The Science Supporting Nasal Irrigation
According to National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, between 40 to 50 million Americans suffer from allergies or sinus problems and on a yearly basis, American’s endure one billion colds, an average of 4 per year. Americans spend $5.8 billion each year on health care costs related to sinusitis.
Nasal irrigation has been steadily gaining attention as a healthy, all natural solution for the millions who suffer from sinus problems.
From 2000 through 2006, at least five clinical studies have shown that nasal irrigation is effective in improving symptoms and the health status of patients with frequent sinusitis. (See PubMed references below)
Nationally known physicians such as Dr. Mehmet Oz, Dr. Andrew Weil, Dr. Christine Northrup, and Dr. Mark Hyman have recommended nasal irrigation for treating sinusitis, allergies, and colds without side effects.
Medical Studies on Nasal Irrigation:
Rabago D, Zgierska A, Mundt M, Barrett B, Bobula J, Maberry R "Efficacy of daily hypertonic saline nasal irrigation among patients with sinusitis: a randomized controlled trial”. J Fam Pract. 2002 Dec; 51 (12) 1049-55. PMID 12540331.
CONCLUSIONS: Daily hypertonic saline nasal irrigation improves sinus-related quality of life, decreases symptoms, and decreases medication use in patients with frequent sinusitis. Primary care physicians can feel comfortable recommending this therapy.
Rabago D, Pasic T, Zgierska A, Mundt M, Barrett B, Maberry R "The efficacy of hypertonic saline nasal irrigation for chronic sinonasal symptoms”. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2005 July; 133 (1): 3-8. PMID 16025044.
CONCLUSIONS: Participants with chronic sinonasal symptoms reported improved Quality of Life and frequent, satisfying use of hypertonic saline nasal irrigation.
SIGNIFICANCE: hypertonic saline nasal irrigation is an effective adjunctive treatment of chronic sinonasal symptoms.
Tomooka LT, Murphy C, Davidson TM "Clinical study and literature review of nasal irrigation”. Laryngoscope. 2000 July; 110 (7): 1189-93. PMID 10892694.
CONCLUSIONS: Nasal irrigation is effective in improving symptoms and the health status of patients with sinonasal disease.
Heatley, DG, McConnell KE, Kille TL, Leverson GE. "Nasal Irrigation for the Alleviation of Sinonasal Symptoms". Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2001
July; 125 (1): 44.8. PMID 11458213.
CONCLUSION: Daily nasal irrigation using either a bulb syringe, nasal irrigation pot, and daily reflexology massage were equally efficacious and resulted in improvement in the symptoms of chronic sinusitis in over 70% of subjects. Medication usage was decreased in approximately one third of participants regardless of intervention.
Friedman, M; Vidyasagar R, Joseph N (2006 Jun). "A randomized, prospective, double-blind study on the efficacy of dead sea salt nasal irrigations". Laryngoscope. 2006 June; 116 (6): 878-82. PMID 16735920.
RESULTS: Both groups had similar symptoms and RQLQ(S) scores before treatment and had significant improvement after treatment. However, the DSS patients had significantly better symptom relief and only the DSS group showed improved RQLQ(S) scores.