Rinse Away Medicines
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Dr. J Modi, M.D. Board Certified Pediatrician About the author: Dr. Modi earned his Medical Degree from Pennsylvania State University, Hershey and completed his Pediatric Residency Program at Walter Reed Army Medical Center/National Naval Medical Center. He served as an Active Duty physician for the US Army. Dr. Modi is Board Certified in Pediatric Medicine and was recognized as one of the top five pediatric providers in the Navy. |
As a pediatrician, I have the opportunity to advise and recommend. I am fortunate to have parents who really take my opinion as meaningful. My most favorite recommendation is saline rinse to the nose. It’s good for so many things. I recommend it for asthma, allergies, colds, sleep apnea, recurrent sinus infection and even better athletic performance. This recommendation always makes families skeptical. They are concerned about how it will feel. They are concerned that they may “drown.” They are concerned that the rinse will taste bad. The skeptics have valid concerns but it’s worth challenging. I tell them about the numerous studies detailing the benefits of saline rinse over medications. The skeptism really changes when I tell them that I personally have asthma and allergies. I was on over 4 different medications to include inhalers. With daily sinuses rinses during my allergy seasons, I only take my medications as needed. I wash away the pollen, and it has helped me wash away medications. I always end my conversation with- “just give it a try… after all, it’s just salt water in the nose. It’s got to be safer than all these medications that you want me to prescribe.”
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