous in the nose. Secondly, it clears the nasal passages and mucosa of the irritating allergens and irritants from the nasal passages to reduce contact time with the nasal tissue there by reducing inflammation. Third, by reducing the inflammation within the nasal cavity, the natural flow out of sinuses occurs much more freely, making it harder for bacteria and viruses to build up causing infection.
About Saline Irrigations for the Sinuses
Saline irrigations come in many preparations and methods of delivery into the nose, ranging from a very passive delivery (i.e. Netipot) versus a more active delivery (i.e., pressurized nasal spray or squeeze bottle nasal wash). Typically, the more active delivery methods provide a thorough washing of the nasal cavity and sinuses. Regardless of the type, the saline mixture is prepared and delivered into one nostril and flows out the other nostril. Many patients like to experiment with the variety of products available on the market to determine which fits their life and preferences best. Best of all, these non-prescription medications can be found at your nearest pharmacy and are available over-the-counter.
At first your doctor may ask you to perform these irrigations daily to twice daily until symptoms are controlled. Thereafter the nasal irrigations can be used on an as needed bases episodically (i.e., when exposed to irritants) to seasonally (i.e. seasonal allergies). A discussion with your doctor will help to determine if nasal irrigations are right for you and to rule out any underlying issues that may need to be addressed.