What Is Nasal Saline Spray
Most saline nasal sprays contain sterilized water, salt , and sometimes preservatives to give them a longer shelf life. The usual delivery system is a squirt bottle or pump bottle. Similarly, there are saline nasal drops for infants, which use a dropper.
Saline nasal sprays can be purchased without a prescription in most pharmacies or even at a grocery store in the medicine aisle. There are numerous store and brand names, including variations on several themes: Ocean Mist, Ocean Spray, Ocean, Simply Saline Nasal Mist, etc. These products are not expensive, often available for just a few dollars but always less than $10.
You can also make your own saline nasal spray and use it with a small squirt bottle.
What Is Sinusitis Exactly
Sinusitis is inflammation of the tissue lining the sinuses and nose, per the World Allergy Organization.
To understand what happens when sinusitis strikes, consider the anatomy of your upper airway. Behind your forehead, in your cheeks, and alongside your nose lie four hollow spaces. These air-filled pockets are your sinuses, explains the National Institutes of Health. Sinuses affect the pitch and quality of your voice, and they reduce the weight of your head. But your sinuses’ real claim to fame is producing mucus.
Mucus serves an important purpose: It helps trap dust, dirt, pollutants, and germs that enter your nose, says the American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology. Tiny hair-like structures called cilia naturally sweep the mucus into the back of your throat where it can be swallowed.
At least that’s what’s supposed to happen. But if that defense mechanism fails, a germ, allergen, or other irritant can trigger swelling that blocks normal sinus drainage, per the Cleveland Clinic. Suddenly, you’ve got a lot of mucus in your sinuses with nowhere to go, leading to sinus pain and pressure, says the American Academy of Family Physicians .
“A very common source of that inflammation is an infection,” Timothy R. Boyle, MD, an otolaryngologist with the Marshfield Clinic Health System in Wisconsin, tells Health. Often the culprit is a rhinovirusthe type of virus responsible for the common cold.
Prescription Medications May Be Recommended:
- Intranasal steroids reduce inflammation in thenose.
- Antihistmines .
- Leukotrience inhibitory is used for treating allergies.
- Antibiotics are used for bacterial infections.
Surgery may be recommended for structural problems such as a deviated septum or nasal polyps and for chronic sinus infections or chronically swollen membranes that dont improve with medications.
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Humming To Clear The Sinuses For Freediving
- Post comments:
In May this year, I went for a 3-km open water swim. Thanks to a combination of imperfect technique, waves, and being negatively buoyant I managed to get water up my right frontal sinus.The day after I felt pressure behind my eyebrow and realized there was an infection brewing but I thought Oh well, that will be gone soon
What followed was a brutal 4 month recurring sinus infection and several doctors visits. I was unable to dive more than 5 meters deep in the first month and after that continued to be plagued by equalizing issues.
On one of my prescriptions, my doctor wrote chronic sinusitis. The word chronic freaked me out and I was afraid my diving was over.
The infection I have has not yet completely gone away. But, thankfully I have been able to clear my sinuses consistently since late September.
In my case, medication did not do much. Some ancient and simple techniques were fortunately quite effective.
This should go without saying If you think you have an infection, see a physician.
Nasal Sprays Vs Antihistamines
The intranasal corticosteroids, Nasacort, Flonase, and Rhinocort, are probably the most effective OTC medications for the treatment of nasal allergy symptoms. A downside to them is that they will not work on an as-needed basis.
Intranasal corticosteroids take time to work. They may begin to give relief to allergy symptoms after about six to 10 hours, but full relief may not be obtained for three to six weeks with daily use.
Antihistamines, such as Zyrtec , Allegra , and Claritin , on the other hand, tend to work fairly quickly, usually within a couple of hours of taking the medication. Therefore, these medications work well when taken on an as-needed basis.
Antihistamines work best for the treatment of itchy nose, itchy eyes, and sneezingand less well for symptoms of nasal congestion or a runny nose. Of the three newer oral antihistamine options, Zyrtec and Allegra work especially well in relieving nasal allergy symptoms, usually within an hour.
Claritin, on the other hand, doesnt work as well and takes about three hours to take effect. All three of these antihistamines are a good choice for spring allergy relief and are generally preferred over a sedating antihistamine such as Benadryl.
Another antihistamine option is Astepro , a nasal spray that has been approved for nonprescription use in adults and children over the age of 6.
The only other medicated nasal sprays available OTC are nonsteroidal decongestants like Afrin and NasalCrom .
