Nasal and sinus irrigation (jala neti) is easier and arguably as important for some people as brushing teeth. Jala neti is used to treat and manage:
- allergy - managing allergen load
- post-nasal drip due to chronic sinusitis or as a result of upper respiratory tract infection
- industrial and recreational particulate exposure - including passive smoking, mountain biking or simply mowing the lawn
- sinusitis/rhinitis/nasal polyps
- air-borne infections
- sleep apnea, snoring and CPAP-related side-effects
- jaw and masticatory muscle pain - a common sign of mouth breathing which is often associated with fatigue
- recurrent upper respiratory tract infection.
These neti pots are well made and designed and are easy to use. After this intense winter of flu and colds open your airways in anticipation of big spring pollen counts. Pots are now for sale through the practice for $30.
quick and dirty user's guide
Fill calibrated spoon with fine sea salt to upper mark and bicarbonate to lower mark, tip both in pot and dissolve in drinking quality water up to top mark of pot. Solution should be no warmer than body temperature (37 C).
With head tilted and rotated to one side, insert carefully into upper nostril – get a good seal – then tilt pot to pour either the whole or half the pot though one side, then the other. Gently clear (blow) each nostril between sides. Sniffing (mid-stream) and spitting out the mouth further penetrates the sinuses. Water may continue to drain for some time after. Some initial stuffiness after jala-neti is normal.
Prof. Schmidt’s pot is well designed and manufactured compared to other more ‘agricultural’ devices. Pot and spoon are calibrated for ease of use. Bicarbonate and salt are typically used to produce a buffered (pH8) and isotonic (0.9% NaCl) solution. Other concentrations can also be made.