Together with the polluted air, we inhale various polluted microparticles that settle on the nasal mucosa. If you do not cleanse the mucous membrane, then microbes accumulate on it over time, mucus thickens, immune cells decrease their activity, as a result, the work of the nasopharynx significantly deteriorates. This environment is very fond of pathogenic microorganisms. Therefore, cleansing the nasopharynx is useful for everyone: children and adults, healthy and sick, newborns and pregnant women. And not only for medicinal purposes, but also for hygienic purposes.
When should you rinse?
It is generally accepted that rinsing the nasopharynx is performed as an addition to traditional treatment. But in some cases, this procedure is required. For example, in case of inflammation of the maxillary sinuses, the so-called "cuckoo" is carried out, which is included in the treatment regimen for sinusitis.
Nasal "shower" significantly eases the condition of rhinitis (allergic, vasomotor, atrophic, hypertrophic), laryngitis, pharyngitis, sinusitis, adenoids in children, frontal sinusitis, allergic reactions, flu. Salt water is used for the prevention of colds, for hygienic purposes.
For yogis and Muslims, cleansing the nasopharynx with salt water is the same routine and necessary procedure as brushing our teeth in the morning or washing our hands before eating. It is in vain that Europeans have abandoned such necessary daily manipulation. The nasopharynx is designed so that the air passing through it makes a rather difficult path. Until the air reaches the lungs and bronchi, it has time to heat up, humidify, cleanse itself of pathogens, dust, allergens. This is facilitated by the bristly hairs and mucus that are found on the nasal mucosa.
Rinsing the sinuses just helps the mucous membrane to fight all irritants. If this is not done, then over time not only microbes accumulate in the mucus, but also their decay products in the form of toxic substances. In the end, the moment comes when the nasopharynx can no longer perform its functions normally and ceases to protect us from viruses and bacteria. That's when a person develops a cold. That is why it is important to know how to rinse your nose with saline.
We can say that washing the sinuses with salt water as a preventive measure is much more important and effective than performing this procedure for medicinal purposes.
Action
- prevention of allergies, infectious diseases of the upper respiratory tract;
- facilitating nasal breathing, improving the functioning of immune cells;
- decrease in swelling of the mucous membrane;
- strengthening of microvessels;
strengthening the therapeutic effect of nasal sprays, ointments, drops;- reduction of hoarseness and morning cough;
- improving hearing;
- quick healing effect;
- non-invasive method; safety and easy portability;
- minimum side effects.
strengthening the therapeutic effect of nasal sprays, ointments, drops;When shouldn't rinsing be done?
This procedure is absolutely contraindicated in case of complete obstruction of the nasal passages, with acute otitis media, since the solution can enter the diseased ear through the auditory tube and cause severe complications in malignant tumors of the nasopharynx. Care should be taken to irrigate with a tendency to nosebleeds, with chronic otitis media in remission, curvature of the nasal septum, nasal polyps or other benign formations. In all these cases, it is imperative to consult with an ENT doctor.
How to prepare homemade saline solution?
Sodium chloride solution for infusion 0.9% is sold in the pharmacy, it is already sterile. But for the correct and safe use of vials and ampoules in which the medicine is packaged, professional skills are needed. Indeed, if the ampoule is carelessly opened, glass chips can get into the vessel. This is very dangerous especially for young children.
It is much easier and cheaper to make a remedy at home: you just need to strictly adhere to the instructions. Boil a glass of water, cool it to 34-37 degrees. Pour this water into a thoroughly washed dish and add 2-3 grams of table salt (slightly less than half a teaspoon). Or take 9 grams of salt per liter of water (a teaspoon with a small "slide"). Such proportions make it possible to obtain 0.9% isotonic solution.
For adults, you can drop one or two drops of iodine and baking soda into the finished composition at the tip of a teaspoon. Stir all ingredients until completely dissolved. It is necessary that there are no undissolved particles in the medicinal product. Therefore, all excess must be filtered through cheesecloth.
Since young children have too sensitive mucous membranes, it is better not to add aggressive components (iodine, soda) for them so as not to cause harm.
You can not take water hot or colder than it should be. Cold water irritates the mucous membranes, hot water burns. Just warm tap water is also not good. It must be cleaned of germs by boiling.
Correct rinsing technology
How to rinse your nose with saline at home?
Rinsing with various devices
- the pharmacy sells convenient special watering cans, each with its own characteristics. Dolphin is a plastic bottle with a straw and a dispensing cap. Collect the saline solution of the required temperature into the device. Insert the tube into the nasal passage so that the lid fits snugly against the nose. Gently press on the bottle, the liquid will pour into one nostril, pour out from the other. In this case, the head is tilted down. Spend half a bottle for each bosom. Blow your nose after the procedure. The device can be used for children over 4 years old;
- Aquamaris is a watering can, with the help of which irrigation is carried out in the same way as Dolphin;
The olive is a rounded tip that can be attached to a watering can, rubber pear, or Esmarch mug. The last two devices use a rubber hose as an adapter. Attach an olive to a hose or teapot, draw salt water into the device, insert the olive into the nasal passage so that it “sits down” tightly. Tilt your head down, lift a mug or pear up so that it is higher than your head. Perform the procedure for 3-4 minutes for one nostril, then for the other. For this method, you need an assistant who will hold the mug over your head. Blow your nose after the procedure;- Rinsing can be done using a conventional syringe. Draw water into a syringe (10-20 cubic meters), tilt your head to the side, pour the medicine into the upper nostril. In this case, the liquid will flow out from the bottom. Do the same with the second nasal passage.
The olive is a rounded tip that can be attached to a watering can, rubber pear, or Esmarch mug. The last two devices use a rubber hose as an adapter. Attach an olive to a hose or teapot, draw salt water into the device, insert the olive into the nasal passage so that it “sits down” tightly. Tilt your head down, lift a mug or pear up so that it is higher than your head. Perform the procedure for 3-4 minutes for one nostril, then for the other. For this method, you need an assistant who will hold the mug over your head. Blow your nose after the procedure;The type of device is irrelevant and by itself does not affect the healing process in any way. The main thing is that the device is comfortable, and its tip easily passes into the nasal passage.
How to rinse a nose with saline for an adult without devices
- many people cannot stand it when something needs to be inserted into the nose, even for medicinal purposes. In this case, simply pour the product into a clean palm, lean over the sink. Close one nostril and draw in liquid with the other. Empty the liquid through your mouth. Do the same with the other nostril;
- you can pour saline into a saucer and draw it in with two nostrils at once, releasing the medicine through your mouth;
- For some people, sniffing water through their nose can be difficult. Such patients simply need to drip salt water into both passages and blow their nose after 30 seconds.
How to rinse the nose with sodium chloride for children?
Not at all like adults due to underdeveloped airway valves. Use a pipette to drip the nose onto the child's back. Remove the liquid with soft cotton buds. 
Plant one-year-old children after instillation so that the liquid flows freely.
How often can you rinse your nose with saline? It depends on what the procedure is for. For therapeutic purposes, caress the sinuses 3-4 times a day until complete recovery. For preventive purposes - once a week, for hygienic purposes - every morning on an empty stomach.
Regular rinsing of the nasal passages with saline helps to avoid colds in most cases. If you've already caught a cold, then don't ignore this unique remedy. With its help, the healing process will be much easier and faster.
