HOW TO RINSE THE NOSE WITH SALT WATER
(Buffered Hyper-Tonic Saline Nasal Irrigation)

INSTRUCTIONS:

Plan to rinse the nose with the salt water mixture 2 to 3 times each day. Make the salt water and baking soda mixture according to the recipe. You will need a bulb/ear syringe, a large medical syringe (30 cc), or a Water-Pik.

• Pour some salt water mixture into a clean bowl. Many people like to warm the salt water in the microwave oven to about body temperature. Be sure that the salt water is NOT HOT.
• Fill the syringe with salt water from the bowl. DO NOT put your used syringe back into the bowl or jar, as this will contaminate your salt water.
• Stand over the sink or in the shower and squirt the salt water into each side of your nose. Aim the stream toward the back of your head, NOT the top of your head. This lets you spit some of the salt water out of your mouth. It will not hurt if you swallow a little.
• Most people notice a mild burning feeling the first few times they use the salt water mixture. This usually goes away in a few days.

If you use a nasal steroid: You should always use the salt water mixture first, then use the nasal steroid spray, i.e., Flonase®, Vancenase®, Beconase®, or Nasacort®. The steroid medicine will then reach deeper into the nose and sinuses.

RECIPE:

Carefully clean and rinse a 1 quart glass jar. Fill the clean jar with tap water or bottled water. You do not have to boil the water. Add 2 to 3 level teaspoons of pickling/canning salt. DO NOT use table salt. Table salt has unwanted additives. You can ask for pickling/canning salt at the grocery store.

• Add 1 rounded teaspoon of baking soda (pure bicarbonate).
• Stir or shake before each use. Store at room temperature. After a week, pour out any mixture that is left over and make a new recipe.
• If the mixture seems to strong, use less salt - try 1-1/2 to 2 teaspoons of salt.
• For children, it is best to start with a weaker salt water mixture, then gradually increase to using 2 to 3 level teaspoons of salt, or whatever the child will accept.

BENEFITS:

• When you rinse your nose with this salt water and baking soda mixture, it washes crusts and other debris from your nose.
• Salt water pulls fluid out of the swollen membranes of your nose. This decongests the nose and improves airflow. Not only does this make breathing easier, it helps open the sinus passages.
• Studies show that this mixture of concentrated salt water and baking soda (bicarbonate) helps the nose work better and moves mucus out of the nose faster.

If you have questions, please call (913) 764-2737 and ask to speak to your physician's medical assistant.