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What To Know About Using A Nasal Spray
Nasal sprays are used to deliver medications into your nostrils. Most often, they are used to treat allergy or cold symptoms, such as itching, sneezing, or nasal congestion. Some nasal sprays, however, deliver medications that act elsewhere in the body. The lining of your nose is rich in blood vessels, which means it can easily absorb medications into your bloodstream.
Nasal sprays are available by prescription and over the counter , depending on the medication. Most work by introducing a fine mist of the medication into your nostrils by the action of a hand-operated pump bottle or squeeze bottle.
Ellen Lindner / Verywell
When To See A Doctor
There are a few instances in which you should consult a doctor, including:
- Symptoms lasting 10 days or longer
- Severe sinus pain
- Blood in your nasal discharge
These symptoms could be a sign of a more serious infection or condition like nasal polyp disease, chronic sinusitis, or a cancerous growth in the nasal or sinus cavity.
Untreated sinusitis past 7-10 days will cause prolonged crippling symptoms that may affect your quality of life and your ability to work or study, says Gan Eng Cern, a fellowship trained Consultant Ear, Nose & Throat Surgeon with a private practice. If you have asthma or bronchitis, untreated sinusitis can in fact worsen these conditions.
If you decide to see a doctor for your sinus congestion, he or she may prescribe antibiotics or an antifungal, depending on the cause.
In rare cases, severe untreated sinusitis may lead to orbital cellulitis or orbital abscess, adds Eng Cern. They are known as infections of the eye. It also has the potential to affect the brain. For example, meningitis, brain abscess and sinus cavity clot are types of brain infections that may be caused by untreated sinusitis.
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Youre Using Nasal Spray Too Much
Over the counter nasal sprays work great in alleviating sinus infection pressure in the short term, but can have lasting effects if not properly used. The main chemical in nasal spray can cause your sinus infection to get worse! If you have had a sinus infection for over a week and are still using nasal decongestant spray, call our Southfield ENT specialists immediately to make an appointment.
Ways To Curb Allergens
With allergies, avoiding your triggers is a key way to make it easier to breathe. Use an air conditioner in your home and car during warm seasons, cut down on indoor humidity, and always run the exhaust fans when you shower or cook. Vacuum regularly, and use protective mattress and pillow covers, too.
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Can Cats Get Sinus Infections
Can Cats Get Sinus Infections? Viral infection is the most common cause of sudden rhinitis or sinusitis in cats. Feline viral rhinotracheitis and feline calcivirus are most frequently involved. Infection with bacteria frequently occurs after the initial viral infection.
Chronic upper respiratory tract disease is a relatively common problem in cats, and can have many causes. The syndrome refers to chronic disease affecting the nose or the nasopharynx. What are the common causes of chronic upper respiratory tract disease? Dental disease sometimes severe dental disease may result in disease affecting the tooth root that may affect the nasal cavity. Other conditions a variety of other disease may occur, including disease due to facial conformation, nasopharyngeal stenosis, and trauma. Has there been any marked change in appetite or weight cats with URT disease often have a reduced appetite, but marked weight loss may suggest a more severe disease. Treatment of chronic URT disease will depend on the underlying cause.
Why is my cat always congested? Chronic upper respiratory tract disease is a relatively common problem in cats, and can have many causes. The syndrome refers to chronic disease affecting the nose or the nasopharynx .
What Should I Know About Storage And Disposal Of This Medication
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat, light, and moisture . Do not freeze the medication.
Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medicines website for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.
It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location â one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach.
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When Nasal Steroids Are Used
We sometimes prescribe steroid nasal spray in combination with an antibiotic to help patients who have a significant amount of nasal inflammation. While steroid nasal sprays do not cure sinus problems, they can be very helpful in keeping them under control.
People who are suffering from seasonal allergies like hay fever, may only need to use a steroid nasal spray for a few or months. However, other people who have on-going sinus problems may need to use them long-term.
A steroid nasal spray can prove effective if you have:
- A stuffy, blocked nose
How To Use Saline Nasal Washes
You can buy a device such as a neti pot, squeeze bottle, or rubber nasal bulb at your drug store. You can also buy saline solution made specifically for nasal rinses. Or, you can make your own rinse by mixing:
- 1 teaspoons or 5 grams canning or pickling salt
- A pinch of baking soda
- 2 cups warm distilled, filtered, or boiled water
To use the wash:
- Fill the device with half the saline solution.
- Keeping your head over a sink or in the shower, tilt your head sideways to the left. Breathe through your open mouth.
- Gently pour or squeeze the solution into your right nostril. The water should come out the left nostril.
- You can adjust the tilt of your head to keep the solution from going into your throat or into your ears.
- Repeat on the other side.
- Gently blow your nose to remove remaining water and mucus.
