We’re all familiar with the dreaded scratchy feeling in the throat that suggests we’ve caught a cold somewhere. One sneeze is all it takes and suddenly you will be paralyzed for several days by coughing, sneezing, headaches or unbearable exhaustion. , however, experts say that there is a simple method by which you can not only shorten the duration of the disease, but also reduce the risk of spreading the virus to other people.
- Saline nasal irrigation can shorten the length of a cold and reduce the spread of the virus.
- The method is cheap and effective for both adults and children.
- You should use the solution at the first signs of infection.
- A sterilized solution is a key condition for safe nasal irrigation.
Viral infections of the upper respiratory tract, better known as the common cold, affect all of us. These pesky ailments don’t respond to antibiotics, so over-the-counter medications are often the only hope for relief.
But in recent years, scientists have demonstrated the effectiveness of a very cheap technique designed to fight the common cold in both adults and children through numerous studies.. It’s a saline nasal rinse that experts say can shorten the length of a cold and reduce your risk of ending up in the hospital. “My patients are usually skeptical, but then tell me it has changed their lives,” said Dr. Mary J. Scourboutakos.
Rinsing the nose can shorten the duration of the illness. (illustrative photo)
Source:
iStock
The expert claims that this practice has many advantages. “First, it physically flushes out impurities from the nasal cavity. This includes not only mucus, but also the virus itself, along with allergens and other pollutants from the environment. Second, salt water has a slightly lower pH than fresh water. Its acidity creates an environment that is inhospitable to viruses and makes it difficult for them to reproduce” she added.
Dr. Scourboutakos recommends using the solution at the first signs of infection. “You can repeat the rinses as often as necessary during the day. At a minimum, you should do them every morning and evening. You can also consider gargling with salt water as a complementary treatment“, she advised.
However, according to Adam Taylor, a professor at the UK’s Lancaster University, protective measures must be taken when applying the solution. In case of incorrect procedure, you can increase the risk of infection and even death.
“When you pour anything into your nose, you run the risk of carrying bacteria into your body. Any liquid must be sterilized. This means that you should never use tap water to flush your nostrils,” he revealed, adding that the cooking and standing process eliminates this risk.
How to prepare homemade saline solution
- Boil two cups of tap water covered for 15 minutes.
- Allow the liquid to cool to room temperature (this ensures that it is sterile).
- Add one teaspoon of non-iodized sea salt
- Stir until the salt dissolves.
- Use a small ceramic pot (called a neti pot) or something you have at home, such as a bottle (make sure it’s thoroughly clean) to apply the solution to your nose.
