FitSugar

Neti Pot Possible Cause of Two Deaths: How to Use One Safely

Jenny Sugar — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 10:09:31 PST

Flushing your nasal passages with warm salt water can do wonders for congestion and sinus pain caused by colds and allergies, but use a neti pot improperly, and it could result in death. Louisiana's state health department has issued a warning for neti pots in response to two deaths thought to be linked to improper neti pot use. Both victims filled their neti pots with regular tap water instead of the manufacturer-recommended distilled or sterilized water.

Louisiana state department health officials believe deadly brain-eating amoebas known as Naegleria fowleri, which can live in tap water, entered into the victims' bodies through their noses, then made their way into their brains. The amoeba then infected each victim with a neurological disease called primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), which quickly destroys brain tissue, usually killing in a matter of days.

Scary, I know, but don't throw out your neti pot just yet. Keep reading to find out how to safely irrigate your sinuses.

Must-Know Tips For Neti Pot Newbies

Jenny Sugar — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 00:03:57 PST

Whether it's a nasty cold or allergies causing your congestion, it may be time to give a neti pot a whirl. This teapot-looking device may seem a little odd at first glance, but it's recommended by ear, nose, and throat doctors to relieve nasal congestion and pain. To a newbie, using a neti pot may seem torturous, but with a few helpful hints, you'll be a neti-pot know-it-all in no time. Watch this video showing how to use a neti pot and keep these important tips in mind.

Go for plastic: Metal and ceramic pots might be pretty, but they tend to break or warp when dropped. A plastic neti pot (I like Rhino Horn neti pots) is lightweight, easy to travel with, a cinch to clean, and you don't have to worry about it shattering if it accidentally drops on your bathroom floor.
Type of salt: There's no need to splurge on special salt to use with a neti pot. Regular table salt works fine, but be sure it's not iodized, as that can cause irritation. Follow the directions that your neti pot came with and measure out the salt exactly rather than eyeballing the amount. Typically the ratio is one teaspoon of salt to 16 ounces of water.

Keep reading for more neti pot newbie tips.

5 Healthy Things You Can Do in the Shower

Jenny Sugar — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 13:20:18 PST

Taking a shower mostly entails washing your hair and shaving your legs, but here are a few more quick things you should make time for that will benefit your health.

Source: Thinkstock

How to Beat the Worst Pollen Season Ever

FitSugar — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 03:00:22 PDT

My allergies are horrible this year, probably the worse they've ever been. I am not alone either. According to the Associated Press, experts are saying pollen is at an all-time high, and the words "allergy" and "pollen" are constantly trending on Twitter:

"It's wicked bad this year," said Dr. Mona Mangat, an allergy specialist in St. Petersburg, FL., who can't recall a worse year in the six she's worked there. "We're just overwhelmed with patients right now. We're double- and triple-booked with new patients, trying to work people in because we know how much people are suffering."

If you suffer from allergies then you know how bad it can be: sneezing, itchy eyes, runny nose, and constant headaches are just some of the symptoms. And for many, taking a Claritin or something of the like just doesn't cut it. If you're having an especially bad time this year, my first piece of advice is to visit an allergist and find out what your specific allergies are, and the best way to treat them. There are however, some home remedies you can also try.

Local honey. Many folks I know take a tablespoon of honey a day to combat allergies. The belief is that ingesting the bit of local pollen from honey builds resistance to the surrounding fauna.
Heat therapy. Warmer temperature is a great way to relieve congestion. Try exercising more or investing in a humidifier.
Buy a neti pot. Neti pots are a natural way to get the same benefits as a Sudafed gives but without the side effects. It's a small container that you fill with warm salt water, and use to flush out your nasal passages. Caution: don't rely on a neti pot too much, it can cause problems if used for a prolonged period.

Neti Pot Use Could Cause Sinus Problems?

