A few years ago, I had sinusitis. I went to a number of doctors, including an otorhynolaryngologist. Nothing worked and was advised to have surgery.
A stranger suggested I use garlic powder to treat sinusitis. I was instructed to basically snort tiny mounds of the powder and to be sure to use water. I tried for a while and in a few days was relieved.
Now that I think about it, is this a safe way to treat the infection? Is it really treating it, or doing something else?
Ivan Seeking
Jul20-08, 05:56 PM
I think it is dangerous to try things that are not approved by the medical community or prescribed by a medical doctor. You are essentially playing guinea pig for a stranger.
WarPhalange
Jul20-08, 06:04 PM
Salt water has been shown to work. I wouldn't snort anything. It gets to your lungs... that's not good. But the way salt water work is it goes through one nostril and out the other. The salt water irritates your sinuses, but basically develops calluses so they are not as sensitive.
Ivan Seeking
Jul20-08, 06:13 PM
Salt water has been shown to work.
Any statement like this requires a valid reference. :smile:
Moonbear
Jul20-08, 06:56 PM
The salt water irritates your sinuses, but basically develops calluses so they are not as sensitive.
Um, actually no. Salt water is prescribed (by legitimate doctors) for those who have irritated, overly dry sinuses. It provides moisture WITHOUT irritating them further, because the solution is isotonic. It's not a cure for sinusitis though, mostly just prescribed to alleviate nosebleeds. And you're not supposed to inhale enough to drown yourself, just a little mist.
LowlyPion
Jul20-08, 10:09 PM
Um, actually no. Salt water is prescribed (by legitimate doctors) for those who have irritated, overly dry sinuses. It provides moisture WITHOUT irritating them further, because the solution is isotonic. It's not a cure for sinusitis though, mostly just prescribed to alleviate nosebleeds. And you're not supposed to inhale enough to drown yourself, just a little mist.
Hot as you can stand hot water is a perfectly useful gargle for treating sore throats. It loosens the mucous and infection sites at the back of the throat for bacterial infection and at the very least for viral infection offers additional heat to the inflamed tissue. Any disease matter you expel through the gargling irrigation has got to be a plus.
The idea of it causing callousing though seems a little different from anything I have ever heard about. I've seen mention of drinking apple cider vinegar (with water of course) as something that thins sinus congestion. That I have never wanted to try. I find that a long steaming shower serves to loosen congestion in the sinus.
WarPhalange
Jul20-08, 10:19 PM
Um, actually no. Salt water is prescribed (by legitimate doctors) for those who have irritated, overly dry sinuses. It provides moisture WITHOUT irritating them further, because the solution is isotonic. It's not a cure for sinusitis though, mostly just prescribed to alleviate nosebleeds. And you're not supposed to inhale enough to drown yourself, just a little mist.
Although you're probably right on the mechanism (wow did I ever miss that one...), we're not thinking of the same thing. This is what I was thinking of: