This blog is #15 in a series of blogs in the form of questions or statements about a health issue and answers. These are in the typical format used when doctors take tests.
Question #15
The Cochrane Collaboration has reported that saline nasal irrigation is an effective adjunctive therapy for which of the following?
- Chronic sinus symptoms
- Chronic rhinosinusitis
- Allergic rhinitis
- Acute rhinosinusitis
That’s correct! #1.
The best research supports nasal irrigation for chronic sinus symptoms. There is little data to support its use for allergic conditions or acute sinusitis. Despite the lack of data, the mechanism of action and the safety of the procedure make it a reasonable therapeutic option for these other allergies and acute infection.
My Vive: I believe the statement in the explanation, “the mechanism of action and the safety of the procedure make it a reasonable therapeutic option,” is very important. Functional Medicine practitioners tend to use a lot of interventions that fall under this category. Examples are using food as medicine, stress management techniques such as meditation, sleep hygiene, exercise, vitamin D, etc…
“Got a Revolution, got to Revolution.” Jefferson Airplane
Dr. David Bilstrom
Autoimmune Functional Medicine Doctor
