Saline nasal sprays such as Sterimar may help treat rhinitis and sinusitis.
They are useful at removing airborne allergens, thinning mucus thereby relieving nasal congestion, moisturizing the nasal passages and keeping the cilia in your nose healthy. Cilia are the small hair-like structures in your nose that help humidify air to your lungs, assist in sinus drainage, trap bacteria etc. and aid your sense of smell.
Isotonic and hypertonic saline nasal sprays are available. Isotonic saline nasal sprays contain the same salt concentration found in the human body whereas hypertonic saline nasal sprays contain a higher level of salt concentration than is found in the human body. Excessive hypertonic solutions can impair cilia movement however they can be more effective at drying out swollen tissue.
Unfortunately many saline nasal sprays contain additives and preservatives such as benzalkonium which can cause side effects and can even be addictive. Therefore it is important to choose a saline nasal spray that contains no additives or preservatives.
Although saline nasal sprays are useful for many people, they do have their disadvantages. They are not particularly effective at relieving sinus pain, pressure and headaches. They do not kill bacterial and fungal infections, therefore do not help many chronic sinusitis sufferers. They do not reduce histamine therefore many allergy sufferers do not get sufficient relief from their symptoms.
Where saline nasal sprays are not effective, natural nasal sprays such as Sinusoothe are a great alternative. Sinusoothe in particular is doctor recommended and contains clinically proven ingredients that are suspended in an isotonic saline solution. Therefore you get all of the benefits of the saline nasal spray plus additional ones. It provides instant relief from sinus pain, pressure, headaches, runny nose etc. since it contains powerful natural anti-inflammatories, pain relievers and anti-histamines. It is extremely effective at relieving nasal congestion due to it’s decongestant and expectorant properties. It also provides a long term solution since it is extremely effective at killing bacterial and fungal infections and desensitizing the sinuses to allergens. Like saline nasal sprays that are additive and preservative free, it is completely safe to use daily and is non-addictive.
A great alternative to saline nasal sprays is to irrigate the sinuses with a saline solution. Isotonic or hypertonic solutions can be used and the usual method of administering the solution is a neti-pot. Other proprietary devices are also available and the object is to force the saline solution through the nasal passages. This is particularly effective at relieving nasal congestion and removing airborne allergens. It does however lack the convenience of nasal sprays and the process can be cumbersome.
If you suffer from an existing sinus condition please see your doctor before using new treatments.
Want to find out more about nasal sprays or natural nasal sprays then visit Julia Cooper Davidson at SinuSoothe. Julia provides free advice on the treatment of sinus conditions and is an expert in her field.