FitSugar — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:15:00 PST

Pollen and cat fur are not my friends, and when I become so stuffed up I can't smell a thing, I turn to my neti pot. It looks like a little teapot. You fill it with warm salt water, place the spout in one nostril and as the water passes through your nasal passages and comes out the other nostril; it helps get rid of irritants and mucus so you can breathe easier. I know it sounds medieval, but it really works whether I'm stuffed up from smelling flowers or if I have a cold. Last Spring I was happy to hear that science backed up the use of a neti pot to relieve congestion, but I've got some bad news for my fellow neti pot lovers. A new study shows that long-term use of the neti pot can actually cause sinus problems. The study followed 68 people who used their neti for a year, and then took a break for a year. The rate of sinusitis actually dropped by 62 percent in the year that the participants stopped using the neti pot.

Researchers believe that the mucus in your nasal passages acts as a defense against infection, and flushing it away disrupts your body's immune function. They recommend that neti pots be used every once in a while to relieve congestion, but should not be used daily for an extended period of time. If you have issues with constantly being stuffed up, see your doctor so they can help figure out the cause of your congestion and how to treat it.

If you've never heard of a neti pot and want to see how it's used, check out a how-to video when you

read more.
Source: Flickr User Thirteen Of Clubs

Cold and Flu Tip: Neti Pot Instead of Decongestants

FitSugar — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 03:00:00 PST

It's cold and flu season and just about everyone I know is sniffling, sneezing, and all stuffed up. To deal with these nasal symptoms, you can pop decongestants like Sudafed, but they'll cause annoying side effects like dry mouth, sore throat, and headaches, and can lead to sinusitis. Plus if you think about it, your body creates all that mucus to help flush the germs out. So why would you want to turn off your body's natural response? It means the germs will just stay in your body.

You can help get rid of the germs and mucus by using a neti pot. It's a small container that you fill with warm salt water, and use to flush out your nasal passages. Think of it as a bath for your nose.

To see a video of the neti pot in action,

read more. Once you try it, you'll be hooked. It's not only great for colds, but also good if you suffer from congestion caused by allergies. For detailed instructions on how to use the neti pot click here. Does anyone else think that gal in the photo looks an awful lot like Reese Witherspoon, or is it just me?

5 Things: To Fight Bad Breath

FitSugar — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 08:45:00 PDT

Everyone suffers from the occasional bad breath, but it can be an embarrassing problem if you're dealing with it all the time. Of course brushing your teeth, using mouthwash and not smoking are well-known ways to prevent bad breath, but here are a few others.

Every time you eat, brush and floss your teeth. Food particles that remain in your mouth and in between your teeth collect bacteria. The bacteria emits hydrogen sulfur vapors. So keep a toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss in your purse or desk so you can clean your mouth after your morning coffee, your lunch, and your mid-afternoon snack. Not only will brushing and flossing keep your mouth clean, but I know when my breath is minty fresh, I'm less likely to snack between meals.
Certain foods such as onions, garlic, and alcohol can cause bad breath. After they are consumed, they are absorbed into your bloodstream, carried to your lungs and given off in your breath until the food is eliminated from your body. Avoiding these foods can prevent this stinky problem.
If you have allergies, sinus infections, or post nasal drip, the nasal discharge in the back of your throat can cause bad breath (gross I know, but true). Try to figure out the cause of your symptoms. If you are allergic to something, like cats, try to avoid your triggers. Using a neti pot can also help to flush allergens out of your nose. If you have a sinus infection, be sure to take antibiotics to get rid of the infection.

Want to hear what else may help bad breath? Then

Dry mouth can also contribute to bad breath since saliva helps to cleanse and moisten your mouth. A dry mouth allows dead cells and bacteria to accumulate on your gums, tongue and teeth. When these cells decompose, they cause that foul smell. (Morning breath is caused by a dry mouth). It's important to note that certain medications such as decongestants and allergy meds can cause dry mouth too. If you have issues with dry mouth, try to drink more water. If you are taking allergy meds, and your bad breath annoys you more than your sneezing and runny nose, then you may want to consider ditching your meds.
Get yourself a tongue scraper. Use it twice a day to clean your tongue and get rid of excess bacteria.

Source

Allergies and Chronic Sinusitis

FitSugar — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 12:30:00 PDT

Many people suffer from seasonal allergies this time of year, and many people may also suffer from perennial allergies all year round, to pet dander and dust mites.

