Nasal Irrigation: Salty Facts You Should Know
Hana Solomon, M.D.
October 17, 2007
1. Most popular, supersaturated with salt
2. Shrinks swollen membranes via osmosis by drawing fluid out of swollen tissues
3. Saltier than the body
4. Improves mucus flow
5. Thins thick sticky secretions effectively
6. Improves the filtering efficiency of the nose
7. Washes out irritants that cause allergies
8. Is as safe as ocean water
9. Can improve both sense of smell and bad breath
10. Reduces the need for some medications when used on a regular basis
11. Reduces the frequency of the common cold if used regularly
12. Bacteriostatic…unfriendly environment for infectious particles
13. May sting or burn during initial use, tolerance develops over time
Isotonic solution
1. Isotonic means the solution has the same salt concentration as the body
2. Removes some irritants
3. Any washing is better than no washing!!!
Buffered Solution
1. Higher pH w sodium bicarbonate improves mucus flow
2. Augments healing of tissues
3. Soothes membranes
4. Increases filtering
5. Dramatically increases amounts of ‘inflammatory mediators (allergens) which are removed during nasal washing
Interesting Facts
1. Normal pH of nose 5.3- 7.0
2. Nasal mucus pH of adults 5.5-6.5
3. Nasal mucus pH of infants and children 5.0-6.7
4. Best pH to foster mucus clearance 6.9-9.5
5. Higher pH w sodium bicarbonate improves mucus flow
Hana R Solomon, MD
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