Alternatives to Sinus Medication There is a non-medication alternative to sinus medications. It involves irrigating the sinuses with salt water on a daily basis. This is not just a nasal spray of salt water, but a good irrigation. Studies have shown a decrease in the use of common sinus medications with this technique. Is there a Way to Prevent Sinusitis? Nasal irrigation using salt water and a Neti Pot is very helpful in both the prevention and the treatment of sinusitis. A Neti Pot is a small teapot shaped vessel that can be purchased easily on the web. Why is Nasal Irrigation Helpful? Irrigating the nose with salt water is useful for cleaning mucous out of the nasal passages and relieving nasal congestion. With proper use of an inexpensive device called a Neti Pot, it is possible to irrigate the sinus cavities. When a strong salt-water solution is used, the sinuses are stimulated to expel mucous that is trapped and stagnating. This results in a "runny nose" that may last for 10 or 15 minutes, after which the sinuses are relatively empty with less material to drain out and cause postnasal drip. In addition, germs tend to breed in this mucous, so the less mucous there is, the less likely it is that you will get a sinus infection. The whole process is simple, comfortable and quick. After you do it once or twice, it should require no more than a few minutes to complete an irrigation from start to finish. One or 2 minutes a day spent performing nasal irrigation is often more effective than weeks and weeks of antibiotics, decongestants, and cortisone nasal sprays, and has none of the side effects of these medications. Even if you do require medications or surgery, the improved cleanliness of the sinuses makes it more likely that these treatments will be effective. How Do I Irrigate? First, it is important not to use common table salt to irrigate the nose on a regular basis, because it contains certain chemicals such as iodine and "anti-clumping" additives that can be harmful if used frequently. You can use Kosher salt (found in most groceries right along with the table salt) or sea salt found in health food stores. With a measuring spoon, add 1 teaspoon of salt to the Neti Pot and fill it with warm tap water. Stir very thoroughly. The salt water usually doesn't sting but the salt particles will if they are not dissolved well. You can use a little less than a teaspoon at first if it feels more comfortable, but after a few days there should be no discomfort at all and you can mix it a little stronger. Lean over the sink, tilt your head to one side (it should be almost flat-one ear up and one ear down), and put the spout of the Neti Pot into the upper nostril. Pour the salt water slowly into your nose while you continue breathing through your mouth. The water will flow into the upper nostril, turn the corner at the back of the nose, and trickle back out the lower nostril. When the pot is about half empty, stop, turn your head the other way and repeat the process. Let the water drip out, then gently blow your nose. You will probably need to blow it several times in the next few minutes as your sinuses drain. How Often Should I Irrigate? After you do this a while, you'll find what works best for you (and it does vary from one person to the next). Start off irrigating once in the morning and once in the evening. There is no harm in doing it 3 to 4 times a day and it may be useful to do so if you have a lot of drainage. If after a week or so your nose seems much clearer and you are not having much drainage during the day, reduce it to just one irrigation in the morning. You may continue this indefinitely, or you may only irrigate when you feel the congestion or postnasal drip is recurring. Hot Compresses Hot compresses to the sinuses also help as they promote movement of the tiny hairs that line the nasal cavity, cleaning mucus and pus. Simply moisten a facecloth with warm water and lay across forehead (above the eyes) and/or cheekbones for 5 minutes three times a day. Placing a dry facecloth over the heated wet one will help retain heat for the full 5 minutes. (Adapted from Brown University Health Services website) Return to Diseases

Alternatives to Sinus Medication

There is a non-medication alternative to sinus medications. It involves irrigating the sinuses with salt water on a daily basis. This is not just a nasal spray of salt water, but a good irrigation. Studies have shown a decrease in the use of common sinus medications with this technique.

Is there a Way to Prevent Sinusitis?

Nasal irrigation using salt water and a Neti Pot is very helpful in both the prevention and the treatment of sinusitis. A Neti Pot is a small teapot shaped vessel that can be purchased easily on the web.

Why is Nasal Irrigation Helpful?

Irrigating the nose with salt water is useful for cleaning mucous out of the nasal passages and relieving nasal congestion. With proper use of an inexpensive device called a Neti Pot, it is possible to irrigate the sinus cavities. When a strong salt-water solution is used, the sinuses are stimulated to expel mucous that is trapped and stagnating. This results in a "runny nose" that may last for 10 or 15 minutes, after which the sinuses are relatively empty with less material to drain out and cause postnasal drip. In addition, germs tend to breed in this mucous, so the less mucous there is, the less likely it is that you will get a sinus infection. The whole process is simple, comfortable and quick. After you do it once or twice, it should require no more than a few minutes to complete an irrigation from start to finish.

One or 2 minutes a day spent performing nasal irrigation is often more effective than weeks and weeks of antibiotics, decongestants, and cortisone nasal sprays, and has none of the side effects of these medications. Even if you do require medications or surgery, the improved cleanliness of the sinuses makes it more likely that these treatments will be effective.

How Do I Irrigate?

First, it is important not to use common table salt to irrigate the nose on a regular basis, because it contains certain chemicals such as iodine and "anti-clumping" additives that can be harmful if used frequently. You can use Kosher salt (found in most groceries right along with the table salt) or sea salt found in health food stores.

With a measuring spoon, add 1 teaspoon of salt to the Neti Pot and fill it with warm tap water. Stir very thoroughly. The salt water usually doesn't sting but the salt particles will if they are not dissolved well. You can use a little less than a teaspoon at first if it feels more comfortable, but after a few days there should be no discomfort at all and you can mix it a little stronger.

Lean over the sink, tilt your head to one side (it should be almost flat-one ear up and one ear down), and put the spout of the Neti Pot into the upper nostril. Pour the salt water slowly into your nose while you continue breathing through your mouth. The water will flow into the upper nostril, turn the corner at the back of the nose, and trickle back out the lower nostril. When the pot is about half empty, stop, turn your head the other way and repeat the process.

Let the water drip out, then gently blow your nose. You will probably need to blow it several times in the next few minutes as your sinuses drain.

How Often Should I Irrigate?

After you do this a while, you'll find what works best for you (and it does vary from one person to the next). Start off irrigating once in the morning and once in the evening. There is no harm in doing it 3 to 4 times a day and it may be useful to do so if you have a lot of drainage. If after a week or so your nose seems much clearer and you are not having much drainage during the day, reduce it to just one irrigation in the morning. You may continue this indefinitely, or you may only irrigate when you feel the congestion or postnasal drip is recurring.

Hot Compresses

Hot compresses to the sinuses also help as they promote movement of the tiny hairs that line the nasal cavity, cleaning mucus and pus. Simply moisten a facecloth with warm water and lay across forehead (above the eyes) and/or cheekbones for 5 minutes three times a day. Placing a dry facecloth over the heated wet one will help retain heat for the full 5 minutes.

(Adapted from Brown University Health Services website)

Return to Diseases