The Neti

Not to be confused with The Yeti.

It's a new year and time for better health. Tis the season for colds and sinus infections. We all get them. We all feel miserable.

I used to rarely get sick. Then, I had Ben and something in my body changed, or maybe I'm just getting old. Emily goes to preschool and brings home every germ known to man. She gets a little cold, Ben gets it, then, I get it. David usually escapes it. Maybe because he's not here with them all day while they insist on drinking out of his cup and eating his cereal.

Emily and Ben are usually over it in a few days with sometimes a lingering cough. I, on the other hand, get the gift that keeps on giving. A cold, followed by a secondary sinus infection. It never fails. I can't get just a cold anymore. I always get the sinus infection that goes with it. I used to think it was allergies. I went to an allergy specialist who poked me 78 times and found nothing. Then, he decided to give me 20 more shots, still nothing. I'm allergic to absolutely nothing. After a CT scan of my face, I was diagnosed with a sinus infection. Seriously, 98 shots and all I needed was an antibiotic? Couldn't we have tried that first?

Now I know that I will get a sinus infections with every cold. On the one occasion that I actually went to the Dr. I was hit with a $20 co-pay and $20 for antibiotics. Nice. I can't afford that every month during the winter. Not to mention David had to take 4 hours off of work, so that I could go.

In steps Dr. Oz on Oprah. Okay! I watch Oprah...daily...and I like it! He introduced the world to the Neti Pot. I little device used to clear out your sinuses. I bought one, two actually. David uses it twice a day now. I use it at least once a day. When I get a cold, I will sometimes use it 3-4 times a day. I truly believe that this is helping me with my sinus infections and pressure.

Here's a lovely demonstration.


I'm not sick right now, so this is strictly maintenance. Sometimes, the gunk that comes out of your nose is pretty impressive. When I have a bad cold, I sometimes can't even get water to pour through my nose. If you keep at it though, it will eventually open up and give some relief.

You can purchase a neti pot at any Walgreens or drug store. My Mom got one at Walmart. The neti usually comes with a few solution packets. Then, they want you to buy more for $10. The solution that you use is 3 parts non iodized salt and 1 part baking soda. We found the solution online, so we just mix up a cups worth at a time. David uses 1/2 teaspoon per nostril. I think it's too much for me, so I go with maybe 1/4 teaspoon. Do what works for you.

Honestly, this is the best thing for sinus infections. I get over my colds faster and I feel better while I have them.

Let me know if it works for you.