Looking for a good quality Neti Pot....

[volkrt]

Greets All -

Well i am still having issues with clogged ears and sinues and was wondering if someone could recommend a good quality Neti Pot and a detailed technique to make sure I use it properly...Appreciate any information as always..TY

[jnk]

Greets All -

Well i am still having issues with clogged ears and sinues and was wondering if someone could recommend a good quality Neti Pot and a detailed technique to make sure I use it properly...Appreciate any information as always..TY

I would first try a cheap store-branded squeeze bottle from my corner drug store, since my understanding is that the neti pots are mostly for people who find they can't take the pressure from a squeeze bottle:

"The biggest limitation of all Neti Pots is that gravity alone cannot create sufficient pressure to wash away all the undesirable
mucus and nasal irritants. While it may seem to provide some immediate symptomatic relief, long term relief is unlikely
because most of the mucus and associated pathogens remain in place."-- http://www.neilmed.com/pdf/ppnasalirrigation.pdf

The principles explained in the instructions for using this brand's squeeze bottle will work with any brand:

http://www.neilmed.com/usa/sinusrinse_video.php

I found a squeeze bottle with 50 packets really cheap at a local drug store, so I didn't bother going with the Neilmed brand, myself. Others mix their own solution using pure salt and baking soda. This site gives a recipe for that and instructions:

http://altmedicine.about.com/cs/allergi ... gation.htm

Further instructions on another method may be found here:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/nasal-lavage/MM00552

[araminta]

My $13 plastic neti pot works great. I can't imagine better quality from another -- just better looking.
And I keep a blend of kosher salt + baking soda in a container in the bathroom. No need to buy individually wrapped packets.

[Linus]

Try this one. I bought it and I love it. It also comes with a detailed manual. It holds 500 ml instead of the 250 ml plastic one. It is just a few dollars more thant he plastic neti pot as well. I think the extra cost is well worth it.
http://www.healthandyoga.com/html/product/neti.html

[dowen]

I would start with the basic NeilMed kit that jnk provided links to.
You can find those kits in many mainstream drug stores. Have fun.

[sleeplessinaz]

Hello---I bought the AYR GEL squeeze bottle kit that comes with the tiny salt packets that you add to the sqeeze bottle--works perfectly --LOVE IT!!! Very easy to use too --never a problem. Got it a CVS pharmacy.

Carrie

[Linus]

Oh I should mention, pickling salt (Plain salt without any additives and iodine) can be used in lieu of the salt packets.

I use 5g per 100 ml water.

[BlackSpinner]

I mix my own and use a bulb designed to rinse baby ears - $2
My problem is that I end up gagging and throw up. Nothing to do with the presure but with my gag reflex - you only have to point a tongue depressor at me and I gag.
I have never had it come out the other nostril - it goes straight down the back of my throat.

Gross!!!

But it does work when I can get myself to do it.

[Too Lazy to Log In]

I bought a ceramic neti pot from Whole Foods. It works as good any any neti pot you can get. The only thing I'd change is the material it's made of. I'm afraid I will drop it in the shower or on the floor some day. I get nervous when I travel with it in my bag to. If I had platic or metal, that would be better.

[Treesap]

I mix my own and use a bulb designed to rinse baby ears - $2
My problem is that I end up gagging and throw up. Nothing to do with the presure but with my gag reflex - you only have to point a tongue depressor at me and I gag.
I have never had it come out the other nostril - it goes straight down the back of my throat.

Gross!!!

But it does work when I can get myself to do it.

OK. This post forced me to log in and respond.

Black Spinner? Why on earth would you swallow the water? When you rinse your sinuses, the salt water is supposed to come out your other nostril. You need to tilt your head and breath through your mouth so it helps the water run through your sinues and out the other side.

Swallowing salt water would make me gag too.

[volkrt]

Thank you all for the great info....I appreciate it so very much.....great stuff

[fuzzyjon]

I mix my own and use a bulb designed to rinse baby ears - $2
My problem is that I end up gagging and throw up. Nothing to do with the presure but with my gag reflex - you only have to point a tongue depressor at me and I gag.
I have never had it come out the other nostril - it goes straight down the back of my throat.

Gross!!!

But it does work when I can get myself to do it.

OK. This post forced me to log in and respond.

Black Spinner? Why on earth would you swallow the water? When you rinse your sinuses, the salt water is supposed to come out your other nostril. You need to tilt your head and breath through your mouth so it helps the water run through your sinues and out the other side.

Swallowing salt water would make me gag too.

I have been using a neti pot for many more years than I have been on CPAP, so perhaps I can contribute something here. You don't want to swallow the solution, but you do want it to come out of your mouth, so that you are actually getting it all the way into your nasal cavity. In my brief experience using a CPAP, I have found that nasal irrigation really clears up your nasal passages and reduces the feeling of suffocation I sometimes get. Don't do it too close to bedtime though, since it may actually increase congestion for a bit.

This site seems to have some pretty good information on techniques and equipment:

http://www.jalanetipot.com/

I also have a ceramic neti pot from Whole foods, which I like. I have tried some plastic ones, but they seem to have a strange odor / taste.

Jon

[harry33]

I use a china coffee pot with no leakage, the nostril can stretch to accomodate larger sprouts

yes the warm salty water should go in 1 nostril, then thru the sinuses and out the other nostril, messy and best done while having a bath

feels like you are drowning in the ocean until you get used to it

[Juliebove]

I mix my own and use a bulb designed to rinse baby ears - $2
My problem is that I end up gagging and throw up. Nothing to do with the presure but with my gag reflex - you only have to point a tongue depressor at me and I gag.
I have never had it come out the other nostril - it goes straight down the back of my throat.

Gross!!!

But it does work when I can get myself to do it.

OK. This post forced me to log in and respond.

Black Spinner? Why on earth would you swallow the water? When you rinse your sinuses, the salt water is supposed to come out your other nostril. You need to tilt your head and breath through your mouth so it helps the water run through your sinues and out the other side.

Swallowing salt water would make me gag too.

When I was first instructed to clean my sinuses many years ago, the Dr. gave me a device called a nasal douche. It only held a few ounces of water with the salt and baking soda mixed in. It had a small hole to put in your nostril and a larger one that you put your thumb over. You were then to lean over the sink, insert it, and release your thumb, letting the water flow into your nose. Yes, some would come out the other nostril, but invariably it would go down the throat where you were supposed to spit it out. Very gagging, but effective. You had to repeat this procedure many times until the cup of water was used up. i found I often needed to use a second cup.

The other odd thing with this method was that the sinuses seemed to retain water for some time. Up to an hour later, some water would come gushing out.

The device finally got decrepit looking and I bought a Sinucleanse. Oddly it doesn't work the same way and doesn't seem to clean as deeply.

I can't remember the last time I had to use the Sinucleanse. Since I learned of my food allergies and changed my diet, I no longer have a stuffy nose.

[harooki2]

I went from Neti Pot to a much better solution for me on the advice of my ENT. It is NeilMed Sinus Rinse, with the squeeze bottle. Use it twice a day.