Medicines based on sea water are practically harmless, therefore they are widely used in pediatric practice. For the first time, isotonic solutions for cleansing the nasopharynx from mucous secretions began to be used no more than 15 years ago. Saline (saline) was used as a preparation for irrigation (washing) of the nasal cavity. It is a 0.9% sodium chloride aqueous solution, i.e. ordinary table salt.
Today the pharmaceutical industry offers more than 20 different types of drops with sea salt, intended for the treatment of inflammation in the nasal cavity.
About drugs
Saline-based nasal medications are paramedical medications that dilute nasal secretions and normalize their production (synthesis) by the unicellular glands contained in the nasopharynx. Sea water, purified from impurities and sediments, maintains the physiological state of the ciliated epithelium, which covers the inner part of the nasopharynx.
The most popular are the so-called isotonic solutions, which contain no more than 0.9% sodium chloride. The concentration of sodium chloride in them is about the same as in blood plasma. That is why they do not lead to addiction, dehydration of the mucous membrane and impairment of its secretory function.
Ocean or seawater nasal drops are free from colorants and fragrances. Their use rarely leads to allergic reactions. Additionally, the composition of the preparations may include trace elements and minerals that contribute to the restoration of metabolic processes in the nasopharyngeal mucosa.
Saline-based preparations are nasal moisturizers that restore the normal secretory activity of unicellular glands in the mucous membranes of the ENT organs.
Indications for use
Saline solutions are good anticongestants and can help narrow the blood capillaries in the nose. But unlike conventional vasoconstrictor sprays and drops, they do not violate vascular tone. Regular use of medication does not lead to the development of medication-induced rhinitis (runny nose).
Isotonic and hypertonic (sodium chloride level exceeds 0.9%) fluids are used to treat many diseases of the ENT spectrum:
- ARVI;
- hay fever;
- adenoiditis;
- vasomotor rhinitis;
- infectious rhinitis;
- postnasal flow syndrome;
- sinus inflammation (sinusitis).
Isotonic solutions are the safest drugs that are recommended for medicinal, hygienic and prophylactic purposes.
It should be understood that mucosal dehydration or overactive mucus-secreting goblet cells reduce local immunity. This creates suitable conditions for the reproduction of opportunistic microorganisms in the respiratory organs. The seawater contains useful trace elements that help maintain the normal secretory activity of the submucous layer in the nasopharynx. Therefore, it can be used for prophylactic purposes to prevent the development of ENT diseases.
Composition and pharmacological properties
Seawater-based nasal medicines have a rich biochemical composition. The active components of the preparations help to thin mucus, accelerate regeneration processes and strengthen local immunity. Sea water is a unique liquid that contains the following components:
- sodium - maintains water-salt balance, normalizes the production of enzymes and the transport function of membranes;
- magnesium - takes part in many enzymatic reactions, affects the tone of blood vessels and the rate of blood microcirculation in the nasopharynx;
- sulfates - restore interneuronal connections and metabolic processes in the mucous membranes;
- calcium - strengthens the walls of blood vessels and normalizes blood clotting;
- chlorides - maintain osmotic pressure in tissues, thereby preventing stagnation of intercellular fluid in the mucous membranes.
The exact composition of the drug depends on the place of intake of sea or ocean water. The content of biogenic components in the saline solution depends on the time, depth and location of the fluid intake. As a rule, the concentration of additional substances in the liquid on the surface of the seas and oceans is minimal. According to practical results, water taken from the sea at a depth of 1000 meters has the most pronounced therapeutic activity.
A unique set of active ingredients in nasal preparations with sea water provides them with the following medicinal properties:
- liquefaction and removal of mucous and purulent discharge from the nasal canals;
- cleansing the surface of the ciliated epithelium from microbes, allergens, dust and viruses;
- restoration of the secretory activity of exocrinocytes (goblet cells);
- elimination of puffiness and inflammation in the lesions of the mucous membranes;
- increased vascular tone and resistance of the nasopharynx to infections.
The systematic use of nasal agents can accelerate the regression of inflammation and increase local immunity. Therefore, it is recommended to use them for the prevention of diseases during an exacerbation of seasonal respiratory diseases - influenza, rhinorrhea, ARVI, etc.
The best drugs
The pharmacokinetics of isotonic and hypertonic solutions have not been sufficiently studied. But according to practical results, the therapeutic effect of their use occurs within a few minutes after the instillation of the drug. The active components of saline solutions disinfect the mucous membrane, but do not disturb the microflora in the respiratory organs. This makes them qualitatively different from local antibiotics, decongestants and antiseptics.
Humer
"Humer" - salt preparations, which are produced by the "Urgo" company. The nasal medicines include purified Atlantic water from the coast of Brittany. The high concentration of trace elements and nutrients provides the drugs with pronounced anti-inflammatory, wound healing and decongestant properties. Several forms of Humer nasal products are available at the pharmacy:
- "Humer 150 for Children" - is prescribed for therapeutic purposes for the treatment of babies from 2 months of age to adolescence;
- "Humer 050 hypertonic" is a concentrated hypertensive drug that is recommended to be used to liquefy thick nasal mucus in cases of bacterial rhinitis and sinusitis;
- "Humer 150 for adults" - drops that are equipped with a special nozzle adapted to the anatomical features of the structure of the nasal passages in adults;
- Humer Monodose is a weakly concentrated solution that is used to treat infants and adults who are prone to allergic reactions.
Hypertonic solutions are not recommended for the treatment of ENT diseases in children under 3 years of age.
