Neti Pots

[Jenny Z]

I've had an earache since Friday, and this morning I woke up all sniffly and achey...

A friend recommended a Neti Pot to clear my sinuses. I was skeptical at first, but WOW! My sinuses are cleared, and my ear is even starting to feel a little better... (less pressure, anyway)

But definitely the weirdest feeling I've experienced in a while...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8sDIbRAXlg

[Murph]

Been using one for five years, swear by them.

[sandy_ruotolo]

What is a Neti Pot? Will it clear mucus? I've had a cold since last week, and haven't been able to shake it. Forget the sinus medication, it dries me up to the point where I cant breath.

[Jenny Z]

Originally Posted by sandy_ruotolo

What is a Neti Pot? Will it clear mucus? I've had a cold since last week, and haven't been able to shake it. Forget the sinus medication, it dries me up to the point where I cant breath.

Yes!! Watch the video I linked... I used one this morning and a few minutes ago, and it flushed all the nasties out and I'm breathing clear! They sell them at Walmart, that's where I got mine.

It's a very strange sensation. Just remember to breath through your mouth, not your nose :D

[kula23]

Ok at first you just scared me to watch that video. I though you were kidding but I guess it's real thing? :O

[acymc]

My 6 year old grandson watched me use my neti pot and insisted on trying it himself. Now he wants his mom to buy him one because he has allergies.

[Jenny Z]

I have to wonder who came up with such an idea... I mean, who decided to shove a teapot in their nose for the first time??

[alamoshutterbug]

The first related video that comes up on that page is hilarious.

[Murph]

Remember to use a mild saline solution in it. It works wonders.

[Joe N]

I have never used a Neti pot to cleanse my sinuses but I have used a couple of other methods. A cheap way is to purchase a child's nasal aspirator or a "snot sucker" as we called it when our girls were babies. Fill it with a warm saline solution and gently squeeze it into one nostril then do the same with the other nostril. Repeat as many times as necessary. If you do it properly the solution will go in one nostril and run out of the other nostril.

The best method I have used is a Water-Pic. You can buy a special nasal tip for the Water-Pic. You fill the reservoir with the saline solution and while hanging your head over the sink you place the nasal tip in one nostril and turn the Water-Pic on making sure it is set on the lowest pressure. Let about half the water run through the first nostril then change sides and let the other half of the water run through the other nostril. It will wash out most if not all the mucus and you will be amazed at how much better you feel. I have been using the Water-Pic off and on for almost 30 years now. The first time I used it was after surgery on my sinuses and the doctor recommended the Water-Pic method post surgery.

If you make your own saline solution just follow instructions and don't make it too strong. I did once and not only did it burn like rip it caused my sinuses to swell and I was stopped up worse than before.

[sandy_ruotolo]

Thank you both for the information. I just want this cold to go away.

[Jenny Z]

Originally Posted by sandy_ruotolo

Thank you both for the information. I just want this cold to go away.

If you go with the Neti Pot, let me know how it works... I was sniffly today and it worked fine, but I haven't tried to use it with a full-blown cold.

[chihuahuaphil]

I use a squeeze bottle thing by NeilMed, available at Walgreens. It comes with little single use packets of to make the right strength buffered saline, and you can also get big refill boxes of just the packets. Works great for me when things are too clogged for just a gravity fed Neti pot. As a little bonus it qualifies for FSA reimbursement if you have one of those plans.

[easyrider1]

about 21 years ago a friends wife (phillipino) would go to her doctor with bad allergies or sinus problems and he would use a long stick with cotton on the end (basically a huge q-tip) to shove up into her sinuses and swizzle it around to clear them out. if you are making that "ow! that must really hurt" face while gritting your teeth, you're not alone. no way i'd let some crazy doctor shove a stick up me anywhere, especially my nose! i've had allergy problems since i was a teen (now 53) and i would take allergy tabs like most everyone else to alleviate the symptoms and therein lies the problem. drug companies want you to just cover-up the symptoms with drugs not cure the problem, that's what there in business for. i still take an allergy tablet now and then when i'm away from home and my neti pot if it's absoultely necessary. but the neti pot my wifey got me last x-mas has really done the job. i use it when my allergies or sinuses bother me and especially after mowing the yard (2/12 acres) with no side effects. keep in mind that allergy medication is like any other drug, there just a bunch of chemicals mixed together(can't be good for you). i've also noticed since i started eating healthier years ago and cut out most of the prosessed foods and soda and cheap packaged snacks i feel better, healthier and my allergies don't bother me near as much. we need to learn to take care of ourselves better cause the corporations that make billions of $'s off of us every year are only looking out for their own and their stock holders best interest. anytime you can fix the problem instead of cover the symptom especially with a natural remedy, you'll be better off. i do use the neti pot, but i would also try the water pic or warm saline solution in the "snot sucker". well time to go mow!
Gary

[Jenny Z]

You use chemicals in yours??

Mine can with little packets of stuff, but if you read the ingredients, it's basically just salt. :p