Rhino rinse ? for Snoredog

[DreamStalker]

Snoredog -

I'm very interested in becoming proactive about mitigating nasal congestion with the flu/cold season about to start. However, I have a dumb question.

Once you squirt/inject the saline solution up your nose ... what do you do then? ... do you snort it? ... let it run back out? ... 4 ounces per nostril sounds like a lot fluid and also painful.

Do you recomend the aspirator over a neti pot?

I never done this before nor have I ever seen it done.

Thanks,

- roberto

[Jere]

If you keep your head tilted, the saline rinse will go in the higher nostril and out the lower. It takes a try or two, but it is easy.

I use straight saline solution (quart boiled water and 2 tsps of salt) that I run through a regular waterpik equiped with a special nasal tip. Bought the tip on the internet some years ago. Since using the sinus rinse, I have cut back the number of sinus infections by about two-thirds.

Good luck!

[NyNurse33]

I have heard about having to tilt your head a certain way so that the solution goes in one nare and comes out the other. Seems difficult, like some would go down your throat. I know your supposed to breathe while doing this.

[elliejose]

Keeping your head to the side but your chin tucked toward your chest usually keeps the solution from running back down the throat -- kinda closes it off. Not a real comfy position for too long at the time. But does the trick to rinse the nasal passages. Also, while leaning over the sink or commode of course!! Sometimes I need to stop to rest my neck. It is really worth the effort for me.

[Linda3032]

I sometimes use a kit called, NeilMed Sinus Rinse. It comes with a little bottle that you gently squeeze into your nostril. It comes with premixed and premeasured packets and complete instructions. Kinda nice if you are just starting out and just want to try it. If you like it, you can buy just the packets, or start making your own solution.

If you lean over a sink, bend down (like you are brushing your teeth), breath through your mouth (no snorting Roberto), and gently squeeze the bottle, the solution goes in one nostril and comes out the other.

If it appears to work for you, then you can read "deeper cleansing methods" on this forum. But to me, deeper cleansing would also mean it goes into my ear canals and that's a no-no.

[SelfSeeker]

Very informative and very gross LOL

[bairdbeth]

I started using the Neilmed Sinus Rinse about 2 weeks ago in order to see if I can get ready for CPAP without a stuffy nose. I was starting a cold and it really helped keep the nasal congestion down! It did feel weird at first, not painful, just weird. I use it every night and have had clearer sinuses.

[DreamStalker]

Thanks for all of the gross info ... just kidding

Many thanks to all who replied ... I will attempt to devirginize my sinuses with the rhino rinse sometime this week.

I'll post all of the yucky details complete with video clips for everyone here later ... just kidding again

... but if I do have troubles I may come back for more advice.

- roberto

[birdshell]

Here are some more threads on the subject:

Link to Sinus Congestion Thread


Link to Sinus Congestion Thread II


Link to Thread on Meds in Heated Humidifier

Best wishes.

_________________

CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): humidifier

[hornplayer]

I use a Neti (8oz) with 1/2 tsp sterile sea salt about 1X/week.
I lean over and pour it in the upper nostril - gravity does the rest.
I've found this works well in the shower - keeps my shirt dry.

[Snoredog]

I hold my head over the sink, it runs out the opposite nare into the sink. I tilt my head back so solution can get deep into the sinuses.

http://allergies.about.com/cs/treatment/a/aa040802a.htm

http://allergies.about.com/cs/treatment ... re1203.htm

and if you need a Neti Pot:

http://www.bytheplanet.com/Products/Yog ... atalog.htm

Check out the gal in the last link, you can see it in action.

I should mention, I use the rubber baby ear aspirator it is easy to control the pressure of the spray into the nares. But the down side of that rubber aspirator is it is difficult to clean and can easily develope mold inside as it is nearly impossible to completely dry it out. I actually make a bleach solution in the sink and suck it up several times and let it even soak in it for 30 minutes.

The ceramic neti pots are nice because they are much easier to clean, easy to dry out and you can even put them in the dishwasher if you want.

[birdshell]

Y'know, none of this seems gross to a former teacher of ~400 kindergarteners per year. (Yes, that's right, I could barely go to the grocery store. However, I got at least 50 hugs a day!)

About 2 years before I left them, we had a bumper crop of gross. If you would like more specific information on what WAS so gross, please feel free to PM me! We will just spare the faint-of-heart the details.

[TheWife]

I've used both the neti pot and the SinusRinse. You can get more volume with a neti pot, and it works with a slightly different action. It has a long spout so you get more pressure. Like with the SinusRinse the water goes in one nostril and comes out through the other. You can also "snork" as you're doing it to get to the deeper sinuses, and then spit it out. Man, the stuff that came out...I got mine from a mailorder company here in British Columbia.

I now use the SinusRinse. I mix half and half sea salt and bentonite clay and use 1/4 tsp per bottle (I haven't done it yet this season, so I may be mis-remembering the quantities), half up each nostril. Having it go to the back of the throat isn't so bad, you just cough it out. As you squeeze, it goes into one nostril, and comes out the other, you bend over the sink as you do this. There are directions in the package. At one time I mixed half salt half baking soda, but I think it's better to have something acidic. Sometimes I add apple cider vinegar to the rinse, other times a few drops of iodine, but I always have salt, or it could be very painful. I like it better because for me it seems to get higher into my nasal passages whereas the neti pot can't seem to get as high.

When you're done, with either, you just gently blow your nose to clear it out. You're supposed to stay upright (i.e. don't go to bed) for about half an hour to allow everything to settle.

Probably WAYYY more detail than you wanted, but I had thought I'd like to share this with people as the cold and flu season approaches and school is back in session and Roberto beat me to the punch.

SinusRinse is cheaper and more readily available (it's about $5.00 for just the bottle) versus a neti pot, which is usually around $20, though I bought a great, larger volume plastic one for $25 including S&H. I ended up giving my neti pot away and am doing just fine with the SinusRinse, which is probably a good way to start.

[Missy]

Roberto-I use my netti pot morning and night. The only way I can describe the position of your head as you lean over the sink is: Netti pot in right nostril, position left ear as if you would empty IT into the sink. Does that make sense to you? I have found this invaluable to keeping my allergies under control, and I have recently suffered from a head cold and found it useful for that also. Hope this helps! Good luck!

Dawn

[roster]

http://www.sinucleanse.com/.

This is the best system. Opt for the neti pot. I believe the system, including the premeasured salt packets, is about $14 at Walgreen's and there is a $2 coupon on sinucleanse.com. The web site has a video demonstration of how to use the system.

I would stay away from anything, including squirt bottles, that applies pressure into the nose. The neti pot is an exception. The pressure is a steady gentle pressure of gravity as the water is poured into the nostrils.