Nasal hygiene isn’t high on anyone’s list of preferred topics. But for people with chronic illness, it can be important. Healthy sinuses can mean fewer infections, less congestion, or an end to dryness symptoms.
When I was at the Mayo Clinic a year ago, I had a consultation with one of their ear, nose and throat specialists. I had chronic fungal infections of the sinuses as well as nosebleeds caused by dryness from Sjogren’s syndrome. The doctor recommended that I start using a neti pot regularly, so I purchased the NeilMed NasaFlo from my local pharmacy.

For those unfamiliar with neti pots, they look a bit like a tea pot. The one I bought is plastic. Their purpose is to gently rinse the nose to cleanse and hydrate it.
How they work is this: you fill the pot with a mixture of distilled water, salt and baking soda. You hold the pot up to one nostril, leaning over a sink, and tilt the pot, letting the water mixture flow up the inside of your nose and back out the other nostril. After rinsing both nostrils, you gently blow your nose.
I was told to rinse twice a day, but your doctor may have a different recommendation for your particular situation, so check with him/her first. Since I started using the neti pot, I have had no bouts of bronchitis (I had been getting it three times a year), minimal fungal infection, and only a couple very minor nosebleeds, a vast improvement. And I haven’t caught any of my husband’s colds, pretty amazing since I am on immuno-suppressants.
I prefer the NeilMed brand to others because it comes with pre-mixed and pre-measured packets containing USP Grade pH balanced preservative-free sodium chloride and sodium bicarbonate. You just pour distilled water to the fill line on the neti pot, add the contents of one packet, shake it up, and you’re good to go. Also, the instructions for use are quite clear, and there is an educational brochure included.
NeilMed neti pots can also be helpful for those with allergies, CPAP users, recovery from sinus surgery or for those who already have the flu or a cold. But it can be contraindicated if the ears are affected by congestion, so follow the warnings on the package.
While neti pots may not be the most glamorous of products, they do have a place in the hygiene regimen and are in my opinion well worth the money.
Submitted by: Karen Brauer, Butyoudontlooksick.com, © 2009