Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Neti Pot, Part 2

In my last post I discussed what a neti pot is, what it's for, and theories behind it's efficacy. But what I was most curious about this thing was: does it work? How does it feel?

As I've stated, I have a fear of drowning. So, I was not looking forward to intentionally running water up my nose. But desperation overtook worry and I decided to go for it. I went to my local drugstore/pharmacy and found a neti pot. This one happened to come with solution packets. I have also experimented with making my own saltwater solution, which for me works just as well as their packets. As making my own is more ecological than opening a tiny packet every day, when I run out I will continue with my homemade solution.

It took me a few tries to let the water run through. The first night I tried about 4 times and only succeeded in rinsing out one nostril at a time. The next day, I was able to get some flow through. The sensation does take a little getting used to, but after this first flow through attempt, I was already breathing remarkably better. I didn't even realize that I was having a problem breathing before my rinse. So, even if you have a great dislike of water up your nose, I think you will find the result to be worth it.

After a few days of daily rinsing, did I feel any difference? Yes! My nasal passages were definitely clearer, and my post nasal drip was significantly reduced. I consider the neti pot a lifesaver. I also immediately stopped feeling the need to constantly clear my throat. My husband was very happy with that. Next week: Devil's advocate... are there negatives to the neti pot?

I'm thinking that for those with allergies that acupuncture does not seem to help - this may be a good addition to their personal care routine. Could it be that acupuncture does help these people, but that, anatomically speaking, they are still retaining too many allergens to stop their symptoms? I think it's a great theory...

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Oral Hygiene Linked to Heart Health

Do you need some more inspiration to floss daily? How about a healthier heart?

A study published in the British Medical Journal in May 2010 showed a link between cardiovascular disease and poor dental hygiene. According to their survey, people that do not brush their teeth twice a day were more likely to have cardiovascular events and their blood showed inflammation markers.

One theory is that the build up of germs in the mouth can lead to irritation in other parts of the body. One thing we know for sure - chronic inflammation of the body is not a good thing - so brush and floss your teeth! The study abstract can be ready here: http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/340/may27_1/c2451

Are you interested in staying well? Regular acupuncture sessions can help! Visit my website, www.AcuSpaWellness.com for more info on acupuncture and wellness.

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Nasal Congestion: What's a Neti Pot?

As many of you may well know, this has been a horrible year for allergies. Allergies to things like pollen lead to symptoms like runny rose, post-nasal drip, and sneezing and irritated eyes.

Driven by desperation, I decided I needed to take action for my post-nasal drip. My Western doctor said the only things she had to offer were nasal steroid sprays or pills for allergy relief. These would need to be taken whenever my allergies acted up. This would not do, as I was looking for a way to deal with the real problem, not just ignore the symptoms.

And so I have turned to the neti pot. What's a neti pot? It's a small pot that people put a salt water mixture into and run through their nose. The liquid goes in one nostril and comes out the other.

I have a great fear of being underwater and of drowning, so this is especially challenging for me. After doing some reading, I discovered that there are theories out there that stuff that is stuck on the surface of the mucous membranes could lead to allergies and the offending post-nasal drip. Rinsing this offending build up would then remove the actual source of irritation. Tune in next week for how this feels and if it works for me!

If you are willing to put in the time, acupuncture is effective for most people for allergies. It does take some patience, as the results are not immediately apparent as they are with many other conditions. For more info please visit my website at www.AcuSpaWellness.com