Inexpensive Treatment Most Effective for Sinus Problems
November 27, 2007
(Ivanhoe Newswire) – Millions of people suffer from sinus problems. A new study finds simply flushing the nasal passages with a salt water mixture is an effective method for treating chronic nasal and sinus symptoms. The study finds such saline irrigations are even more effective than nasal sprays.
Study authors from the University of Michigan Health System say this is the first study of its kind to look at saline irrigation versus saline spray. The study included 121 adults who suffered from chronic nasal and sinus symptoms. Sixty of the participants were treated with saline irrigation and 61 were treated with saline spray. The participants’ symptoms were measured using an outcome test and answering questions.
Researchers say both treatment groups had a decrease in frequency and severity of symptoms, however, the saline irrigation had more substantial improvements. The irrigation group had a significant improvement in quality of life in terms of severity of symptoms, whereas the spray group did not. They also had 50 percent lower odds of frequent nasal symptoms compared with the spray group.
Saline sprays have often been used as an alternative to irrigation because it was believed they were just as effective. But this research reveals nasal irrigation is more effective. Study authors point out that the additional benefit is that nasal irrigation is a very cheap and very safe treatment.
SOURCE: Archives of Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery, 2007;133:11