A Note About Neti Pots

If you read my last post, you might be wondering what a neti pot is. A neti pot is a small vessel that looks a bit like a teapot. Here's a picture of one style:

The neti pot is used for nasal irrigation. That is, you fill it with warm salt water made using non-iodized salt, then pour the water into one nostril. If done correctly, the water will then flow gently out the other nostril, flushing out your sinuses.

I started using a neti pot last spring, in an effort to manage some of my allergy-induced sinus problems. I was experiencing pressure and pain in my ears and sinuses on a regular basis, along with chronic congestion, and didn't want to rely on medications to manage the problem, particularly while pregnant. My doctor had been encouraging me to do some form of nasal irrigation for years, and I would do it occasionally, using a bulb syringe, but had trouble sticking with it. Switching to the neti pot made all the difference. Rather than using the syringe to squirt a blast of salt water into my nose, the net pot allowed the water to flow in gently.

Using the neti pot has made a world of difference for me. My allergy symptoms have been greatly reduced since I began using the pot, and I have had fewer sinus infections than usual. I know that some of you are thinking that there is no way you'd want to make a habit of pouring water in your nose, and that it sounds very unpleasant. I was skeptical myself. However, I've found the process to be almost pleasant. Once you get the technique down (correct water temp, head angle, etc), it actually feels good, soothing and cleansing at the same time. The salt water washes away debris and mucous, as well as soothing irritated sinus tissue.

Now that I'm sick, I love my neti pot more than ever. Using it has soothed my inflamed sinuses and helped with the congestion. The only frustrating thing has been the fact that I have to wait for windows of time when I can breath through both nostrils to use it--if you're plugged up, the water can't flow through.

Crazy though the process sounds, I really do think it can make a difference for people who suffer from chronic sinus/allergy problems and would really encourage you to give it a shot. If you're interested in learning more, here are a couple of links to info/articles to check out:

http://www.webmd.com/allergies/sinus-pain-pressure-9/neti-pots

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/03/fashion/03skin.html

http://www.himalayaninstitute.org/NetiPot/NetiPotInstructions.aspx