Health&Wellness Magazine August 2014 | Page 12

12 & August 2014 | Read this issue and more at www.healthandwellnessmagazine.net | INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE Rinsing Sinuses Safely By John A. Patterson MD, MSPH, FAAFP A pharmacist I met several years ago at a yoga retreat couldn’t stop singing the praises of her daily nasal rinse with a neti pot. After having sinus infections several times a year for most of her life, she had been symptom-free for over a year by using this ancient self-care practice. After doing some research, I learned the procedure is generally safe for both adults and children when done properly. It can be used both to prevent and treat nasal and sinus symptoms. Nasal rinsing with a salt water solution can relieve congestion and sinus symptoms and moisten dry, irritated nasal passages. Like salt water nose drops that you may already be familiar with, the saline solution relieves congestion by drawing fluid from swollen nasal membranes. Nasal rinsing can loosen thick or dried mucus and remove dirt, dust and pollen filtered naturally from the inhaled air by nasal hairs. This can relieve symptoms of allergies, colds, flu and sinusitis. The FDA warns, however, of possible serious infection, and even death, from improper use of nasal rinsing devices, including neti pots, bulb syringes, squeeze bottles and battery-operated pulsed water devices. Water safety is the main concern. Municipal tap water, even though properly treated, may contain bacteria and protozoa, including amoebas, which are deemed safe is clean and completely dry. To mix for oral consumption since they are your saline solution, use commerusually killed by stomach bacteria. cial water t ]\