The importance of nasal washes

Nasal irrigation is a practice of personal hygiene with which breathing is improved. This technique removes dirt and other debris from the nasal passages, since impurities are carried along by the water. Occasionally, the expression jala neti is also heard, which is a traditional yoga practice that cleans the nose through nasal irrigation. The word jala in Sanskrit (classical Indian language) means "water" and neti, "to guide"; therefore, jala neti means to guide the water through the nasal passages to clean them. Here is how it is done and what its benefits are.

The importance of nasal washes The use of the handkerchief dates back to the sixteenth century, but the entire mechanism of nasal cleansing is prepared to evacuate secretions from the nostrils to the throat Nasal irrigation or nasal irrigation is a practice of personal hygiene with which breathing is improved. This technique removes dirt and other debris from the nasal passages, since impurities are carried along by the water. Occasionally, the expression jala neti is also heard, which is a traditional yoga practice that cleans the nose through nasal irrigation. The word jala in Sanskrit (classical Indian language) means "water" and neti, "to guide"; therefore, jala neti means to guide the water through the nasal passages to clean them.

Here is how it is done and what its benefits are.

How to perform the nasal wash correctly

To begin with, it is necessary to have a suitable utensil for the nasal shower. There are many neti jars in the market. Most carry a spoon that will be very useful to prepare the water with adequate salinity for the mucosa.

How to use a neti jar?

 The steps to follow are these (it is important to pay attention to the way you sound):

1. Fill the carafe with warm water.

2. Add a teaspoon of sea salt.

3. Stir to mix the water and sea salt.

4. The head is tilted forward, the funnel is placed in one of the holes and the head is turned to the side, until the water passes to the other side.

5. Half of the solution is poured into one nostril allowing it to exit through the other, breathing through the mouth.

6. This process is repeated on the other side.

7. Gently remove the air through the nose to expel the rest of the water.

8. At the end of the process, it must be incorporated and dried.

9. Subsequently, it is important to blow your nose gently out without closing both nostrils at the same time.

10. Finally, you have to blow your nose again, but inwardly.

Although it seems strange, what is commonly called "snot snot" is the most physiological way to eliminate excess secretions from the nose. The use of the handkerchief to clean the nose only goes back to the sixteenth century, coinciding with the first epidemics of contagious diseases in the cities. The hair on the nose and all the nasal cleaning mechanism is prepared to evacuate secretions from the nasal passages to the throat.

Beware of blowing yourself quickly and loudly! It could hurt your ears.

Common mistakes and how to solve them

The water reaches the throat and we can not breathe. Solution: bend the head more.

The water does not come out the other side. Solutions: bend the head more, check that the duct of the jar is not against the septum or, if there is an excess of secretions, make several tests throughout the day.

We have finished the water and we still notice that the nostrils are not clean. Solution: in this case we will repeat the process.

When we sound we hear that the ears are covered. Solutions: we decrease the strength and pressure when we sound, we prioritize the technique of "sucking the nasal secretions" or we sound with both nostrils covered at the same time.

Water and secretions continue to fall after a while of having washed our noses. Solution: in this case we repeat the washing.

When to do a nasal wash and when it should not be done

A nasal wash should not be applied, if there is heavy nasal bleeding, after endoscopic nasal surgery or if swallowing problems occur.

The best time to clean your nose is every morning, at the beginning of the day, to keep the nostrils clean. It is also advisable to do so after being exposed to mites or allergen, in case of being allergic, to reduce the possible symptoms. If you suffer from sleep apnea, it is advisable to wipe your nose before going to sleep.