Nasal Irrigation as Cold Remedy Featured on NPR

In a recent piece titled Nasal Irrigation Makes Comeback as Cold Remedy, NPR featured this practice and its effect on the every day lives of cold and allergy sufferers.

In short, nasal irrigation is the practice of flushing a warm saline solution through the nostrils, in order to clean out the nasal passages and alleviate stuffiness and blockage. Many people have found that regular nasal irrigation can help prevent colds, relieve pressure, alleviate a stuffy nose or nasal dryness, and improve or prevent allergies. But for others, this practice remains an intimidating process, or a completely unknown technique.

Flushing water through the sinuses seems challenging, if not unpleasant, for most people. Don't worry, we're going to explain the process step by step -- it's actually not as terrible as it sounds. And using one of the specially designed devices mentioned above can make it quite easy.

Who should use nasal irrigation, and what does it help?

Nasal irrigation is not harmful and can be used by most people for a number of sinus problems. It can be used to fight colds, clean out the nasal passages to relieve nasal stuffiness, blockage, and dryness, and to reduce symptoms from allergies. For people who suffer from seasonal allergies, sinus irrigation can flush and remove pollens from the nose.
You should not use nasal irrigation if you are suffering from acute sinusitis or have frequent nosebleeds.

How does nasal irrigation work?

You start with solution. There are various types of solutions available, as well as various schools of thought on the best way to prepare a nasal wash. However, the general idea is that it is a saline (salt water) solution, at a moderately warm temperature.
Then, you need a container of some sort. These range from the primitive solution of the cupped hand, to more advanced technological devices. Some people like to use a bulb syringe, or a neti pot.
Then you get to the business of flushing your nasal cavities. If you're using a simpler device like a neti pot or syringe, use the following steps:
1. First, lower your head over a sink, so that dripping water stays contained.
2. Turn your neck to the side so that one nostril is down.
3. Using the container, pour the solution into the other nostril.
4. The fluid will drain out of the lower nostril, down into the sink. (It can help to plug the other nostril).
5. Gently blow nose to remove excess moisture.
6. Repeat this procedure with the other nostril.
Make sure that you continue to breathe steadily and evenly through the mouth as you do this, to avoid accidentally inhaling the solution.

Can I mix my own solution?

Yes. The saline solution used in nasal irrigation can be purchased or prepared at home. To mix a saline solution with similar salt content to your body fluids, mix 1/4 tsp salt, 8 oz warm water, and 1/4 tsp baking soda. It is preferable that you use filtered or distilled water, and a non-iodized canning salt rather than a general table salt, but it's not completely necessary.
There are two kinds of home prepared saline solutions. What's known as an "isotonic" saline solution is one which contains a salt concentration similar to the concentration in the body's fluids (like the one above). This is a more soothing mixture. A "hypertonic" saline solution contains a higher concentration of salt, more like ocean water. This saltier water can do more to relieve swelling, as salt tends to absorb moisture -- the higher salt content in the water means that the water in your swollen tissues will be absorbed by it. However, research on the effectiveness of a hypertonic solution has shown controversial results. And, it can be more irritating to your sinuses than the isotonic saline solution.

You might ask: why not just use plain water? As mentioned, salt tends to absorb moisture. Since there is some salt content in your tissues, rinsing with a water which has lower salt content than your body can increase the swelling in your sinuses. The salt content in your sinuses will absorb the water rinse, causing them to become more swollen.  

Is it safe?

Yes, nasal irrigation is safe, just the same way that ocean water is safe. It can be used every day with no side effects.

Does it hurt?

No, at worst it is mildly uncomfortable.

What are cilia, and what do they have to do with nasal irrigation?

Cilia are tiny microscopic "hairs" which move bacteria out of the nose, beating at about 20 pulses per second. Many sinus problems are caused because the cilia have slowed their beating or stopped beating all together. Using a saline irrigation rinse in a special device which pulsates the flow of the rinse, can cause the cilia to return to their normal rate of beating. For this reason, it can be preferable to use a specially designed irrigation device which automatically pulsates the flow, rather than a simple irrigating container.

Nasal Irrigation Product Guide