Nasal Irrigation for Allergy and Cold Relief

What options do we singers have when we’re struck by a head cold or allergies? We might choose from one of these two extremes:

1. One is to simply ignore it and therefore suffer and put ourselves at risk for a sinus infection.
2. Or we could use medicines that totally dry out our mucous membranes and make it dangerous to sing all while also making us drowsy.

But there is a middle way: nasal irrigation.

Say What?

Nasal irrigation is the process of sending a saline solution into your nasal cavities to rinse out excessive mucous. Often this is done with a Neti pot, water bottle or bulb syringe shooting water into a nostril. The water goes up that one nostril and out the other. Excess mucous and allergens are rinsed out, and inflammation is reduced.

I first learned about nasal irrigation from NPR, which featured a story about an opera singer who uses nasal irrigation. It took me several years until I finally tried it, and it worked beautifully. I had been suffering from such severe allergies that I was feeling dizzy, but I felt much better once I began using irrigation. I also have not had a single cold since then, which is a pretty good track record (I usually get a cold twice a year).

More Proof

Here are some quotes that support the use of nasal irrigation:

One randomized study at the University of Michigan in 2007 looked at over 120 adults with chronic nasal and sinus problems and found that those treated with nasal irrigation had greater improvements over a two-month period than those treated with a spray. Another study in 2009 found that nasal irrigation with saline lessened the need for steroid sprays in children with allergies.

– Anahad O’Connor writing from the NY Time’s Well Blog (BTW, you should read the comments on this post for further support from those who use nasal irrigation.)

According to patient self-reports it improves quality of life and reduces use of medication, including antibiotics. It is also an effective measure against chronic sinus symptoms induced by work-place exposure to sawdust. Further evidence suggests that nasal irrigation causes relief for both hay-fever and the common cold. The use of nasal irrigation for the related conditions of asthma, nasal polyposis and rhinitis of pregnancy has not been assessed but the symptoms of these conditions are expected to be alleviated in a similar way.

– From Wikipedia’s article ‘Nasal irrigation’

In Dr. Rabago’s four studies, people with chronic sinus symptoms who consistently practiced nasal irrigation reported a decrease in symptoms (congestion, runny nose), an increased quality of life and a reduced use of nasal sprays and antibiotics.

-From University of Wisconsin Health’s article “Nasal Irrigation Helps Control Sinus Problems”

Products

When I first started, I used an Arrowhead water bottle that help 8 oz. of water. I made my own saline solution with baking soda and non-iodized salt (recipe later).

But I have moved up in the nasal irrigation world. When you look around, you’ll see a wide variety of products on the market for practicing nasal irrigation.

• The Neti Pot

  

  The neti (Sanskrit for nasal cleansing) pot is the most basic device for nasal irrigation. You fill it with the saline solution and then press the tip into one nostril. You then tip your head over a sink and allow the water to flow from one nostril to the other. Repeat on the other side. This technique is very gentle.

  The video on the right is a demonstration of nasal irrigation with a Neti Pot . Yes, people will get grossed out if you do this in front of them, but the relief is worth it.

• A Rinsing Bottle

  

  This is what I currently use. Rather than allowing gravity to control the rate of water, you control the flow by squeezing on a plastic bottle. You can use a sports bottle if you use your own solution or you can buy a ready made bottle with saline packets that can be added to water. The packets are nice and save time.

  The video on the right is NeilMed’s utopian vision of nasal irrigation with the Neilmed Sinus Rinse Bottle.

• Machines

  

  I’ve never used one of these, so I don’t necessarily endorse them. The water is pumped through using a motor, and they can be complicated-looking contraptions. Some people absolutely love these devices though.

  The video on the right is of the SinuPulse Elite . It should give you a sense of how much water would move through your nose.

• Home Made

  The way I made a homemade irrigation bottle was to buy an 8 oz. Arrowhead water bottle. The important thing is that is has a sports top that you can place into your nostril.

  Add 2 teaspoons of salt (non-iodized) and 1 teaspoon of baking soda (not baking powder). Shake it up.

  Place the nozzle into one nostril and tilt your head over the sink.

  Squeeze gently. Don’t go crazy with the water pressure.

  The water should go up one nostril and out the other.

  Repeat on the other side.

  When you’re done, gently blow any remaining liquid from your nostrils into tissue. Don’t blow too hard though or you might get the liquid into your ears.

  If you do get water in your ears try yawning, tilting your head from one side to the other, gently shaking your head, or even standing on your head. The water will come out eventually.

  The inflammation probably won’t immediately go away in your nostrils, but do give it a few minutes.

  You can also experiment with salt and baking soda ratios. The more you add though, the more likely that it will sting. Preferably, it should not sting at all though.

Rinse Regularly

The first few times you try nasal irrigation, it may seem odd or even unpleasant. The sensation is similar to having water forced into your nose in the swimming pool. This feeling, however, does go away, and the process gets faster.

Ideally, you should do this morning and night. Some even say that it should be done as regularly as brushing your teeth. Why not? We’re singers, and we need to maximize the efficiency of our breathing mechanisms and voices, and I, as well as many people, find that nasal irrigation really helps.

How do you deal with allergies and colds as a singer? Have you tried nasal irrigation?

{Nasal irrigation photo by Villy Fink Isaksen under the Creative Commons 2.5 Share Alike License}