Nasal Saline
Place in Therapy
Place in Therapy
The main role of nasal saline in treating nasal symptoms of cold is one of symptomatic relief.(1,2,3,4,5) The evidence behind nasal saline is rather conflicting in that many studies have found no benefit in using saline to treat nasal symptoms of cold.(4,5) The are some studies support its use, however many of these are small and poorly designed.(2,3) In those few reliable studies supporting the use of nasal saline, benefits include improvement in quality of life of those affected by colds, and decreased use of cold medications, which may provide economic benefits in addition to therapeutic ones.(1) It should be noted that nasal saline only recommended in relieving symptoms of congestion associated with colds as its mechanism of action has no beneficial effect on other symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections. That being said however, nasal saline is safe to use in all populations and has very little in the way of side effects.(5)
As non-pharmacologic therapy is typically recommended for treating nasal symptoms of cold, nasal saline represents a suitable first-line, adjunctive treatment option provided the patient is experiencing nasal congestion in addition to other cold symptoms.(1,5) Nasal saline is particularly useful in special populations such as those who do not wish to use pharmacological treatments, pregnant/lactating women, and pediatrics due to its natural mechanism of action and low side effect profile.(5) Therefore, in these and other populations in which pharmacological treatment of nasal symptoms of cold poses potential adverse effects and contraindications, nasal saline represents a viable and effective alternative in congestion relief.(5)
References
1. Passali D, Damiani V, Passali FM, et al. Atomized Nasal Douche vs Nasal Lavage in Acute Viral Rhinits. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2005; 131:788-790
2. Pynnonen MA, Shraddha MS, Myra Kim H, et al. Nasal saline for Chronic Sinonasal Symptoms. Arch Otol Head Neck Surg. 2007; 133(11): 1115-1120.
3. Tano L, TANO K. A daily nasal spray with saline prevents symptoms of rhinitis. Acta Otolaryngol. 2004; 124:1059-1062.
4. Kassel JC, King D, Spurling GK. Saline nasal irrigation for acute upper respiratory tract infections. Conchrane Database Syst Rev. 2010; 3:CD006821.
5. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. Nasal Irrigation. AccessPharmacy. http://naturaldatabase.therapeuticresearch.com/nd/PrintVersion.aspx?id=1229&&AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1. Updated August 2013. Accessed March 18, 2014.
The main role of nasal saline in treating nasal symptoms of cold is one of symptomatic relief.(1,2,3,4,5) The evidence behind nasal saline is rather conflicting in that many studies have found no benefit in using saline to treat nasal symptoms of cold.(4,5) The are some studies support its use, however many of these are small and poorly designed.(2,3) In those few reliable studies supporting the use of nasal saline, benefits include improvement in quality of life of those affected by colds, and decreased use of cold medications, which may provide economic benefits in addition to therapeutic ones.(1) It should be noted that nasal saline only recommended in relieving symptoms of congestion associated with colds as its mechanism of action has no beneficial effect on other symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections. That being said however, nasal saline is safe to use in all populations and has very little in the way of side effects.(5)
As non-pharmacologic therapy is typically recommended for treating nasal symptoms of cold, nasal saline represents a suitable first-line, adjunctive treatment option provided the patient is experiencing nasal congestion in addition to other cold symptoms.(1,5) Nasal saline is particularly useful in special populations such as those who do not wish to use pharmacological treatments, pregnant/lactating women, and pediatrics due to its natural mechanism of action and low side effect profile.(5) Therefore, in these and other populations in which pharmacological treatment of nasal symptoms of cold poses potential adverse effects and contraindications, nasal saline represents a viable and effective alternative in congestion relief.(5)
References
1. Passali D, Damiani V, Passali FM, et al. Atomized Nasal Douche vs Nasal Lavage in Acute Viral Rhinits. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2005; 131:788-790
2. Pynnonen MA, Shraddha MS, Myra Kim H, et al. Nasal saline for Chronic Sinonasal Symptoms. Arch Otol Head Neck Surg. 2007; 133(11): 1115-1120.
3. Tano L, TANO K. A daily nasal spray with saline prevents symptoms of rhinitis. Acta Otolaryngol. 2004; 124:1059-1062.
4. Kassel JC, King D, Spurling GK. Saline nasal irrigation for acute upper respiratory tract infections. Conchrane Database Syst Rev. 2010; 3:CD006821.
5. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. Nasal Irrigation. AccessPharmacy. http://naturaldatabase.therapeuticresearch.com/nd/PrintVersion.aspx?id=1229&&AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1. Updated August 2013. Accessed March 18, 2014.