Do you suffer from
chronic mucus build-up, dry winter passages or seasonal allergies?
Perhaps you just want to rinse away the break-up dust from your nose?
For all of these reasons—and more, nasal irrigation or rinsing is
reaching new heights of popularity.
In Alaska we have
more reasons to rinse than in many other places. Our winters dry out
our moist nasal passage ways, thus increasing our susceptibility to
infections. We can also have high pollen counts in other seasons. A
larger concern, however, is break-up dust. Dust contains all those
lovely chemicals, pollens, microbes, spores and other things that fall
to the ground. Luckily, nasal rinsing gives us the ability to at least
rinse these items from our nasal passages.
Traditionally
nasal rinsing is touted by many sinusitis and allergy sufferers.
Allergic people tend to suffer from inflammation and subsequent
infection of the nasal and sinus passages. They also suffer a myriad
of symptoms from nasal congestion to itchy, watery eyes, runny nose
and recurring sinus infections. Certain allergens are always present.
These include house dust mites, household pet dander, and mold spores.
Symptoms from these are frequently worse in the winter when the house
is closed up.
Mold spores cause
at least as many allergy problems as pollens. Molds are present all
year long, and grow both outdoors and indoors. Dead leaves, farm
areas, indoor plants, old books, bathrooms, and damp areas are common
sources of mold growth. Common food allergens such as dairy products
and wheat can be common mucus builders. Studies have shown nasal
irrigation to be very effective for adults as well as children. Nasal
rinsing and avoidance of allergens can provide amazing freedom from
medications and antibiotics.
What you need:
