The benefits of hypertonic saline
irrigation are three-fold:
- It works as a solvent. It cleans mucus, crust
and other debris from the nasal passages.
- It decongests the nose. Because of the high salt
concentration, fluid is pulled out of the nasal membranes
which shrinks these membranes and improves nasal
airflow opening the sinus passages.
- It improves nasal drainage. Studies have shown
that hypertonic saline cleansing of the nasal membranes
improves ciliary beating so that normal mucus is
transported better from the sinuses through the nose
into the throat.
Recipie for Hypertonic Saline
(salt water) for home use:
1 liter (quart) of warm water
(distilled is preferred).
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2-3 heaping teaspoons of
salt (NOT table salt as it contains a large number
of additives including iodine preservatives and
sugar).
Use: KOSHER salt,
which can be found in most grocery
stores, or CANNING, PICKLING, or a "SEA
SALT" as these have fewer additives
|
1 teaspoon Arm & Hammer
baking soda (pure bicarbonate).
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EXTRA NEEDS TO BE
REFRIGERATED. |
The nose should be irrigated two to three times per day with a bulb syringe,
large medical syringe, or Waterpick with nasal irrigator (the nasal irrigator
tip for Waterpik's are available in most pharmacies). Stand over a sink and
squirt one syringeful of the salt water into each notstril in such a fashion
that you are able to spit some of the solution out of your mouth. The majority
of the sailne runs out the opposite nostril. Aim the stream of the saline
as though you were trying to squirt to the back of your head, NOT the top
of your head.
The Hypertonic saline can also be used
as a spray. To accompish this, take any empty nasal spray
bottle, (Vancenase, Beconase, Pediatric Afrin, Salinex,
Ocean Nasal Spray, etc.), remove the top and fill with
teh Hypertonic saline. This spray can be used three or
more times per day. There is no limit to the number of
times the Hypertonic saline can be used as a spray.
General Recommendation: Two
sprays each nostril three times a day.
