The use of a neti pot to clear sinuses has received a lot of press, from appearing on an episode of Oprah in 2007 to being spoofed in YouTube videos. Many people still aren't sure what exactly a neti pot is, or whether it might help them ease nasal congestion or a runny nose.
Sinus Infections
Sinus infections occur when something irritates the passageways in the back of the nose, causing inflammation and pain. According to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, this can occur as the result of bacterial or viral infection, allergens that enter through the nose or chemicals that irritate the lining of the sinuses. One method of treating a sinus infection, also known as sinusitis, is to clear the nasal passageways of any offending material by flushing a cleaning solution through the area.
Neti Pots
A neti pot is designed to irrigate the sinuses, thereby clearing out any infectious particles, allergens and mucus that have accumulated there. Stemming from the same Indian traditions as yoga and ayurveda, neti pots look like small flattened teapots. According to the Mayo Clinic, plastic or ceramic neti pots typically cost $20 or less.
Neti Pot Use
To use a net pot, the bowl of the device should first be filled with a warm saline solution. The user tilts his head and pours the solution into one nostril and up into the sinuses, where it moves across the nasal cavity to exit out the other nostril or out of the mouth, taking contaminants along with it. Over-the-counter saline solutions are also available for use in the neti pot for individuals who don't want to make their own solution.
Controversy
According to the ABC News article "Neti Pot Once a Day Can Cause Infections," at least one scientific study has found a connection between daily neti pot use and an increase in sinus infections. However, this correlation has not been seen with occasional or infrequent neti pot use, so using one only when needed may be an acceptable solution for some people.
Alternatives
For people who don't want to use a neti pot, there may be other ways to get similar benefits. Over the counter nasal saline sprays and bulbs that can be used to spray a saline solution into the nostrils offer an alternative to neti pot use. For serious cases of sinusitis or those that don't respond to neti pot use after a few days, antibiotics or oral steroids may be an option. Some people also use over-the-counter nasal decongestant medications to relieve the symptoms of a sinus infection.
