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It starts with a slight scratching at the back of your throat.
Then, a sneeze.
Then cough, sniff and be all over. CrowdA few unbearable days, with or without fever.
Viral upper respiratory tract infections – also called common Cold – Suffer everyone, usually three times per year, for an average of nine days.
cold does not react antibioticsAnd most over-the-counter medications give the best results.
In recent years, research has emerged demonstrating the effectiveness of the ancient practice of nasal saline irrigation in fighting the common cold in both adults and children.
Nasal saline irrigation not only reduces the duration of DiseaseIt also reduces viral transmission to other people, reducing the need for antibiotics and may reduce the patient’s risk of hospitalization. Even better, it doesn’t cost much money and doesn’t require a doctor’s prescription.
I am both an adjunct assistant professor of medicine and a practicing physician. As a family doctor, I see the common cold every day. My patients are usually skeptical when I first recommend nasal saline irrigation. However, they come back again and again to tell me that this practice has changed their lives. Not only does it help with upper respiratory viruses, but it also helps manage allergies, chronic congestion, post-nasal drip, and frequent sinus infections.
What is nasal saline irrigation?
Nasal saline irrigation is a process by which the nasal cavity is bathed with a salt water solution. In some studies, this is accomplished using a pump-action spray bottle.
In others, participants used a traditional neti pot, a vessel resembling a teapot.
This practice of nasal irrigation originated in the Ayurvedic tradition, an alternative medicine system from India dating back more than 5,000 years.
The neti pot can be traced back to the 15th century. It sparked mainstream interest in the US after Dr. Oz demonstrated it in 2012 oprah winfrey showBut it is not the only device that has historically been employed for such purposes, Ancient Greek and Roman physicians had their own nasal lavage devices, Such practices were also discussed in medical journals The Lancet More than a century ago, in 1902.
How does nasal saline irrigation work?
There are some major benefits of nasal saline. First, it physically expels debris from the nasal passages. This includes not only the mucus and scabs, but also the virus itself as well as allergens and other environmental contaminants.
Second, salt water is slightly lower on the pH scale than fresh water. Its acidity creates an environment that is unsuitable for viruses and makes it difficult for them to replicate.
Third, nasal saline helps restore the functions of part of our natural defense system, which is made up of microscopic, hair-like projections called cilia that line the surface of the nasal passages. These cilia work in a coordinated manner to act like an escalator, moving viruses and other foreign particles out of the body. Nasal saline irrigation helps keep this system running effectively.
About the author
Mary J. Skorbotakos is an adjunct assistant professor of family and community medicine at Old Dominion University, Macon, and the Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences.
This article was first published Conversation And is republished under a Creative Commons license. read the original article,
what the research shows
A study of more than 11,000 people was published in The Lancet demonstrated in 2024 that nasal saline irrigation, started at the first sign of symptoms and done up to six times per day, reduced the duration of symptomatic illness by about two days. Meanwhile, smaller studies have shown that the duration of illness may be as short as four days.
Research has also shown that saline irrigation of the nose can help prevent the spread of the disease. A study on hospitalized patients showed that after detection of COVID-19 through nasal swab, nasal saline irrigation every four hours over a 16-hour period reduced the COVID-19 viral load by 8.9 percent. Meanwhile, the viral load in the control group continued to increase during that period.
The benefits of nasal saline extend beyond acute infectious diseases. When performed regularly by patients with allergic rhinitis, also known as hay fever, a meta-analysis of 10 randomized controlled trials showed that nasal saline irrigation could reduce the use of allergy medications by 62 percent. It is also effective for chronic congestion, post-nasal drip, and frequent sinus infections.
why it matters
In addition to helping patients feel better faster, one of the most valuable benefits of nasal saline irrigation is that its use can help reduce unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions, which are a major contributor to antibiotic resistance.
It is well established that antibiotics do not shorten the duration or reduce the severity of respiratory tract infections. Despite this, studies have shown that patients are happier when they leave the doctor’s office with an antibiotic prescription in hand.
This is probably why 10 million inappropriate antibiotic prescriptions are given for viral respiratory tract infections every year. In a study of more than 49,000 patients suffering from respiratory infections, 42.4 percent of patients were prescribed antibiotics unnecessarily.
One reason patients with upper respiratory viral infections initially feel better with antibiotics is their off-target, anti-inflammatory properties. However, this benefit may be better achieved with anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen or naproxen, which can be taken along with nasal saline irrigation.
Overall, nasal saline irrigation is an inexpensive, effective, evidence-based option that will not only shorten the duration of the disease but also prevent its spread, reduce the need for unnecessary antibiotics, and keep people out of the hospital.
how to do it
For those who want to try it, you don’t need anything fancy. Even a neti pot is not necessary. Many pharmacies sell saltwater in a container with a nozzle and even sell spray bottles that can be refilled with homemade saltwater solution.
You will add about half a teaspoon of non-iodized salt to 1 cup of water. It is important for your safety that the water be either distilled water or boiled for at least five minutes and then cooled to destroy any harmful bacteria. You can also add a pinch of baking soda to reduce any potential sting.
Note that saline solutions are not very effective. However, some studies have shown that natural seawater may provide even greater benefits due to the added minerals it contains, such as magnesium, potassium and calcium. Salt water solutions can also be purchased commercially, which may be worth a try for people who have an inadequate response to salt water alone.
You may use nasal saline irrigation after possible exposure to an infectious disease. For best results, you will want to begin irrigation of the nasal passages at the first sign of infection. You may rinse as frequently as needed throughout the day during the duration of the illness. At a minimum, you will want to irrigate the nasal passages every morning and evening. You may also consider gargling with salt water as adjunctive therapy.