Rhinosinusitis refers to a variety of symptoms caused by inflammation of the nasal passages and sinuses. The condition can be classified as acute, recurrent acute, subacute, or chronic (1). For any type of rhinosinustisis that is not chronic, the treatment usually lasts between one to two weeks and involves nasal rinsing, antibiotics, and decongestants. Treatment can be either topical, as with a nasal spray or atomizer, or systemic, as with oral antibiotics. Many cases of minor rhinosinusitis will clear without medical intervention. However, patients often seek relief from the painful and uncomfortable symptoms of congestion, facial pain, and excessive mucus production.
What Causes Rhinosinustis?
The sinuses are located around the front of the face surrounding the nose. They can be found in the cheeks, forehead, and between the eyes. When too much mucus builds up in the sinuses it can lead to inflammation and pain. The cause of inflammation in the sinuses is most often a viral or bacterial infection, however it may also be due to an allergic reaction or fungal infection. The inflammation and build of mucus leads to the symptoms associated with rhinosinusitis.
Nasal Cleansing/Nasal Lavage
Cleaning the nasal passages with a saline solution is a technique that has been used for centuries. In modern times it is still prescribed as an adjunctive therapy with antibiotics, antifungals, and steroids. It is also often used by individuals without an infection who simply experience rhinosinusitis from a variety of sources. Most often this is from environmental pollutants that do not necessarily cause an allergic reaction.
Nasal cleansing with a saline rinse can help remove pollutants, antigens, inflammatory byproducts, and more from the sinonasal tract (2). Research supports the use of nasal washing for both adults and children with acute rhinosinusitis as an adjunct treatment and to prevent recurrent infections (3).
Atomized Saline Rinse
Studies have also shown that atomized nasal rinses are more effective than traditional nasal rinses in restoring physiological nasal functions (4). Nasal irrigation with an atomized rinse can reduce dryness in the nasal passages, which may help in clearing mucus in patients suffering from rhinosinusitis.
A nasal saline rinse can be used with the Rhino Clear Sprint atomizer. The atomizer sends a high-powered spray into the nasal passages and sinuses. It is able to reach further than a traditional nasal spray bottle by propelling the rinse at a higher intensity. The Rhino Clear Sprint is ideal for nasal cleansing as it has a separate chamber for collecting discharge.
Atomized Medications
Physicians will sometimes prescribe medications to be used intranasally to treat an infection topically. Nasal treatment with a medication to treat rhinosinusitis is often called topical sinus therapy. This differentiates it from systemic therapy with an oral medication. Systemic treatment has an effect on the entire body and can often lead to unwanted side effects. For the majority of cases of rhinosinusitis, it is not necessary to resort to systemic antibiotics. Topical sinus therapy is ideal for treating the infection topically. The Rhino Clear Sprint however is only for use with a saline nasal rinse.
Research
- Adult Rhinosinusitis: Diagnosis and Management – American Family Physician
- Topical Drug Delivery for Chronic Rhinosinusitis – Current Otorhinolaryngology Reports
- Nasal Douching in Acute Rhinosinusitis – Laryngo- Rhino- Otologie
- Atomized Nasal Douche vs Nasal Lavage – Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery