The symptoms of chronic sinusitis include nasal congestion, anterior rhinorrhea (thin watery discharge from the nose), post-nasal drainage (nasal drainage that drains down the back of your throat), headache, facial pain, halitosis (bad breath) and cough.
A study from the University of Wisconsin, School of Medicine demonstrates that an easy and inexpensive treatment is just as effective at treating these symptoms as the drug therapies.
Researchers recruited 150 people for the study. All participants were over the age of 18 and had to have at least 2 symptoms of chronic sinusitis (see above). All participants were instructed to continue using whatever medication they were using for sinusitis for the duration of the study.
The study consisted of 3 groups, two groups who performed nasal irrigation with hypertonic saline solution (aqueous solutions sodium chloride of greater than 65%)using either a bulb syringe, or with a nasal irrigation pot. The third group in the study used reflexology massage (the irrigation control group).
The groups using irrigation performed daily hypertonic irrigation for two weeks with one method, and then switched to the other method for the next two weeks. The control group performed reflexology massage daily for 2 weeks. The data that was collected included daily medication use, subjective reports from the subjects and preference of those involved as to irrigation method.
Overall 36% of the subjects in the study reported decreased use of sinus medication (these include decongestants, antihistamines, pain relievers and nasal sprays during the study. Neither method of irrigation was preferred by the participants, and neither method was reported as being more effective.
The researchers concluded that the study demonstrated that daily nasal irrigation improves chronic sinusitis and that it is an effective and inexpensive treatment alternative. During the course of the study a number of patients decreased or eliminated the medications they were using. Interestingly the control group (using reflexology) also reported improvement in their symptoms.
If you suffer from chronic sinusitis, you might find this to be an effective treatment. As always be sure to check with your physician who can tell you if this treatment is right for you.
