Nasal irrigation using a neti pot or Jalaneti has proved to be very effective in dealing with sinusitis, clearing a blocked, stuffy nose, easing sinus headaches, reducing nasal dryness, heightening the sense of smell and taste, reducing snoring, as a remedy to reduce the appearance of dark circles around the eyes and many such issues.
A person who is suffering from repeated sinus infections and cold should discuss with his/her doctor about using nasal irrigation using a neti pot as a part of his therapy. Jala Neti is that effective for sinus problems.
But if you are planning to use the neti pot to rinse your nasal passages, you should do it correctly and use sterilized, boiled and cooled water for this purpose.
Cleanliness of the neti pot is an absolute must. It should be rinsed thoroughly in sterilized water and dried completely before using it for nasal irrigation.
If you observe cleanliness and hygiene, nasal cleansing with neti pot will work wonders for you. If not, it can have fatal consequences too. So be wary.
Excerpts from an article in The CBS News:
FDA is warning that improper use of neti pots can be dangerous and lead to infections, including the deadly Naegleria fowleri – better known as the “brain-eating” amoeba.
In a statement, the FDA said that when used and cleaned properly, neti pots are usually safe and effective.
Tap water isn’t safe to use as a nasal rinse because it’s not adequately filtered or treated and may contain low levels of organisms, such as bacteria and amoebas.
These organisms may be harmless to swallow because stomach acid kills them, but they can stay alive in nasal passages and cause potentially serious infections. In rare cases, these infections can be fatal.
If you use boiled and cooled tap water, make sure it is boiled for three to five minutes then cooled until it is lukewarm. Previously boiled water can be stored in a clean, closed container for use within 24 hours, the FDA says.
It’s also extremely important that you follow the instructions that come with the neti pot or nasal irrigation system.
Go through the instructions on how to use a neti pot in the right way from here and here.
The CBS News article further mentions:
When Jala Neti is done the right way, it can remove dust, pollen and other debris, as well as help to loosen thick mucus. It can also help relieve nasal symptoms of sinus infections, allergies, colds and flu.
To use and care for your device, the FDA recommends:
A person who is suffering from repeated sinus infections and cold should discuss with his/her doctor about using nasal irrigation using a neti pot as a part of his therapy. Jala Neti is that effective for sinus problems.
But if you are planning to use the neti pot to rinse your nasal passages, you should do it correctly and use sterilized, boiled and cooled water for this purpose.
Cleanliness of the neti pot is an absolute must. It should be rinsed thoroughly in sterilized water and dried completely before using it for nasal irrigation.
If you observe cleanliness and hygiene, nasal cleansing with neti pot will work wonders for you. If not, it can have fatal consequences too. So be wary.
Dangers of Jala Neti
Excerpts from an article in The CBS News:
FDA is warning that improper use of neti pots can be dangerous and lead to infections, including the deadly Naegleria fowleri – better known as the “brain-eating” amoeba.
In a statement, the FDA said that when used and cleaned properly, neti pots are usually safe and effective.
Tap water isn’t safe to use as a nasal rinse because it’s not adequately filtered or treated and may contain low levels of organisms, such as bacteria and amoebas.
These organisms may be harmless to swallow because stomach acid kills them, but they can stay alive in nasal passages and cause potentially serious infections. In rare cases, these infections can be fatal.
If you use boiled and cooled tap water, make sure it is boiled for three to five minutes then cooled until it is lukewarm. Previously boiled water can be stored in a clean, closed container for use within 24 hours, the FDA says.
It’s also extremely important that you follow the instructions that come with the neti pot or nasal irrigation system.
Go through the instructions on how to use a neti pot in the right way from here and here.
The CBS News article further mentions:
When Jala Neti is done the right way, it can remove dust, pollen and other debris, as well as help to loosen thick mucus. It can also help relieve nasal symptoms of sinus infections, allergies, colds and flu.
To use and care for your device, the FDA recommends:
- Wash and dry your hands.
- Check that the device is clean and completely dry.
- Prepare the saline rinse, either with the prepared mixture supplied with the device, or one you make yourself.
- Follow the manufacturer’s directions for use.
- Wash the device, and dry the inside with a paper towel or let it air dry between uses.
daily use of a neti pot or other forms of nasal irrigation relieves sinus symptoms and, once the symptoms are gone, performing irrigation about three times a week is enough to keep them away.
ReplyDeleteIf you do not adequately clean your neti pot or if you use water that is not sterile, you may be at risk for serious infections. Mold or other contaminants may lurk in an unclean neti pot and could be harmful.
ReplyDelete