Galen's Watch

The Benefits and Cautions of Nasal Irrigation

Nasal irrigation with saline solution has become known as an effective way to clear nasal mucous. It is often reccomeneded for infants and children as a gentil way to clear the nasal passages. Many products are now available at the pharmacy for adults and children to use. Many people who have chronic sinusitis swear by this therapy.  A useful review of nasal irrigation from Medscape can be found here.

Human nature seems to bring with it the motto if a little is good, a lot is better. A recent study by the Watergate Allergy & Asthma Center in Washington shows that long term daily use of nasal irrigation can make an individual more susceptible to sinus infections. The use of nasal irrigation is effective for short term therapy of upper respiratory infections but long term use should be tempered.

If nasal irrigation is new to you or your patients then here is a brief description of the method.

Sabra Way MNIMH

Editor in Chief and Founder, Galen's Watch

 Galen's Watch reports on complementary and alternative medical literature that is relevant to CAM practitioners. Visit our journal watch service and see the medical journals we scan regularly.

 

Is Vapor Rub Dangerous for Children?

A new study recently came out about the safety of Vicks Vaporub in young children.  The new study suggests that it stimulates mucus production therefore possibly causing respiratory distress. Although the study was done with Vicks vaporub it can be extrapolated to any vapor rub product. 

 

Walter Jessen discusses the study  that supports this in depth on the blog Highlight Health. What is interesting is when you examine the study it does not show an increase  in mucus production for humans using vapor rub

 

These results do not demonstrate that Vicks VapoRub causes respiratory distress. This study principally shows two things. One: in an inflamed ferret airway, which is a model for human airway inflammation and mucus secretion, Vicks VapoRub exposure increases rather than decreases mucocillary transport velocity, the nonimmunological defense mechanism by which particulate matter is removed from the respiratory tract. Increased mucocillary transport velocity is a good thing. Two: direct contact of ferret tracheal tissue with Vicks VapoRub increases mucin secretion and decreases mucus clearance. Thus, perhaps the most important take home message of this study: don’t swallow Vicks VapoRub

 

Vicks Vaporub has always maintained that it is not to be used on children under 2, nor should it be placed in the nostrils.

 

Sabra Way MNIMH

Editor in Chief and Founder, Galen's Watch

 Galen's Watch reports on complementary and alternative medical literature that is relevant to CAM practitioners. Visit our journal watch service and see the medical journals we scan regularly .

 

 

 

Herbal Combination Clinically Tested for Upper Respiratory Health.

Sinupret® (manufactured by Bionorica, Neumarkt, is a herbal combination containing

 extracts of five traditional European herbs: elder (Sambucus nigra) flowers, primrose (Primula veris) flowers with calyx, common sorrel (Rumex acetosa) herb, European vervain (Verbena officinalis) herb, and gentian (Gentiana lutea) root.

This herbal combination product has been used in Germany for many years with good results. The American Botanical Council (ABC) has just released the full monograph- herbal combination with full access. 

 

This herbal combination product is for children and adults and comes in a variety of forms to take. This would make a good suggestion for your patients to stock in their natural medicine cabinets.

Sabra Way MNIMH

Editor in Chief and Founder, Galen's Watch

Visit our journal watch service Galen's Watch at www.galenswatch.com. Galen's Watch reports on complementary and alternative medical literature that is relevant to CAM practitioners