Sinus Irrigation Procedures

Sinus irrigation is the process of irrigating the nose with water in order to flush out irritants and thickened mucus. It is a process that is also called nasal lavage. Sinus irrigation is appropriate for both children and adults. The water that is used in sinus irrigation can be a prepared saline solution, or the saline solution can be home made. A saline solution is made by adding salt to water and is used because it more closely mimics the saltiness of normal body fluids than drinking water.

Commercial Procedures

According to the Otolaryngology Division at the University of California, San Diego, there are two main types of commercially available systems for nasal irrigation. These are manufactured by Hydromed and Ethicare. The Ethicare system is designed to be attached to a Teledyne Water Pik. In both of these systems, the product is filled with water. The best temperature for the water is body temperature, although some people prefer cooler or warmer water. The irrigator is placed in one nostril of the nose and water is propelled through the commercial device. Water flows out of the other nostril or the mouth. Some water may flow out of the same nostril in which the device is placed. The irrigator is tilted and twisted during this procedure to ensure all portions of the nasal cavity receive irrigation. This process is repeated with the other nostril.

Bulb Procedure

Nasal irrigation can also be performed with simple products that include a syringe bulb. A saline solution is prepared by mixing a quarter teaspoon of salt with two cups of water. The Mayo Clinic suggests using warm water. Once the syringe bulb is filled with water, it is inserted into one nostril and squeezed while leaning forward with the head over a sink. This can be repeated until the irritants and thickened mucus is flushed, and then the other nostril is irrigated with the same procedure.

Neti Pot

A neti pot is used with the same saline solution as the bulb procedure. With the procedure that uses a neti pot, the saline solution is poured into the pot. With the head over a sink, the spout of the neti pot is inserted into one nostril and angled so that water pours out of the spout, into the nostril and irrigating the sinuses. This procedure is repeated with the other nostril.