Nasal Irrigation – Neti

WHAT IS IT?
Neti is an irrigation of the nasal passages using isotonic or hypertonic saline solution. 

HISTORY
Neti is rooted in Ayurveda, the ancient system of medicine from India. 

PRODUCTS
Neti Pot, Saline salt packs, distilled water, tissues

BENEFITS

*Cleanses the nasal cavity

*Moves mucus

*Removes inflammation-causing elements

*Improves the ability of the respiratory system to self-clean

*Restores ease of breathing

*Moisturizes the nasal cavity

*Use of prescriptive medications are decreased

CONDITIONS

*Sinus congestion

*Allergies

*Colds

*Upper respiratory infections

*Post-operative care from nasal surgery

*Chronic rhinosinusitis

*Allergic and non-allergic rhinitis

*Post-nasal drip

*Septal perforations

RISKS / CONTRAINDICATIONS

*Should not be used on infants or small children

*Routine use may remove some protective elements of the mucus membranes lining the nasal passages and sinuses. 

*USE STERILE WATER ONLY -a parasitic amoeba, Naegleria fowleri, has been linked to several deaths of neti pot users who were not using sterile water. Once introduced into the sinuses, the parasite travels to the brain, resulting in a fatal infection. 

Contraindication: Incompletely healed facial trauma, ear surgeries, ear infection, blocked ears, recent sinus surgeries

STEP-BY-STEP

1. Wash your hands. Add the saline solution with lukewarm, distilled, filtered, or previously boiled water to a clean, dry neti pot. Shake the device gently to dissolve the mixture. 
2. Standing in front of a sink, bend over the sink, and tilt your head to one side at about 45 degrees. Keep your mouth open, without holding your breath, and apply the tip of the device snugly to your nasal passage. Allow the solution to run through the nasal passage until it starts draining out of the opposite nostril. Use roughly half of the solution. 
3. Blow your nose gently, without pinching the nose completely to avoid pressure on the eardrums. Breathe in any residual solution remaining in the nasal passages, allowing the back of the nasal passages to clear out. Spit out any solution that enters the throat. 
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 on the opposite nasal passage. 
5. Discard any leftover solution. Clean neti pot with warm water and soap. Allow to air dry. 

SAFETY

1. DO NOT use tap water unless it has previously been boiled for five minutes or more as boiling sterilizes the water. Distilled, micro-filtered (through 0.2 micron), and commercially bottled water may be used. Boiled water that has been cooled may be used. 
2. DO NOT share your neti pot with other users. 
3. Follow the cleaning protocol after each use. 
4. Replace the neti pot every 3 months. 
5. Gently rinse the nasal passages.
6. Only use isotonic saline solution that is PH balanced and preservative free. Be cautious of making solutions at home since table salt and baking soda are not pharmaceutical grade compounds for medical use and may contain impurities. 

FREQUENCY
Rinse once or twice daily as recommended by a physician.

REFERENCES

Saline Nasal Irrigation for Upper Respiratory Conditions – American Family Physician (aafp.org)

How Neti Pots Can Be Used to Treat Allergies | Healthline

How to Use a Neti Pot: Step-by-Step Instructions (healthline.com)

NasalIrrigation.pdf (neilmed.com)

NasaFlo® Blue Porcelain Neti Pot (neilmed.com)