Get Sinus Relief With a Neti Pot
The Little Device That Promises Big Relief for Nasal Congestion
Jan 8, 2008
The neti pot is the best little gross-out device on the market today. Being touted as a miracle cure for colds, sinus headaches, and the sleeplessness associated with sinus related conditions, the neti pot is an ancient Indian device that irrigates the nasal passages.
How the Neti Pot Works
Without being indelicate, you use a neti pot to pour a small amount of saltwater solution into your nose to irrigate your nasal passages and flush out impurities. The goal is to introduce the water into one nostril and have it drain out of the other. As the salt water makes its circuit, it loosens and removes particulates and mucus. Concentrations of mucus and foreign matter that you inadvertently introduce into your system clog your sinus passages, causing headaches, making it hard to breathe, and creating a breeding ground for germs.
Neti Pots Spike in Popularity
Sufferers of chronic nasal problems have traditionally used the nose dropper method of saltwater irrigation to find relief, but the neti pot is making the practice if nasal irrigation downright cool. Since its debut on Oprah, the neti pot has become a popular alternative to over-the-counter nasal remedies. Once consigned to import and health food stores, the neti pot can now be found almost anywhere. An instrument that is inexpensive to purchase and avoids the interaction problems present in many nasal sprays and pills, the neti pot is taking up valuable real estate in medicine cabinets across the United States.
Tips on How to Use a Neti Pot
If you're still interested, here are some tips on using this handy tool:
- Make sure that you follow all of the package directions for use, including all cautions.
- When making your salt solution, use non-iodized salt.
- Use warm water.
- Dissolve all salt thoroughly. Partially dissolved salt crystals can cut or score your delicate nasal tissues.
- Go slow at first. This is a new experience and feels a little strange; so don't rush it.
- After flushing, be careful to lean forward in order to avoid swallowing water.
- There can be quite a bit of impacted material, which is one of the reasons you're so uncomfortable. Don't let your distaste for the process make you lose sight of the benefits.
What can you say about a product that has such a distasteful but useful function? Well, 'get over it', comes to mind. If you suffer from nasal issues, what wouldn't you be willing to do for some relief?
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