Help with Sinuses

So it's been what, two weeks since my last post? Of course, that's to be expected over the holidays. Ash and I had a good vacation visiting HER parents and being visited by MY parents. All in all things went very well and, in addition to hanging out with family, we received/gave some cool gifts (I got THIS multifunction, water-powered clock for my dad - very neat and works surprising well).

Ash's brother also introduced me to a nice, tremendously helpful device called a "neti pot." I just know you're wondering what this is. Basically it's a nasal irrigation product that flushes your sinuses of all the pollution, allergens, pollen, dust, etc. that builds up and helps cause illnesses. By flushing your sinuses you allow your nose to do it's secondary job more effectively - keep the bad stuff out. It also has the added benefit of relieving sinus headaches and congestion. The interesting thing is, it's been around for a LONG time (several thousand years) and is used by many yoga enthusiasts.

Ash's brother swears by this product, and after about a week of using one, so do I. He has had chronic sinus infections twice a year (spring and fall) for the last several years. This year he didn't have the fall infection. He's been using the neti pot for about 6 months and gives it all the credit. I can personally testify that the neti pot allows me to breathe easier and has relieved the need for nasal decongestants. Plus my sinuses aren't drying up and causing a bloody nose during this dry winter period.

I HIGHLY recommend trying out a neti pot. You just pour in some warm water and 1/4 teaspoon of salt (non-iodized, no caking-agent sea salt) and you're good to go. They even sell them at Whole Foods in the medicine section (at least they did in Dallas). The salt you can pick up in just about any grocery store (I suggest "Bob's Red Mill Sea Salt" that I picked up at Shoppers) for less than any over-the-counter drug (about $2.50 for a 2 pound bag - which should last for several months of daily use). I also suggest initially using the neti pot in the shower for two reasons: an abundant supply of warm water, and it may be a little messy the first couple of times. But you'll feel better.

For more information here are a few links to read about the process. For a laugh, watch the instructional video, but FIRST READ the other material. It doesn't look pleasant, but I assure it's not bad at all. Just try it once or twice and you'll agree your sinuses have never felt better or clearer.

Material on why it's just good sinus health. As well as some backgound information to the neti pot.

Here is the Amazon listing. Read the comments and reviews.

A blog that talks about it in an amusing way. (though I disagree with his ending "head cold" comment - I think the neti pot would help a lot with a head cold and congestion)

The instructional video. It's really not anywhere NEAR as bad as it looks or the person posting implies. And it actually feels very good to get the bad stuff out. I promise. I'm sure the video will turn some people off, but you've got to know how it works. How else did you expect to irrigate your nasal passages?