Recommended inhalers for congestion

I was wondering if anyone could recommend anything useful in terms of inhalers - both the machine and the substances - for use in the case of nasal congestion. Back in the day when I had frequent sinusitis, I used to heat up a pot of water with some salts and oils and cover my head with a towel. I was wondering if modern science has brought us better and more convenient solutions.

McSleepy

In an email that I received today:

http://www.webmd.com/allergies/ss/slide ... QY4YV8I%3d

McSleepy wrote:I was wondering if anyone could recommend anything useful in terms of inhalers - both the machine and the substances - for use in the case of nasal congestion. Back in the day when I had frequent sinusitis, I used to heat up a pot of water with some salts and oils and cover my head with a towel. I was wondering if modern science has brought us better and more convenient solutions.

McSleepy

A netti pot still works great for me.

For nasal congestion there are two OTC corticosteroid nasal sprays of proven effectiveness which can be used indefinitely by adults with minimal risk: Nasacort and Flonase. Avoid taking decongestant nasal sprays like Afrin, which can be used only for short periods and which may cause rebound congestion.

McSleepy wrote:I was wondering if anyone could recommend anything useful in terms of inhalers - both the machine and the substances - for use in the case of nasal congestion. Back in the day when I had frequent sinusitis, I used to heat up a pot of water with some salts and oils and cover my head with a towel. I was wondering if modern science has brought us better and more convenient solutions.

McSleepy

By machine, I'm assuming you mean your CPAP device. My local health store (Sunflower Market) has Eucalyptus Oil. I can put a couple of drops of oil on a cotton ball, then put the cotton ball near the air intake. DO NOT put the oil directly into a humidifier. Also kicking up the humidification level might help. Conversely excessive humidification has also given people congestion!

-Bill

Thank you, all, for the responses. However, I thought I was very specific about what I was looking for: some hot vapors, infused with some natural ingredients and the machine to deliver them. Something along the lines of http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000T ... e=UTF8&me=, but I need someone knowledgeable's actual experience, the reviews on Amazon are quite polarizing and the included Vicks packets are probably not the best. Given that I can adapt some delivery method myself, I was mostly interested in the actual ingredients: what is your secret natural recipe for proven congestion relief?

Other than that, I do what can be done to keep my sinuses free, and I've managed quite well - this is the first time in years I've had anything worth mentioning, and is still nothing bad, compared to what I used to have in my youth. I keep my nasal lining moist by using lubricating Ayr saline sprays during the day, I use NeilMed washes mornings and evenings, I put Ayr saline gel in the nose before going to bed, I keep the humidity at home always at a minimum of 35%, and I'm never exposed to any irritants. I have also tried steroidal sprays (Nasacort) for years and they did nothing for me (and I'm not nearly alone in that), and I don't use any other medications (decongestants, anti-inflammatory) because of their side effects. But I'd like to try something natural that has a chance to work, which is why I was hoping to hear some of your success stories in that department.

McSleepy