Proper Nasal Irrigation is Beneficial for Sinusitis

Almost every sinusitis patient has experienced “nasal irrigation with saline solution.” When it comes to nasal irrigation with saline, many people wonder if frequent nasal rinsing affects the respiratory system or causes any harm. They also want to know the correct way to perform nasal irrigation and whether it truly helps relieve sinus symptoms. Today, let’s clear up these doubts.

What are the benefits of nasal irrigation?

• Helps relieve nasal congestion or irritation, whether from a cold or sinusitis.
• Helps wash away dirt, mucus, and germs from the nose, making the nasal cavity clean and breathing easier.
• Helps remove crusts or hardened mucus from the nasal lining after nasal or sinus surgery.
• Helps reduce the chance of infection spreading from the nose and sinuses to the lungs.
• Helps improve the effectiveness of nasal spray medications.

How to properly perform nasal irrigation?

1. Warm the saline solution in a wide-mouth container, then test to ensure it is neither too hot nor too cold before using it for nasal irrigation.
2. Suck the warmed saline using a red rubber bulb or syringe provided by the doctor. Use 5 cc per time for children and 10-15 cc per time for adults.
3. Lean forward and slightly bend your head, keeping your face above a container to catch the saline solution for disposal.
4. Start rinsing from the side with less congestion by inserting the tip of the rubber bulb or syringe into the nostril. Keep your mouth open, take a deep breath, and hold it.
5. Gently squeeze the rubber bulb or push the syringe plunger to slowly let the saline flow into the nasal cavity.
6. Hold your breath while the saline flows into one nostril and out the other. Once the saline has completely flowed out, breathe normally.
7. Switch to rinse the other nostril.
8. While pushing the saline into the nasal cavity, hold your breath to prevent the saline from flowing down into the larynx or trachea, which could cause choking.
9. After each use, clean the equipment with soapy water and tap water, then air dry.

How many times should you rinse your nose to make it clean?

To rinse out mucus or dirt as much as possible, you should rinse the nasal cavity in all directions—left, right, top, and bottom. Observe the saline flowing out of the nose; when the saline is clear and looks like the water before rinsing, it means the nasal cavity is clean.