The purpose of this column is to provide the reader with useful, practical information gleaned from recent research studies. One such study from the recent meeting of the European Respiratory Society reported that hypertonic saline nose drops, 3%, which is the concentration of sodium chloride in seawater, reduced the duration of symptoms from an upper respiratory infection by two days.
Specifically, this study was conducted on children up to 6 years of age but should also apply to other age groups. The children were given five days of hypertonic saline nose drops three times per day for five days. The results were striking in that symptoms were reduced from eight days to six days and, amazingly, fewer household contacts developed an upper respiratory infection.
If you cannot find hypertonic saline at your pharmacy, here’s the do-it-yourself recipe:
- In a typical 3-ounce dropper bottle which can be bought at the pharmacy, add half a teaspoon common table salt
- Then add 3 ounces of distilled water and shake until the salt is completely dissolved.
Using this solution, give three drops of the solution to each nostril three times a day when the common cold strikes.
For a good review of saline use in all respiratory conditions see an article by Danijela Stanfel in: Marine Drugs here.
Dr. Barnett is providing his expertise on health and wellness management through his weekly column at KnoxTNToday.com
