Spring Allergy season is here, and so are the associated headaches,
itchy eyes and runny noses. Did you know
that sinus pain can manifest as upper tooth pain? Did you know that Sinus pain can increase the
severity of a TMJ headache that is caused by clenching and grinding of your
teeth?
One simple, over-the-counter method for managing sinus pain
is sinus rinsing. This is a volume rinse
of warm sterile saline which decreases the volume of irritants (and allergens)
in the nose and sinuses, decreases the inflammation of the mucous membranes which
line this respiratory region, and decreases the accumulation of mucus. Sinus
rinsing can be performed daily, does not interact with any medications, and
will clear the way for topical medications (like nasal steroids) to reach the
inflamed surface.
The old fashioned method of sinus rinsing is with a Neti
Pot, but this delivery method requires an abnormal tipping of the head which
can irritate neck and jaw musculature.
The newer method, made by NeilMed, is a plastic bottle delivery system
with a cone shaped cover which extends to a straw that inserts in the
bottle. Warm pre-boiled water is placed
in the bottle up to the dotted line (8 ounces) and a buffered salt packet is
added. To rinse, lean forward over the
sink, place the dome shaped cap in one nostril, and squeeze gently. The water will go up one nostril, and if the
path is clear, will descend the opposite nostril. If the path is not clear, simply remove the
bottle and let the saline drip out. Blow
your nose to remove the loosened mucus and rinse again until 4 ounces have been
used for each side of your nose. (Do not squeeze the bottle hard. It will cause
the salty water to go down your throat.)
It takes time for water to boil and cool to the correct
temperature, so I have come up with a short cut. I keep a tempered glass bottle (from marinara
sauce) by my stove. Every time I have
boiled water for another use (like tea or coffee) I save the extra in this
jar. This way I have a store of room
temperature pre-boiled water. When I am
ready to rinse my nose I put only 3 ounces of water up to boil. While it is
cooking I get my NeilMed bottle and salt packet from the cabinet, pour 5 to 6
ounces of pre-boiled water into the bottle, and add the salt packet. By then the new water has come to a boil, and
I add the hot water until I reach the 8 ounce line. I shake the contents, and check the
temperature on my wrist before rinsing so that I know the saline will not be
hot enough to burn before using it to rinse my nose. I sinus rinse when coming in from time
outdoors during seasonal allergy seasons, and after being in an area which is
too fragranced (air fresheners and perfume) or too smoky (from smokers or
fireplaces.) I also wash my face and hands, and if possible, shower and change
into clothes that do not also smell from the allergen environment. In this way I am not re-breathing the same
irritants all night long. In addition to decreasing headache pain, sinus pressure
and nasal stuffiness, post nasal drip and nasal congestion. Keeping the time of
the allergen exposure short also decreases the severity of other allergy issues
like asthma.
http://shop.neilmed.com/Products/Sinus-Rinse/Sinus-Rinse-Regular-Kit
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