[stella2424]

My husband has horrible sinus problems. Stuffy or running nose, headaches, toothaches and it seems to come more frequently. He works around dust, sometimes chemicals, and travels a lot. I suggested the neti pot because of what I had heard and seen on the Oprah show.

So if there is anyone out there that can give me actual experiences it would be great. It might be more convincing to my husband. He might actually try it.

I want my christmas present to have meaning so that it doesn't end up on a shelf somewhere with a plant in it.

Thanks and Merry Christmas.

[johnfinn]

Hi,

I have been using a neti pot for about 4 years either when I get a cold or sinus problems. I find it to be very helpful. It always eases my symptoms and at times seems to help me fight off colds. If I use it without a cold, I can breathe more easily and more deeply.

There is an initial period of adjustment and learning, where you might experience some discomfort, but once you get the hang of it, you can breathe easily as you use it and it is comfortable.

Happy Holidays!

-johnfinn

[Another]

Once your husband starts to use a neti pot he will discover how helpful it is and you too will get your own.

There's a lot of skill involved with it, and it takes some time. I do suggest the following to help you:

-Do not use plain tap water, or, at least amend it with salt: constant sniffing of chlorinated water can dull the sense of smell permanently, and this is a very serious loss of function.

-Make up a mixture of salt and baking soda and find the amount of this that works well in a jar of water. (Google this for a formula.) Then mix up a batch for use for a few days and warm up a small amount in the microwave for use to at least body temperature. The warmth will aid in removing hard matter.

From the Mayo Clinic:
"When you use a neti pot, a homemade saltwater solution is just as effective as an over-the-counter nasal saline rinse or buffered neti pot solution. To make your own neti pot solution, simply dissolve 1/8 teaspoon of table salt into 8 ounces of distilled or purified water — which contains no chlorine or other impurities. You can also use tap water, as long as you bring it to a boil and then cool it to room temperature before you add the salt."

Add a pinch of baking soda to this if you'd like.

-Consider purchase of distilled water to remove the possibility of damage through chlorination. A gallon will last a long time.

-If you're really germ conscious, you can boil up a reserve good for a few days. Let it cool! Of course.

-Or you can just buy packets of this saline mixture from an online seller. (An Indian immigrant has made a real growth industry by selling pots and packets. These aren't too expensive.)