User:Warfieldian/draft re-write neti pot



A neti pot is a device used for irrigation of the nasal passages. A typical neti pot consists of a liquid container with a handle and a spout on the opposite side. The neti pot's main uses include the treatment of the nasal symptoms related to acute sinus infections and also more chronic sinonasal symptoms related to allergic or vasomotor rhinitis.

Construction
Neti pots can be made from clay, glass, various metals, plastic, or ceramic.

History
The origins of nasal irrigation are understood to be in the ancient Hindu practice of Ayurveda whose roots are traced to the Vedas.

In modern times, saline nasal irrigation (SNI) has become more widely accepted as a home remedy to relieve conditions such as allergies, colds and mild sinus infections. Preliminary research indicates that SNI could also be an effective treatment for allergic rhinitis and chronic sinusitis. . A conference abstract presented in November 2009 indicated that frequent nasal irrigation led to higher rates of sinus infections. Short term use, however, seemed to be effective.

Use
Neti pots flush out the nasal cavities by using gravity to draw the flow of saline. Some modern variants available from pharmacies are made of flexible plastic and can be compressed to exert additional pressure. In recent years alternative strategies have been developed, including bulb syringes in which the flow is created by squeezing a bulb and more advanced 'pulsatile devices' which mechanically pump the saline.

Bulb syringes provide the user with complete control over the pressure. Pulsatile devices either pump at a constant pressure or require the user to turn a control knob. Neti pots, on the other hand, require the user to turn the head (with the neti pot inserted) in order to control the pressure.

The use of a neti pot requires mixing up a saline solution that will be poured through the nasal passages. A typical saline solution is a mixture of around 500 ml of water with 5 g of salt. Sodium bicarbonate is sometimes added (2.5 g) to buffer the solution and make it more gentle on the sinuses, but the effectiveness of this is unproven. The neti pot used with a saline solution has been shown to be an effective treatment for hay fever, sinusitis, and other nasal conditions. Both isotonic and hypertonic saline is used for Neti.