decongests the nose and improves air flow. Not only does this make breathing easier, but it helps open the sinus passages. Studies show that this mixture of concentrated salt water and baking soda (bicarbonate) helps the nose work better and moves mucus out of the nose faster.
This product is used to treat dryness inside the nose (nasal passages). It helps add moisture inside the nose to dissolve and soften thick or crusty mucus. In babies and young children with stuffy noses who cannot blow their noses, using this product helps to make the mucus easier to remove with a nasal bulb syringe.
Some people prefer to add 1 level teaspoon of baking soda (pure bicarbonate) to the solution to make it less irritating. This is optional. If you have to use tap water, please follow the following directions: Bring 1 quart of tap water to a rolling boil and pour into a clean jar once it cools.
For a safe sinus rinse, use one of the following: Boiled tap water, which is boiled for up to five minutes, cooled to room temperature and then used within 24 hours. Distilled or sterile water, which can be bought in stores. Filtered water that has passed through a filter meant to trap infectious organisms.
Sinus rinsing can remove dust, pollen and other debris, as well as help to loosen thick mucus. It can also help relieve nasal symptoms of sinus infections, allergies, colds and flu. Plain water can irritate your nose.
Conclusion: Despite standardized instructions for the preparation of saline irrigation solutions, many patients use untreated tap water. The extremely rare, but typically fatal, risk of meningoencephalitis from Naegleria fowlerii makes this a potential health hazard.
Over the counter medications are available, but what you have in your own home can also help alleviate sinus infection symptoms. One particularly useful remedy is a saline solution, which is nothing more than salt, baking soda, and bottled water that has been distilled or sterilized.
Dentists commonly recommend patients use a salt water rinse after having wisdom teeth removed or other oral surgery. Baking soda is another ingredient often used in mouth rinses. Like salt, it can kill bacteria in the mouth; it also reduces acidity that can irritate teeth and gums.
The Benefits of Baking Soda on Oral Health
It's low-abrasive and safe for daily use. Effectively combats bacteria. Minimizes the acidity of plaque. Aids in the prevention of gingivitis.
Saline Rinse Recipe
In a clean container, mix 3 teaspoons of iodide-free salt with 1 teaspoon of baking soda and store in a small airtight container. Add 1 teaspoon of the mixture to 8 ounces (1 cup) of lukewarm distilled or boiled water.
Rinsing your nasal passages with only plain water without this mixture will result in a severe burning sensation as plain water is not good for your nasal lining. Plain water also can cause your tissue to swell, giving the feeling of more congestion.
Side effects usually do not occur with use of this product. However, if the inside of your nose is very dry and irritated, stinging may occur. If this effect lasts or gets worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
Sodium bicarbonate or sodium chloride when used as a nasal douche, temporarily clears your blocked nasal passages caused by sinusitis, allergies, rhinitis, congestion and post-nasal drip. They can also be used as a pre- treatment for nasal steroid sprays to allow better penetration of the steroid sprays.
If you feel that you are blocked up but are not really producing mucus, then this is more indicative of a physical abnormality, such as nasal polyps or a deviated septum. It is quite common for people to complain of having a blocked nose on one side.
Louis. For people with chronic sinus inflammation, Dr. Patel recommends rinsing twice per day — morning and evening.
Take oil of oregano: This essential oil has natural antibacterial and antifungal properties that can help fight off sinus infections. Place a few drops under your tongue twice daily or add oregano oil to a bowl of recently boiled water to enhance your steam inhalation treatment.
ACV aids in balancing the pH and clears out the excess mucus that has built up in the cavities. Furthermore, antibacterial and antifungal properties of ACV assist in battling the infection. Take 2 teaspoons of ACV with ¼ cup of water you can either drink or swill this water for better relief from sinusitis.
To make your water safe for sinus rinsing and ritual nasal rinsing, it is safest to use boiled, sterile, or filtered water. If that is not possible, disinfect the water using chlorine; the cloudiness of the water can affect the ability to disinfect the water.