J. has a cold. Not a bad one, just a small head cold including some snuffling, sneezing and red eyes. While Claritin and Mucinex normally work wonders, I have recently been having him use a Neti Pot, something that has helped work wonders on my crappy sinuses.
For those of you unaware, the Neti Pot is a small pot not unlike a watering can, that is filled with warm water and salt (in my case), and poured into your nose. You bend your body over a sink and let the water flow through your sinuses and out the other nostril (if it isn't too clogged up). Sounds rather bizarre, no? I swear by it. Here is a wiki link to find out more about a Neti Pot and even a Neti YouTube Link. (and it is Oprah-approved). While it originated as a Yoga practice, you buy one now from Walgreens! for god-sake. Neti Pot for children? Yes.
So. I bought one from Walgreens for the boy (it is good to keep one per user, you don't wanna share these) and after a few tries he got the hang of it. It is always fun for a 7 year old to pour stuff in your nose and have it shoot out the other side. Not a very hard sell. I know many musicians (trumpet players, singers) that use the old Neti Pot.
Neti! Not just for Yoga Instructors Anymore!
Thursday, October 11, 2007
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6 comments:
Ugh, please help! I am not a dad but a 27-year old woman from Baltimore who has successfully used a neti pot for a few years. I have a cold right now and I'm too clogged to neti - the water goes in one nostril and down my throat. Gag! Please tell me you have a tip or found a way to deal with this.
BTW, good for you for hooking your child up with a neti pot. I think if I'd found one when I was younger it would have saved me a lot of misery later on!
Sorry to hear about your Neti problem! I usually find that when I'm really clogged up from a cold the Neti water really won't go through the nasal passages the right way. I usually lower my expectations and just hope some of the water loosens up some of the mucous. Unfortunately, the time you really want it to flow is when you are the most clogged. Good luck--David
Sorry to hear about your Neti problem! I usually find that when I'm really clogged up from a cold the Neti water really won't go through the nasal passages the right way. I usually lower my expectations and just hope some of the water loosens up some of the mucous. Unfortunately, the time you really want it to flow is when you are the most clogged. Good luck--David
Hi Lisa,
I think I might have an answer for your clog problem! I didn't purchase a Neti-Pot, instead I bought "Ayr Sinus Rinse".
It's the same concept of cleaning out your sinus', but instead of just pouring the water, it's an upright plastic bottle that comes with a hard plastic straw that attaches to the nozzel (as it's intended to be used, while upright).
However, I didn't like the way that felt, so I removed the plastic tube and used the bottle the same way you use the Neti-Pot.
But since this is a soft plastic bottle, you can squeeze the bottle - administering a stronger force (thereby, getting rid of that clog).
I was very clogged the other day (and again this morning), but after giving a GENTLE SQUEEZE - and I do mean (GENTLE), the clog was clogged no longer.
This may be something (you and other readers) may want to try.
Best of luck,
Janette
Lisa, try using warmer water, as hot as you can stand. Also decongestants, despite the side effects, might be a good idea. Then your rinse can get through and carry out any built up nastiness.
Another trick you can try is to fill your nostril with warm saline and hold the pot to your nose, creating the seal. Rock your head forward a little more and back to normal. Do this about a dozen or so times, kind of slow paced. Maybe the suction, pressure and gravity combo will work out.
If you're going to forcefully flush, take the "gentle" caution seriously. You could really hurt your ears this way.
If you do use any decons, add a substantial amount of raw honey or aloe to your saline.
Tbsp of raw honey or tsp of aloe to 8 oz saline. I don't know if pasteurized honey would cause you any problems or not, but the antiseptic qualities don't even compare. Of course, the moisturizing aspect would still be there.
As for the aloe, I've only read about it. So, proceed with caution and be warned. I would try it, though.
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