"Aqua Maris"
"Aqua Maris" - the best anti-congestants for children and pregnant women. The drug is produced by the Croatian company "Yandra", whose products please patients with a low price and a wide choice. The following types of drops are produced under this trademark:
- "Aqua Maris Plus" - contains dexpanthenol, which inhibits the secretory activity of the glands that produce too much nasal mucus;
- "Aqua Maris Strong" - hypertonic drops that are used to relieve symptoms
rhinorrhea in pregnant women and babies over 1 year old; - "Aqua Maris Sens" - purified sea water, which contains ectoine, which prevents the penetration of pathogenic agents into the soft tissues.
rhinorrhea in pregnant women and babies over 1 year old;Drops and sprays based on seawater are widely used to treat not only infectious, but also allergic inflammations. Saline solutions help cleanse the nasopharynx of irritating substances (allergens) that provoke soft tissue inflammation.
"Aqualor"
Aqualor is a line of medicines that contain sterile water from the Atlantic. Laboratoires Chemineau products can be used to treat rhinitis, sinusitis, frontal sinusitis, rhinorrhea, chronic and vasomotor rhinitis. Depending on the concentration of salts and the presence of additional components, the following types of nasal drops are distinguished:
- "Aqualor Baby" is a sterile solution for infants, which contains iodine and bromine;
- "Aqualor Norm" - isotonic drops for children from six months and adults suffering from viral rhinitis;
- "Aqualor Soft" - antiallergic solution, which will be included in the treatment of pollinosis and allergic rhinitis in adults and children from 6 months;
- Aqualor Forte is a concentrated solution intended for the treatment of congestion in children over 2 years of age;
- "Aqualor Extra Forte" - drops with a high concentration of sodium chloride, which are used to treat inflammation in the nasopharynx and paranasal sinuses.
The company "Laboratoires Chemineau" specializes in the production of medicines for the treatment of the nose and throat, therefore, when purchasing the product, it is advisable to clarify which part of the respiratory tract you intend to treat.
Other drugs
In addition to the above-described products, you can buy more than 10 types of medicines for the treatment of inflammation in the nasal cavity in the pharmacy. They have a pronounced anti-inflammatory, disinfecting, wound healing and anti-edema effect. Drops based on isotonic and hypertonic solutions are advisable to use in the treatment of colds, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, adenoiditis, etc.
"Marimer" - available in the form of drops and aerosols of 5-10 ml, used to moisturize the nasal cavity and eliminate puffiness;- Otrivin More - hypertonic drops, which additionally contain essential oils;
- "Quicks" is a concentrated salt preparation that is widely used to treat inflammation in the paranasal sinuses;
- Dolphin is a nasal remedy that contains anti-inflammatory components - licorice extract, peppermint, rose hips, etc.
"Marimer" - available in the form of drops and aerosols of 5-10 ml, used to moisturize the nasal cavity and eliminate puffiness;Abuse of hypertonic drops is fraught with dysfunction of the goblet cells and drying out of the nasopharyngeal mucosa.
Before you drip a hypertonic solution into your nose, it is advisable to read the instructions for using the medication. Medicines with a high concentration of salts help dry out the mucous membranes. Irrational use of funds is fraught with disruption of the activity of goblet cells and nosebleeds.
Application features
The choice of one or another nasal drug is determined by the causes and degree of inflammation of the nasopharynx. To moisturize the mucous membrane, it is recommended to use drops with a low concentration of salts. They help restore the activity of the unicellular glands and thereby normalize the production of nasal secretions. With severe nasal congestion, it is more advisable to use hypertonic sprays and drops, which reduce swelling and thin the mucus inside the nasal passages.
When using medicines with sea water, it is advisable to take into account several important rules:
- shake the bottle with sea water before use;
- during the instillation of the solution, it is necessary to tilt the head so that the liquid is absorbed into the nasal mucosa, and does not drain into the laryngopharynx;
- during the period of exacerbation of rhinorrhea (acute rhinitis), drops should be used at least 5-6 times a day;
- 10-15 minutes after instilling the medicine, it is necessary to blow out the mucus accumulated in the nasal passages;
- in the chronic course of the disease, irrigate the nasopharynx with sea water at least 2-3 times a day.
Important! It is not recommended to go outside within 30 minutes after completing the procedure.
Sea water is the safest drug that can be used to treat inflammation in the nasopharynx of any etiology (origin). Isotonic solutions quickly moisturize the mucous membrane and restore metabolic reactions in them, which has a beneficial effect on the state of soft tissues.
Side effects and contraindications
To date, there are no data on cases of overdose with saline nasal agents. The drugs do not in any way affect the speed of reactions and the ability to drive vehicles. Dryness in the nasal cavity, burning is the only side effect that can occur with prolonged use of hypertonic drops.
For the prevention of ENT diseases, doctors recommend using nasal products with a low salt concentration. To thin mucus and reduce swelling in the airways, it is advisable to use hypertonic solutions. They remove an excess amount of intercellular fluid from the tissues, thereby restoring the patency of the nasal canals.
Conclusion
Sea water is a liquid that has decongestant, wound healing, disinfectant and anti-inflammatory properties. Not so long ago, seawater purified from impurities began to be used for therapeutic purposes for the treatment of sinusitis, rhinorrhea, vasomotor and allergic rhinitis. The drugs do not contain synthetic substances, preservatives, flavors and dyes, so they do not cause an allergic reaction.
For the prevention of diseases of the nasopharynx and the treatment of rhinitis in children, it is recommended to use isotonic drugs. They contain 0.9% salt, so they do not lead to dehydration of the mucous membranes.
To thin thick nasal mucus, it is advisable to use drops with a higher concentration of salts (hypertonic), which quickly eliminate swelling and nasal congestion. Among the most effective products based on sea and Atlantic water are Aqua Maris, Morenazal, Otrivin More, Humer, Dolphin, etc.
