Sinus irrigation has been around for thousands of years. It is an ancient Ayurdevic purification technique that clears the nasal passages off its debris and restores health to the sinuses.

Uses of Sinus Irrigation

There are plenty of uses for sinus irrigation. As a treatment of sinusitis, medicated sinus irrigation is a good alternative to the usual oral antibiotics therapy or as an adjunctive therapy to surgery and other sinusitis treatments. As a preventive measure against sinus infections, nasal irrigation ensures that the nasal passages have no blockages that can inhibit the proper flow of the mucous on top of preventing the various conditions that could make inflammation of the sinuses likely.

In general, medicated sinus irrigation brings relief to sinusitis symptoms by loosening the mucous and debris trapped in the nasal passages and the sinuses. Without these to inhibit the normal functioning of the upper respiratory system, breathing is easier and symptoms like headache, facial pain and swelling may be resolved.

Making the Water Saline Solution

A quick word on water-saline solution: Questions surrounding the use of water-salt solution often arise among those who are undergoing sinus irrigation for the first time. For the record, the solution has the same concentration as the tears that film the eyes and the tears that flow back and forth within the nasal cavity.

To make the solution, mix 1 cup or 8 ounces of lukewarm water and 1/3 teaspoon of salt (sea salt, kosher, pickling salt or other non-iodinated salt) in a container. Add a pinch of sodium bicarbonate or baking soda as a buffering agent. This adjusts the pH level of the solution to the pH level of your nose without changing the latter. For extra precaution, taste the saline solution and see if it tastes like tears.

Performing Sinus Irrigation

There are many ways to perform sinus irrigation. The same set of methods can be applied to both medicated sinus irrigation solutions and simple saline solutions. The simplest method does not require any tool. With your bare, cupped hands, gently sniff the irrigation solution into one nostril while covering the other nostril. Blow your nose gently and repeat the procedure with your other nostril. You can do the same while using a teaspoon.

If you are using nasal irrigation tools like an ear bulb syringe, eye dropper, nose syringe or neti pot – the small kettle-like pot that is originally used for nasal irrigation – do this procedure:

-        Fill the nasal irrigation tool with half the lukewarm solution.

-        Lean over the sink and pour the solution into one nostril, let it run through your nose and out the other nostril. Along with the solution comes the mucous and debris that have collected in the sinuses.

-        Gently blow your nose then do the same procedure with your other nostril.

Both medicated sinus irrigation and saline irrigation have emerged as one of the most sought-after methods of encouraging the proper flow of mucous in the sinuses and the nasal passages. Anecdotal evidence confirms that continuous nasal irrigation helps a great deal in promoting proper mucous flow. It is important to note, however, that nasal irrigation should not be done several times in a day as doing so could potentially reduce the protective blanket of mucous in your nose.