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How Sinus Infection Is Treated
The treatment for a sinus infection depends on the type of sinusitis and the source of the inflammation or infection. You might feel better with treatment for your symptoms as your sinus infection resolves.
Acute viral sinusitis can usually resolve on its own, acute bacterial sinusitis can usually be cured with antibiotics, and anti-fungal medications might be needed for treating fungal sinusitis, Getting treatment for allergies that might be contributing to an acute or chronic sinus infection can help, and endoscopic surgery may be needed in some cases of chronic sinusitis.
Treatment of chronic sinusitis may complicated, as abnormal tissue blocking the sinus cavities could require surgery.
Verywell / Tim Liedtke
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About Mometasone Nasal Spray
Mometasone nasal spray is used to treat cold-like symptoms caused by allergic rhinitis. This is inflammation of the inside of the nose that can be brought on by hay fever.
Mometasone is also used to treat other conditions, such as nasal polyps in adults.
Mometasone is a type of medicine known as a steroid . Corticosteroids are a copy of a hormone that your body makes naturally. They are not the same as anabolic steroids.
Mometasone nasal spray is available on prescription for adults and children.
Adults can buy it from pharmacies for treating symptoms caused by allergic rhinitis, where it is often sold as Clarinaze.
It also comes as:
- You need to use mometasone nasal spray regularly for it to work.
- It works by reducing swelling and irritation in your nose.
- The most common side effects are an unpleasant smell and a dry or sore nose or throat.
- Under-18s can only use mometasone nasal spray if their doctor prescribes it.
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What Are The Sinuses How Many Do We Have
A sinus is a hollow, air-filled cavity. For the purposes of this article, a sinus will refer to those hollow cavities that are in the skull and connected to the nasal airway by a narrow hole in the bone . Normally all sinuses are open to the nasal airway through an ostium. Humans have four pair of these cavities each referred to as the:
The four pairs of sinuses are often described as a unit and termed the paranasal sinuses. The cells of the inner lining of each sinus are mucus-secreting cells, epithelial cells, and some cells that are part of the immune system .
Functions of the sinuses include humidifying and warming inspired air, insulation of surrounding structures , increasing voice resonance, and as buffers against facial trauma. The sinuses decrease the weight of the skull. If the inflammation hinders the clearance of mucous or blocks the natural ostium, the inflammation may progress into a bacterial infection.
What Causes Nasal And Sinus Pain
Nasal and sinus membranes respond to viruses, allergic triggers, and common bacterial infections similarly. The membranes become swollen and congested. The congestion then causes pain and pressure. Your mucus production increases during the inflammation. This results in a runny nose. The nasal secretions may begin to thicken and slow the drainage. This can result in a sinus bacterial infection.
When the nasal membranes become congested, it may block the eustachian tubes leading to the ears, which results in a feeling of pressure in the ear or fluid behind the eardrum. Nasal airway congestion causes mouth breathing.
Every year, over 37 million Americans suffer from sinusitis. This includes nasal congestion, thick yellow-green mucus, facial pain, and pressure around the eyes. Frequently, before visiting a doctor, people try to get relief for their nasal and sinus discomfort by taking non-prescription or over-the-counter medications.
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How Does A Nasal Spray Clear Nasal Congestion
Nasal sprays help drainage of mucus from your nasal passages. The topical steroids can also decrease the inflammation of your blood vessels and help empty fluids from your nose. Thats why they are commonly used to help treat sinus infection symptoms. All nasal sprays do not work the same way. Some of these nasal sprays can be addictive and with regular use of these sprays, youll need increasing dosages to relieve your stuffiness. So, its important to use nasal sprays as instructed by our allergists to minimize side effects.
How To Take Nasal Saline Spray
Review the product instructions to determine the best way to use your spray.
For general guidelines, follow these steps:
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Conditions Commonly Treated With Saline Nasal Spray
Saline nasal sprays are commonly used to provide relief for a number of different types of nasal issues with little to no risk due to their lack of medication. Saline nasal sprays are unable to treat the root cause of symptoms associated with different types of congestion, but they may help provide relief for certain symptoms.
Saline nasal sprays are commonly used to help relieve symptoms associated with the following conditions:
- Relief of general nasal congestion and dryness
- Relief of symptoms caused by respiratory allergies
- When breathing cold or dry air that can dry out the nasal passages
- Relief of symptoms caused by hay fever
- Following nasal surgery that leaves the nasal passages feeling dry or crusty
- Relief of symptoms caused by upper respiratory infections such as colds or sinusitis
- Prior to using an inhaler medication
- Prior to using nasal steroid sprays
- Prior to using medicated allergy nasal sprays