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Original poster

Anyone done a salt wash for sinus problems?

50 replies

Ulysees · 19/09/2005 13:59

I suffer from chronic sinus problems and have heard that you can wash the sinuses out with warm water and salt and don't mind trying it. Just wondered if anyone's done it and did it work?

OP posts:
Original poster
Ulysees · 26/09/2005 16:58

Thanks yoyo

It still isn't totally better and I can't decide if I should go back to gp or not?
I joined a gym yesterday and used the steam room today and it seemed to help a bit.

It's amazing how many people have sinus problems though. I wonder if pollution and chemicals in the home aggravates them and that's why there's more people complaining?

OP posts:
spacecadet · 26/09/2005 17:05

biglips, the mucous at the back of the throat is called post nasal drip and resullts from the inflamed sinus passages producing mucous which then drips down the back of the nose..i wake up every morning with gunk in my throat..eww!
ive had sinus trouble for years, i broke my nose and have a deviated septum which doesnt help, so i sympathise with everyone, ive had 2 nose cautery ops and an out fracture of the inferior turbunites..but sadly the prob is back, i now get constant ear infections because of my swollen nasal passages.

Original poster
Ulysees · 26/09/2005 17:12

Awww spacecadet
Meant to thank you for recommending the neti pot. I haven't got one yet but it sounds good, have you got one?

OP posts:
spacecadet · 26/09/2005 17:16

i dont have one but ive heard that they are very good, apparently we should use them even if we dont suffer from sinus trouble, to keep the nasal passages clean, i watched extreme celebrity detox once where they all had to use the pots and all felt great afterwards.

Original poster
Ulysees · 26/09/2005 17:26

Worth a try then? I've heard we should all use them or a wash of some sort as the nasal passages are the entry of all sorts of bugs.

Have you ever tried cranial osteopathy?

OP posts:
spacecadet · 26/09/2005 17:27

tried it and sadly didnt work for me, maybe i should get a neti pot, ive forgotten whats its like to breath

Original poster
Ulysees · 26/09/2005 17:35

just been looking on a site and you can get neti pots for as little as 2 or 3.50. They're only plastic but dishwasher safe

OP posts:
kbaby · 29/09/2005 22:07

Ive just had a sinus op. I had my septum straightened and my sinuses cleared out.
Ive been perscribed Fluoxitine which is a steroid spray as my nose is already inflammed again(8 weeks after op)ENT specialist also told me to get a natural saltwater spray, he said Boots are the only place that do it but its very good.

Original poster
Ulysees · 03/10/2005 14:28

Sorry you're still suffering kbaby I'll check out Boots for the spray aswell.

OP posts:
biglips · 03/10/2005 14:33

space - oh right! (yuck).. ill have to try the natural saltwater spray from boots as apparantly the ops arent really successful as i was told but it did do me good but not 100%

Original poster
Ulysees · 03/10/2005 14:51

just ordered a neti pot from ebay, £8.50 (£1p&p) so I'll report back with results

OP posts:
Original poster
Ulysees · 03/10/2005 14:52

Oh and it's new btw, not been up someone elses hooter!

OP posts:
Original poster
Ulysees · 03/10/2005 14:53

In the meantime, off to try the beetroot wash as I have some fresh beetroot in. Apparently beetroot juice calms the sinuses as it's anti-inflammatory.

OP posts:
spookylips · 03/10/2005 15:05
Shock
cori · 03/10/2005 15:23

I was actually in hospital yesterday with pain so severe I needed pethidine to take the edge off it. It didnt occur to me until I got home that the pain might be related to a sinus problem ( i have a cold for about two weeks) I looked up Sinutab on Netdoctor, and it said that has been taken for many years by pregnant women and there havent been any recognised side effects. I had to risk it the pain was unbearable, the headache went away, but now I have a blocked up ear, and my head feels like it has a brick inside it. Did some steam this morning, didnt help much. How do you do a salt wash? ANy other remedies?
God how I wish I could take nurofen.

foxinsocks · 03/10/2005 16:10

are you pregnant (the no nurofen thing)? so the hospital gave you pethidine without finding out what was causing your pain?

If you feel that bad, I would really go to the GP (esp if you are pregnant). Maybe you have an ear infection or something.

The salt water spray - you snort just like you would a nasal inhaler. If you pour salt water through your sinuses, you tip your head back to do it but it's pretty unpleasant and the spray is probably easier.

cori · 03/10/2005 17:02

Yes they did. I am pregnant, I dont think it even occurred to them it was a sinus problem. I was in extreme pain. They did monitor me for a few hours though. I hadnt occurred to me was a sinus problem either, I also had neck and jaw stiffnes, I thought it might have menigitis.
Have been to the GP this morning, forced her to give me antibiotics. Doesnt help the pain though.

UlyseesSpirits · 03/10/2005 18:40

Sorry to hear you're suffering cori

I tried the beetroot wash - crushed a cooked beetroot,mixed it with warm water then sieved it. Then put it on a saucer and snorted it up each nostril. It has helped so I'll keep it up.

cori · 05/10/2005 13:55

Right am still suffering. This salt wash thing, How much salt to water do I use?. What do I use to spray it with?. DO I have to use the whole solution or just a couple of squirts?

UlyseesSpirits · 05/10/2005 14:02

Hi cori, you can mix up half teaspoon of salt in warm (not hot or cold) water and put it on a flatish surface, maybe saucer? then snort it up each nostril whilst blocking the other and let it drain out fully. That's how I've been doing it anyway.

Btw I went to see the cranial osteopath yesterday and he gave me a real going over! and I managed to sleep last night Not done that for a few days.

cori · 05/10/2005 14:05

Now i get it, the Kate Moss way. Will go try it now

UlyseesSpirits · 05/10/2005 14:09

yes was thinking that myself lol

UlyseesSpirits · 05/10/2005 14:10

don't use too much salt though cori or else it stings

spookylips · 05/10/2005 14:17

beetroot!! will i have "blood" stains all over my face?!?!

UlyseesSpirits · 05/10/2005 14:21

spookylips, it is awful when it drips down your nose but it worked. I'll try anything tbh as it's awful having sinus problems

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