The small, unassuming plastic teapot that I keep in the top of the cabinet is one of the best investments I’ve ever made. Maybe you’ve heard of it, or maybe you’re wondering what I’m talking about, but without a doubt the Neti-Pot has truly been a life-saver for me.
Like tens of millions of my fellow Americans, I have suffered with chronic sinus and allergy problems for years.
Image Source: Sean Palacios, M.D.
Sinus congestion is a common complaint I encounter on an almost daily basis in the audiology clinic, along with the accompanying complaint of, “my ears feel plugged up”. In audiology circles, we affectionately refer to this plugged up feeling as ETD (or Eustachian Tube Dysfunction).
The Eustachian tube is essentially the ‘pressure regulator’ of the middle ear–it helps equalize the pressure behind your eardrum to that of the atmosphere.
While ETD is often just a benign source of annoyance for many (and fluctuating hearing loss for some), it is a particular concern in children. When the Eustachian tube, or the area around its opening becomes swollen, it can trap fluid and create an environment susceptible to bacteria, causing an ear infection. Due to the shorter and more horizontal anatomy of the Eustachian tube in a young child, fluid buildup cannot drain as easily from the middle ear space, leaving it more susceptible to infection.
Sinus and allergy problems can be true misery. Your head throbs, your eyes itch, your ears feel plugged and you can’t think.
Chronic Sinus and Ear Congestion
Tired of the chronic sinus headaches and plugged ears, I came to my wits’ end about 7 or 8 years ago. I found myself taking a daily regimen of anti-histamine pills and an increasingly frequent need for nasal sprays just to maintain a certain level of normalcy (often without luck). Despite my efforts, I would still come down with at least two sinus infections per year and I was getting tired of it. I knew there had to be a better way.
That’s when I was introduced to the Neti-Pot.
Common pollens spell trouble for millions. Image source: Wikipedia.
I had heard about sinus rinsing before, but never really gave it much thought. In all honesty, it sounded sort of gross, but I was willing to try anything. For about $15, I went down to my local Walgreen’s and bought the small plastic teapot and some packets of saline mix. The rest, as they say, is history.
In the last 7-8 years, I’ve only had 1 or 2 sinus infections. Prior to that, I was having at least 2-3 per year.
A big part of the reason I believe I’ve had so much success with the Neti-Pot is that I use it preventively–at the first sign of trouble. I now use it religiously after mowing the lawn or at the first indication of oncoming nasal congestion. Sometimes I use it daily, during certain periods of fall and spring, when my seasonal allergies are at their worst.
How Does the Neti Pot Work?
Long before Oprah and Dr. Oz touted its benefit and helped generate a resurgence in its popularity, saline nasal irrigation was a practice that had existed for hundreds of years. As I mentioned before, it seems a bit gross, but you get over it quickly once you realize how much relief it can provide. Essentially it works by flushing out the irritants and allergens from inside the nasal cavities and helps keep your nasal cilia happy and healthy (yes, we have cilia in our nose too!).
Looks gross, right? To some, it looks like sweet relief. Image courtesy Oprah.com.
If you want to check out a demonstration for yourself, check out this Oprah clip with Dr. Oz discussing the Neti Pot.
Should We All Use It?
Regular saline nasal washes during the allergy season have been shown to decrease the amount of allergens in the nose and reduce the amount of IgE in the bloodstream (IgE is a protein the body makes in response to allergens).
While it is great for sinus and allergy sufferers, it also has the potential to work as cold/flu prevention.
However, the Neti Pot won’t necessarily work for everyone and some people may not be good candidates for it. Although, I can tell you from my own personal experience, it truly has been a life saver. That little plastic tea kettle has saved me countless hours of sinus congestion (and plugged ears) and probably thousands of dollars in fewer visits to my doctor for antibiotics over the last several years. Well worth the original $15 investment and occasional $5 charges for a box of saline packets.
A Word of Caution
Image source: Neti-Netti-Pot.com
In light of recent deaths in the US from a rare “brain eating” amoeba (Naegleria Fowleri), the CDC has issued a warning to Neti Pot users. While flushing the nasal cavities is generally safe, there is a risk of introducing foreign bacteria, so you must always remember to use distilled or boiled water ONLY and always follow the best sanitary practices when cleaning and using your Neti Pot.
While it is rare, you wouldn’t want to risk the chance of introducing foreign bacteria into your nasal cavities that could be present in regular tap water. Best to play it safe and buy an inexpensive jug of distilled water.
So, if that warning didn’t scare you off and you are still searching for sweet relief from your chronic sinus/allergy problems, a Neti Pot may well be worth the investment.
I am about to go purchase the neti-pot but im really the type of person who hates the feeling of water up the nose. I am wondering if there is any discomfort associated with its use. I know I have to relax during the process and hoping I can actually do it. I have ETD that was suggested to be a result of my allergies. Ive always have allergies (seasonal) and dont knwo why all of a sudden it has affected my ears. I have constant crackling and popping when I yawn and swallow. I dont know if this helps that or not. Im willing to try. Please advise. Thank you.