Musings from Marilyn

Posts Tagged ‘sinus’

It has been a long time in coming, but spring is finally making somewhat of an entrance in the Pacific Northwest.  The weather is still rainy and cool, but the days are longer and the sun is actually making an appearance more frequently.  I don’t know why this surprises me every year, but my good old allergies start to kick in at the first bloom of springtime.  I think because winter, even though it’s dark and gloomy, does afford me a respite in the allergy department.

Tree, plant and grass pollen are filling the air, with the accompanying symptoms of sneezing, sniffling and swollen eyes.  My sinuses seem eternally stuffed up, resulting in that oh-so unattractive mouth-breathing at night.  I know that 24-hour non-drowsy allergy medications are available, and I do take them from time to time.  I don’t want to become dependent on medications though, preferring a more natural approach since it’s so ongoing.

What to do, what to do?  First thing, I am a committed neti pot user.  I religiously use it every day, and have been for years.  There is nothing quite like flushing out the nasal passages with salt water!  Once you start, it’s hard to stop; the instant clean feeling is quite amazing and quite addictive.  It’s perfectly natural though – I don’t think I am in any danger of having to go to neti pot rehab – well, at least I hope so!

I learned something new recently:  that applying petroleum jelly to the inside of your nostrils will trap pollen in your nose.  So, of course, I had to try this.  Being the natural, eco-conscious gal that I am (well, try to be), I really don’t like the idea of putting a chemical by-product up my nose, so I am using the Alba Un-petroleum Jelly, which is the same consistency of petroleum jelly but is made from pure plant oils and all natural waxes.  It helps keep the inner lining of the nose moist too, which just feels better.

First thing in the morning, and a couple times a day, I spray saline nose spray up my nose.  I use it to augment the action of the neti pot, and is more of a quick, nasal-moistening fix.  I find it works even better if I spray, wait 5 minutes, blow my nose and then spray again.   This seems to work more effectively for a quick nasal cleanse.

Yes, I do take allergy medications every now and then.  But since I’ve been practicing the more natural methods, my medication use has greatly lessened.  I haven’t had a sinus infection in years either.  I used to get them twice a year (fall and spring), with the resulting antibiotic use to clear it up.  I hate antibiotic use because it throws the body all out of whack.  I’m glad to be rid of having to take them anymore.

So gurgle, snort, spray and line your nasal passages!  They will love you for it!

~Marilyn Huttunen

I have been using a neti pot for about a year and a half now.  Practically every day without fail, I prepare the simple solution of non-iodized salt and warm water in my neti pot.  Then I perform the cleansing rinse of the nasal passages by pouring the solution in one nostril and out the other.  It’s weird, to be sure, but I soon got used to it and now I actually look forward to it.  I like having allergens and gunk actually being washed away.

Being a long time sufferer of sinus troubles and allergies, I had been aware of the neti pot for years.  Being pre-internet, and before Oprah and Dr. Oz got on the neti pot bandwagon, I for the life of me couldn’t figure out how to use a neti pot from a book!  So I suffered from chronic sinus infections and terrible allergies come spring and fall.  Dousing myself with allergy medications and trips to the doctor for antibiotics when a sinus infection set in.  Well, thank goodness, there was a resurgence of the neti pot about two years ago.  Dr. Oz demonstrated how to actually use it on the Oprah show.  YouTube videos on it’s use also abounded.  So I purchased one, started using it, and never quit!

The neti pot is actually a Yoga practice that has been around for 5,000 years.  I figure that anything that’s been around that long without negative effects is worth a try.  Not only does it help my allergies immensely, it seems to have a calming effect and I definitely feel cleansed.  I still have my allergies, but I’d say my allergy medication use is down about 75%.  My sinus problems have almost entirely cleared up, with only an occasional sinus headache.

There is a humorous side effect of neti pot use.  Sometimes, hours after using it, when I bend over a flood of water will come rushing out of my nose.  Where has this water been all this time?  In some recess of my brain?  I do have to remember to now, after using it, to bend over and blow all excess solution out of my nose to avoid this.  It happened once when I was at the library bending over to get a book on the shelf…I was madly grabbing for tissue, anything, to stop the flood!

It’s definitely worth spending a few minutes a day performing this age-old practice.  Practically free too.  Incredibly effective…can’t beat that!

Marilyn