Nasal Washing Helping Solve Stuffy Noses (NAPSA)—Anancient tradition is making headlines after modern science has rediscovered its potential. For the millions of Americans who suffer from stuffy noses and other uncomfortable sinus symptoms, an ancient practice called jala neti, or nasal washing, is working wonders. The term “jala neti” literally means “water cleansing” and involves a rinsingof the nasal cavity with a water andsaline solution. In India and neighboring areas, it’s a common practice and is part of a daily routine, much like brushing yourteeth. Ideally, the cells in your sinuses produce thin and watery mucus, which transports to the nose. In reality, however, few people are able to maintain that healthy level of thin and watery mucus. At some point, due to allergies, a sinus infection or other irritations, the mucus becomes thick and stagnant. This causes those annoying sinus symptoms: congestion, drainage, headache, snoring, cough and postnasaldrip. Dr. Diane Heatley, an ear, nose andthroat doctor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, rediscovered the practice as a meansof helping her patients. She then created the SinuCleanse system, which uses a neti pot or a squeeze bottle, to help ease their symptoms. “I actually heard about the process from one of my nurses,” said Dr. Heatley. “After some investigation, I started recommending that my patients incorporate daily | nasal washing as a meansof reducing sinus symptoms.” The result? Dr. Heatley saw the numberof sinus surgeries she was performing reduced by nearly 50 percent. “A number of my patients are children,” said Dr. Heatley. “At the time, the only neti pots available on the market were ceramic and not child- or bathroom-friendly.” The SinuCleanse system includes premeasured saline packets and either a plastic neti pot or squeeze bottle. With the more traditional neti pot, users simply mix the saline solution with warm water and, tilting their heads, pour the water in one nostril. With the squeeze bottle, users apply a bit of force to the bottle to cleanse the nose. “With both applications, the water will freely flow through your nasal cavity and out the other nostril, pulling with it the allergens and thick mucus that make ussick,” explained Dr. Heatley. For more information on nasal washing or the SinuCleanse system, visit www.sinucleanse.com.
