Whether you suffer from allergies or are dealing with cold or flu, congestion is part of the process and it’s no fun!
What Causes Congestion
Contrary to popular opinion, congestion does not occur because of the overproduction of mucus but rather due to the inflammation of the nasal tissue and surrounding blood vessels due to excess fluid retention.
The mucous membranes that line your nose and sinuses become swollen and congested in response to an irritant (allergies) or when exposed to viruses and bacteria (cold, flu, sinus infections) and congested in response to viruses, allergies, and bacteria. This, in turn, causes excess production of mucus in the nose and sinuses in an attempt to protect against the foreign intruders.
What Is Saline And How Does It Work?
Saline nasal sprays in their most pure form contain nothing but a saline solution. Saline is a mixture of 0.9 percent sodium chloride (salt) and water which is identical to the sodium concentration in blood and tears. Saline is naturally occurring in the body and is safe to use by adults and children alike.
Saline nasal sprays provide temporary relief from congestion by hydrating the nasal passages and thinning out the secretions in the nose and sinuses, allowing mucus to flow and flush out germs and irritants that cause inflammation. Saline nasal sprays and flushes are therefore effective for providing temporary relief for congestion caused by allergies, cold/flu, as well as sinus infections. Proper irrigation and drainage of the sinuses not only delivers relief and comfort but by reducing inflammation it also allows the body’s self-healing mechanism to focus on fighting off the offending trigger more effectively.
Why Moist Sinuses Matter
When the mucous membranes lining the nose and sinuses are inflamed and congested in response to an irritant, virus, or bacteria, mucus production is increased. Sometimes these secretions can become too dry causing congestion, sinusitis, pain, and even triggering an ear infection if gone untreated.
Saline nasal sprays are a simple and easy way to keep the sinuses and nasal passages moist and healthy. Saline nasal sprays can also be used as a preventative measure during cold weather for those who have especially sensitive sinuses. Since pure saline is safe for long term use, it can be used regularly and throughout the day to keep the sinuses clear and irrigated.
How To Choose A Saline Nasal Spray
Although saline is an ingredient in many over-the-counter nasal sprays, it is important to take caution when buying a nasal spray. Many saline nasal sprays contain decongestant medications that can be both harmful and habit-forming if used improperly or for more than three days. When choosing a saline nasal spray, make sure to choose “drug-free” formulas or an all-natural formula.
Clear Revive is an all-natural formula, free of medications and irritating preservatives, that provides safe effective relief, naturally.
Unlike many other over-the-counter nasal sprays, Clear Revive is safe for use for kids and during pregnancy. You can read more about the different kinds of nasal sprays and their risk factors in our blog post here.
Conclusion
Saline nasal sprays are a very effective and safe alternative to over-the-counter decongestant nasal sprays and provide immediate short-term relief from congestion. They are also safe for regular use during cold weather season when our sinuses are most dry and vulnerable to irritation.
Not all nasal sprays are made the same. If you are looking for an effective and safe saline nasal spray for you or your family, it is important to check the ingredients, as many products currently in the market also contain artificial decongestants.