Although there is currently no cure there may be good news for those who have COVID-19, according to Amy Baxter, MD. An Atlanta-based doctor known for creative solutions to long-standing medical challenges is recommending nasal irrigation to combat the progression of COVID-19. After considerable research and talking to colleagues who focus on both ear, nose, and throat and pulmonary treatment, Baxter, CEO and founder of Pain Care Labs "believes strongly that nasal irrigation is the key to reducing COVID-19 progression of symptoms and infectivity."
Nasal Irrigation
Nasal irrigation, or a nasal wash, has long been considered an effective way to remove viruses or bacteria from sinus cavities. Baxter has multiple reasons for believing that this approach can be effective in preventing the spread of coronavirus from worsening in a sick patient. Firstly, she says, "SARS-CoV2's viral load is heaviest in sinuses/nasal cavity." According to Baxter, recent clinical trials show that nasal irrigation reduces the duration and symptoms for other viral illnesses like flu and the common cold, though it hasn't yet been studied for COVID-19. However, Vanderbilt is currently launching a clinical trial to evaluate the impact of nasal saline irrigations on viral load in patients with COVID-19 which is very exciting.
Baxter also adds that the total deaths in Southeast Asian countries like Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam are particularly low. "Yes, they wear masks, and yes, they bow and don't shake hands, but the biggest difference between them and places like South Korea or Japan is that nasal irrigation is practiced by 80 percent of people." For anyone exposed to or positive for COVID-19, Baxter recommends nasal irrigation. In short, regular flushing of one's sinus could be an effective way to keep the COVID-19 contagion from building up and entering your lungs and causing potentially fatal respiratory problems.
How to Irrigate
Many health care professionals are now recommending saline irrigation to help reduce the duration and symptoms associated with ordinary corononavirus like flu and the common cold, though it hasn't yet been studied for COVID-19. You can do this quickly and easily at home with the SinuPulse Elite®.
- 16 ounces of distilled, boiled, filtered (1 micron), or bottled water at room temperature or slightly warmed to body temperature.
- 1 packet of our premeasured SinuAir or 1 teaspoon of non iodized salt.
- Pinch of baking soda (1/4 to 1/2 tsp)
- Using the SinuPulse Elite® lean over the sink and irrigate 8 oz into your right nostril while breathing through your mouth. Let it run out the other side of your nose or down into the back of your mouth and spit it out. Repeat with the other half of the solution into your left nostril.
Source(s):
http://www.jogh.org
https://clinicaltrials.gov
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
https://www.nature.com
