Benefits of nasal irrigation

Nasal irrigation allows one to breathe more easily afterwards, which is one of the main reasons many yogis (yoga practitioners) perform regular irrigations with isotonic saline. But nasal irrigations (especially with hypertonic solutions) can also provide symptom relief for those with sino-nasal conditions,[1, 2] such as:

  • Rhinitis:
    • Allergic rhinitis[1, 3, 4, 5, 6] (includes Hay Fever)
    • Ageing rhinitis[1]
    • Atrophic rhinitis[7]
    • Infective rhinitis
    • Rhinitis medicamentosa
  • Sinusitis:
    • Acute sinusitis[2, 8]
    • Chronic sinusitis[1, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13]
  • Nasal congestion[1]
  • Post-nasal drip[1]
  • Septal perforation[1]
  • Contact with air-borne irritants[14, 15]
The specific symptoms that are relieved by nasal irrigation are:
  • Nasal secretions[9]
  • Post-nasal drip[1, 9]
  • Cough[1, 9]
  • Headaches[1]
  • Nasal congestion[12]
  • Sinus headaches, frontal pain and pressure[12]
  • Encrusted mucus[2, 16, 17]

Which in turn can lead to improved sleep and decreased stress levels,[1] as well as reducing the need for medications such as anti-biotics and nasal sprays[2, 12].

Nasal irrigation is believed to increase the effectiveness of nasal sprays as mucus is cleared away increasing the penetration of the spray.[2]

References
[1]
L. T. Tomooka, C. Murphy, and T. M. Davidson. Clinical study and literature review of nasal irrigation. Laryngoscope, 110(7):1189-93, 2000.
[2]
B. Papsin and A. McTavish. Saline nasal irrigation: Its role as an adjunct treatment. Can Fam Physician, 49(NIL):168-73, 2003.
[3]
J. W. Georgitis. Nasal hyperthermia and simple irrigation for perennial rhinitis. changes in inflammatory mediators. Chest, 106(5):1487-92, 1994.
[4]
W. Garavello, M. Romagnoli, L. Sordo, R. M. Gaini, C. Di-Berardino, and A. Angrisano. Hypersaline nasal irrigation in children with symptomatic seasonal allergic rhinitis: a randomized study. Pediatr Allergy Immunol, 14(2):140-3, 2003.
[5]
W. Garavello, F. Di-Berardino, M. Romagnoli, G. Sambataro, and R. M. Gaini. Nasal rinsing with hypertonic solution: an adjunctive treatment for pediatric seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis. Int Arch Allergy Immunol, 137(4):310-4, 2005.
[6]
S. Cordray, J. B. Harjo, and L. Miner. Comparison of intranasal hypertonic dead sea saline spray and intranasal aqueous triamcinolone spray in seasonal allergic rhinitis. Ear Nose Throat J, 84(7):426-30, 2005.
[7]
J. Nuutinen, E. Holopainen, T. Haahtela, P. Ruoppi, and M. Silvasti. Balanced physiological saline in the treatment of chronic rhinitis. Rhinology, 24(4):265-9, 1986.
[8]
L. J. Fagnan. Acute sinusitis: A cost-effective approach to diagnosis and treatment. Am Fam Physician, 58(8):1795-802,805-6, 1998.
[9]
D. Shoseyov, H. Bibi, P. Shai, N. Shoseyov, G. Shazberg, and H. Hurvitz. Treatment with hypertonic saline versus normal saline nasal wash of pediatric chronic sinusitis. J Allergy Clin Immunol, 101(5):602-5, 1998.
[10]
M. Taccariello, A. Parikh, Y. Darby, and G. Scadding. Nasal douching as a valuable adjunct in the management of chronic rhinosinusitis. Rhinology, 37(1):29-32, 1999.
[11]
G. Bachmann, G. Hommel, and O. Michel. Effect of irrigation of the nose with isotonic salt solution on adult patients with chronic paranasal sinus disease. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol, 257(10):537-41, 2000.
[12]
D. Rabago, A. Zgierska, M. Mundt, B. Barrett, J. Bobula, and R. Maberry. Efficacy of daily hypertonic saline nasal irrigation among patients with sinusitis: a randomized controlled trial. J Fam Pract, 51(12):1049-55, 2002.
[13]
D. Rabago, T. Pasic, A. Zgierska, M. Mundt, B. Barrett, and R. Maberry. The efficacy of hypertonic saline nasal irrigation for chronic sinonasal symptoms. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg, 133(1):3-8, 2005.
[14]
M. Holmstrom, G. Rosen, and L. Wahlander. Effect of nasal lavage on nasal symptoms and physiology in wood industry workers. Rhinology, 35(3):108-12, 1997.
[15]
S. J. Rabone and S. B. Saraswati. Acceptance and effects of nasal lavage in volunteer woodworkers. Occup Med (Lond), 49(6):365-9, 1999.
[16]
D. Pigret and R. Jankowski. Management of post-ethmoidectomy crust formation: randomized single-blind clinical trial comparing pressurized seawater versus antiseptic/mucolytic saline. Rhinology, 34(1):38-40, 1996.
[17]
M. S. Benninger, J. Anon, and R. L. Mabry. The medical management of rhinosinusitis. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg, 117(3 Pt 2):S41-9, 1997.