Using a Neti Pot in Your Gainesville Apartment
Getting a cold or suffering from allergies is never a pleasant experience. If you suffer from seasonal allergies, have a case of the common cold, or have any sort of nasal congestion, then a neti pot may be just what you need to alleviate your discomfort.
The use of neti pots dates all the way back to the beginning of recorded history in ancient India, where the practice was called “Jala Neti,” or “water cleansing” in Sanskrit. A neti pot is small plastic, clay, glass, or ceramic container with a spout that is used for nasal irrigation. Nasal irrigation is the process of cleaning out one’s sinuses by rinsing them with sterilized water.
You can purchase a neti pot online or at pharmacies, supermarkets, or just about any general store. To prepare a neti pot for use, fill it with lukewarm water, making sure that the water has been properly sterilized. You can choose from a number of sterilization options, such as boiling the water beforehand for at least five minutes and letting it cool, or using a saline solution. If you decide to go with the latter, you can either purchase saline solutions at your local drug store, or make your own using purified warm water and sea salt. Use about one teaspoon of salt per one cup of water. Make sure to not use table or industrial salt, as these have chemical additives that may be detrimental to the sterilization process.
To use a neti pot, lean over a sink and slowly pour the sterilized water into one nostril and allow it to drain out of the other. While this may sound unpleasant, if you only breathe through your mouth and tilt your head slightly to one side instead of straight back, the process will be much more comfortable. Also, while the process may seem like a simple and harmless home remedy, make sure to consult your doctor before beginning a neti pot regimen, especially if you suffer from chronic sinus problems.
Hopefully this advice on how to use a neti pot will help you breathe easier. For questions about Bellamay Grand and leasing a Gainesville apartment in our community, please contact our leasing office today.