Nasal irrigation-how often? Opinions?

Hello folks,

I was grateful to read a thread here on "nasal irrigation" yesterday. After reading the interesting postings, and other postings elsewhere on this forum, I decided to try it in an effort to tackle my lifelong sinusitus problems. I bought a kit at the drugstore, (Neilmed squeeze bottle), worked up my courage (I'm very squeamish), and tried it.

I am very optimistic about this working well, for people like me who are very congested all the time and have lots of difficult symptoms. My breathing was easier, and sinuses felt "cleared out " after one try in the morning, and even better after a second session in the evening. Already, after one day I would recommend this health practice to anyone who suffers from congestion problems. I found it interesting reading Neilmed.com to educating myself on this ancient practice, plus as I said, thanks again to this great forum which never fails to astound me.

My question-how often do folks recommend doing this? I'm a little confused. In my reading over the past 2 days, I've read recommendations of twice a day, or once a week, or once a day. With my severe case of congestion and allergies, I wouldn't mind doing this procedure twice a day, but as some folks have written, this strange health practice does take some "getting used to". Whew.

Please share opinions, if you would like.

Thank you,
Twilightcat

Hi!

From what I found at http://www.mayoclinic.com it seems like it's a safe thing to do. I use it only during the winter because that's when I'm congested. I found I needed to use it once a day but then I'm not severely congested. You might want to check one of the health web sites like mayoclinic to see what they say.

Mindy (not logged in)

I started every evening after dinner and before bed, then after a week went to every other day then only once or twice a week depending on outside air quality. For the past several weeks our air quality has been in the "unhealthy" range due to all the forest fires in the area.

But I have a pool outside my door and I've been taking evening swims when it is warm enough, we have solar heating so pool water is about 80-85F.

The more you use it the more it flushes out those allergens, when those allergens are flushed out less mucus is needed naturally so things don't build up.

If you make your own solution (I do) if you add a pinch of Arm & Hammer baking soda to the 8oz solution it will really flush things out, it dissolves dried mucus and really flushes things out.

Hi! Thanks for your responses, Mindy and Snoredog.

Snoredog, if you see this, would you please tell me how much salt do you add to the 8 ounces, when making your own solution?

Thank you,
Twilightcat

*I've started this about two weeks ago and am doing it once a day about 1-2 hours before bedtime. I find if I skip a day , I can feel a difference.

As I am more used to it, I intend to move up to 2 x a day.

It really helps, along with cutting out dairy products, at least for me.

1/8 Teaspoon of non-Iodized or sea salt with a pinch of baking soda. Mix with 8 oz. of distilled water. I warm it in a measuring cup with one of the little plug in coil warmers they sell for warming water for tea or instant coffee in the camping or travel section. Plug it in for 2 1/2 min and temp is just right for me and I dont have to go to the kitchen.

Jerry

I actually use 1/4 tsp of sea salt (milder than table salt, even the non-iodized kind) per 8 oz water, so it may depend on what kind of salt you're using. If you use too much (or too little) you'll know right away!

I didn't know about the pinch of baking soda option...may try that tonight.


I do it on a semi-nightly basis (i.e. every night that I'm not too tired/lazy to get to it before bed). 4-5 times a week has almost entirely eliminated (!!) my spring allergies this year, for the first time in 10+ years! (I started using the neti pot in March, and once June hit I realized I never had to spend my usual month on claritin once everything started flowering and shedding.)