Grand Canyon Times

Spring arrived on time this year with warmer days, grass growing quickly, flowers blooming and allergic rhinitis, usually known as "hay fever."

One rule of thumb for chronic sinus issues is that it's better out than in, Dr. Brian Lee, an otolaryngologist at Scottsdale Sinus and Allergy Center, told Grand Canyon Times.

"The mainstay in trying to address chronic sinus issues is to (a) get all the old stuff out and (b) to reestablish the normal sinus drainage to allow the nose and the sinuses to function properly," Lee said. "A lot of what happens is that when people get sick, they get better, they go up and they go down over and over and over again. Then you start to build up scar tissue or chronic inflammatory tissue in the sinuses. And that tends to narrow the natural drainage pathways of the sinuses."

Dr. Brian Lee | Scottsdale Sinus and Allergy Center

Last month, Lee was named one of Phoenix's Top Doctors of 2022 by Phoenix Magazine.

Nasal allergies, or allergic rhinitis, account for one of the most common causes of chronic illness in the U.S., according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Hay fever often is triggered by inhaling environmental pollutants, such as tree pollen and other airborne particles, in addition to pet dander, insects and mold.

Allergic rhinitis symptoms include stuffy and runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes and itching of the eyes, nose and roof of the mouth, according to Mayo Clinic. Those who suffer persistent allergic rhinitis, or pollinosis, often experience symptoms year-round.

A solution option that can alleviate symptoms of chronic nasal inflammation is one of the most basic: the Neti Pot. WebMD describes this time-honored form of nasal irrigation as a plastic or ceramic pot "that looks like a cross between a small teapot and Aladdin's magic lamp," which originates from the Ayurvedic/yoga medical tradition.

Research backs up long-time claims that regular use of a Neti Pot, or other nasal irrigation devices, alleviate congestion, as well as facial pain and pressure, for many who suffer from sinus conditions, according to WebMD.

"For some people, nasal irrigation may bring relief of sinus symptoms without the use of medications," WebMD says. "The basic explanation of how the Neti pot works is that it thins mucus and helps flush it out of the nasal passages."

A study published in 2018 by the National Center for Biotechnology Information found that saline nasal irrigation reduced symptoms in the study's 747 participants observed over three months, compared to no rinse at all. The study also found that nasal irrigation is an inexpensive yet effective alternative to steroids and over-the-counter medications.

The study also cautioned that nasal irrigation is a treatment, not a cure, for nasal inflammation and allergies, and symptoms so severe that they interfere with quality of life should be examined by a doctor.

Suffering from hay fever this spring? Click here to take our Sinus Self-Assessment Quiz.