Nasal irrigation
A nasal lavage or nasal douche is the introduction of a liquid (usually isotonic saline) into the nasal cavity.
Nasal irrigation are commonly known as home remedies, there are, however, studies in terms of evidence-based medicine before that yielded an efficacy of acute symptoms of rhinitis ( runny nose ordinary ) and in the prevention ( prevention). There are also indications that the long-term and preventive nasal irrigation can have the opposite effect: A study of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology concluded that in patients with recurrent inflammation of the sinuses that their habit of regular flushing the nasal tasks, the frequency of recurrent inflammation by 63 % decreased.
Indication
Rhinitis is the classic area of application. According to one study, in an isotonic saline solution was used in children, the extent of nasal congestion and nasal discharge was present significantly reduced compared to a control group without nasal irrigation in the acute phase of a rhinitis. In the prevention phase, showed less secretion, sore throat and cough, it had less antipyretic or decongestant medicines are used and also significantly fell to fewer sick days. A study from Germany comes in adults at a comparable result.
In yoga it serves as a ritual purification technology, the term Jala neti (Sanskrit, f, जल नेती, jala neti ) and to clean the nasal passages and sinuses.
In infections of the nose a nasal irrigation can in principle also be used diagnostically to identify potential pathogens in the rinsing liquid can. This is of some viral pathogens (eg, influenza viruses, rhinoviruses ) for the diagnosis of the method with the highest diagnostic accuracy.
Mechanism of Action
The nasal irrigation to the mechanical cleaning function under physiological conditions existing, low liquid flow ( liquid and particles transported epithelium ) on the nasal mucosa replace. If this cleaning function affected by drought, pollution, mucus, or as a result of radiation therapy ( radiotherapy), so can pathogens (eg viruses ) easily penetrate the cells of the nasal mucosa and infect them. In addition, the nasal irrigation is to increase the activity of the ciliated epithelium. In this activity, factors such as natural temperature variations during the year, viruses or noxious substances such as metal, wood or other dust control. The latter may even lead to a loss of cilia of the ciliated epithelium. At the stage of convalescence after a viral infection, the nasal irrigation can support the this limited self-cleaning mechanism of the nasal mucosa. When rinsing solution typically find isotonic salt solutions (corresponding to 9 grams of salt or 2 teaspoons to 1 liter of liquid) use.