KNOW WHAT YOUR NOSE KNOWS BEST

THE LINING IN THE NOSE AND SINUSES FUNCTIONS AS A FILTER, HUMIDIFIER, AND HEATER OF INHALED AIR. IT IS THEREFORE PART OF THE NON-SPECIFIC IMMUNE SYSTEM, AND OUR FIRST LINE OF DEFENCE AGAINST GERMS, INHALED DUST, ALLERGENS, EXTREME AIR TEMPERATURES OR VERY

Proper functioning relies on moist, clean membranes. Any drying, crusting or other interference can make us more susceptible to infections or allow them to spread to the lungs.

Establishing and maintaining healthy airways is easy, costeffective and often overlooked. It can even be considered an immune-boosting intervention.

Hypertonic saline used as a nasal rinse, nasal spray or in nebulised form has been an integral part of respiratory medicine in many cultures for thousands of years.The benefits include cleansing, liquefying of mucus and secretions, easing of swollen membranes (decongestion), and triggering the production of clear mucus.

Nasal rinsing should be the first-line intervention in the treatment of a cold, flu or sinusitis and will help reduce the severity, duration and complications of the infection. It is recommended above flu and cold medicines aimed at “drying up” the cold, as this often leads to thicker secretions which can’t be cleared by the membranes, and therefore increases the risk for secondary infections.

Regular use of hypertonic saline as a nasal rinse or spray is recommended for the prevention of these ailments.

Effective prevention and treatment of airway infections also cuts the use of unnecessary or even harmful medication. The resulting diminished use of antibiotics is an impor tant step towards reducing the ever-increasing problem of antibiotic resistance.