Allergy symptoms may include itchy, watery eyes, an itchy throat or mouth, or a runny nose. Other people may experience severe sinus congestion. The sinuses are air-filled cavities found in the bones of the head and face. There are 4 pairs of sinuses (8 in all), located on either side of the nose in your cheeks, behind and between the eyes, in the forehead, and at the back of the nasal cavity.

Sinus congestion can be caused by excessive amounts of mucus clogging up your sinuses, or if the mucus is thick and sticky. It can also happen if the lining of your sinuses becomes irritated by allergens. This causes swelling, which narrows down the passages, and make it harder for mucus to get out.

When this happens, mucus gets trapped in your sinuses. Similar to standing water, trapped mucus makes an excellent breeding ground for bacteria, viruses, and fungi to grow. This can cause sinusitis. Acute sinusitis happens if you've had a cold and you have symptoms for more than 2 weeks. Chronic sinusitis will be diagnosed if you're having symptoms that last more than 3 months.

Symptoms of both may include:

fever
persistent nasal congestion, and discharge that is often yellow or green
daytime cough due to post-nasal drip (may be worse at night or when you lie down)
puffy eyes or tenderness around them
headache or pain in the face or behind your eyes

What can you do if you have allergy-induced chronic sinusitis? To find out

read more Your doctor may prescribe a course of antibiotics, sometimes for several months. If those don't work (and they won't if you continue being exposed to the allergen that's causing your nasal congestion), your doctor may then suggest you get a CT scan so they can take a look at your sinuses. You may have a physical problem, such as nasal polyps (non-cancerous growths inside your nose), or a deviated septum causing mucus to get blocked. Your doctor may even recommend sinus surgery to remove all the mucus and widen your sinuses. Many people who have allergies and have had this surgery, complain that their symptoms just come back. Well duh - you've got to get rid of what's causing the symptoms in the first place. Fit's Tips: Talk to an allergist, get tested, and find out exactly what you are allergic to. Sometimes, those tests don't tell you much, so in that case, you can also try taking allergy pills like Zyrtec or Singulair, or nasal sprays like Flonase to alleviate your nasal congestion. Or use a neti pot to flush the allergens out of your nose. If your nose isn't stuffy, it can't clog your sinuses, right? That means you can say goodbye to chronic sinusitis. Source

Milk, Mucus, and You: The Congestion Connection

FitSugar — Thu, 31 May 2007 08:45:00 PDT

If you suffer from seasonal allergies, and your symptoms involve nasal and sinus congestion 24-7, you may want to take a look at the dairy in your diet.

Dairy products like milk, cheese, yogurt, and ice cream may be making your allergy symptoms worse. Casein, the naturally occurring protein in dairy products, can promote the formation of mucus. It can also make existing mucus thicker in your nose and sinuses, leaving you completely congested. It may also cause a runny nose or the ever annoying post nasal drip.

Of course, conventional doctors may not agree with the notion that dairy promotes mucus (there's no scientific evidence, but maybe because there have been no studies - I don't know), but many people swear that ditching dairy has cured their sinus problems. So if you are curious, you'll have to test the theory yourself. Try eliminating all things dairy for at least 1 to 2 weeks and see how you feel. It's made a world of difference for me, my nose and my sinuses, so I definitely think it's worth a shot.

Here's a cool tidbit of info - casein is also used to make adhesives, like glue, beer bottle labels and wood glue used in furniture. Think about it - if casein can make two objects stick together, imagine what it can do to your sinuses.

Fit's Tips: To help relieve congestion in your nose and sinuses, try using a neti pot. Not only does it get rid of mucus, but it helps to flush dust and allergens out of your nose that can make you stuffy in the first place.

Source

Neti Pot in the Hands of the WRONG Guy

FitSugar — Sat, 12 May 2007 02:30:00 PDT

You know what a HUGE fan I am of the neti pot (especially the Rhino Horn). It's great for cleaning out dust, pollen, and congestion from your nose and sinuses.

This guy has definitely got the WRONG idea.

Want to see the RIGHT way, then