Many tout the benefits of nasal irrigation devices such as the neti pot, but unlikely events have drawn attention to possible dangers; namely, contraction of a deadly amoeba, Naegleria Fowleri.
Death by Brain Eating Amoeba
Two people in Louisiana contracted the infection in 2011 and the use of tap water in nasal irrigation or flushing is to blame. Naegleria Fowleri is a brain eating amoeba that can only be introduced to the brain through the nasal cavity (not by drinking infected water). It can be found in natural bodies of water, but is usually killed in the water treatment process.
Primary Amebic Meningeoncephalitis (PAM)
The bacteria enters the nose and makes contact with the brain causing Primary Amebic meningeoncephalitis. The infection causes nerve damage, coma and brain death, killing within 12 days of contraction. Symptoms include nausea, fever, stiff neck, headache, loss of balance and disorientation being comparable to bacterial meningitis.
The neti pot or other devices for nasal flushing, nasal rinsing or nasal irrigation are to be used in a precise manner so that bacteria does not get transferred to the body. Any contact with outside agents can cause a reaction within the body. It is also important to follow certain procedures to insure full drying of the nasal passages when finished as not to promote harmful growth and absorption of saline solution.
Proper Jala Neti Practice to Avoid Contamination
It is important to prepare your items and follow the step by step directions of Jala neti for optimized results. Yoga enthusiasts recommend seeking the help of someone who has experience with Jala neti to teach the technique one on one.
- Place a quarter teaspoon finely ground non-iodized salt into neti pot. This equates to one teaspoon for every half liter, which makes a 9% isotonic solution; the same as human blood. this keeps the solution from being absorbed by the body.
- Add warm (not hot) water and allow for the salt to dissolve.
- Put the spout of the pot to your nose firmly and tilt head in opposite direction.
- Close passage between nose and mouth to keep the solution form draining into the mouth.
- Let the solution flow through the through and out the opposite nostril until pot is half empty.
- Blow gently out of nose.
- Repeat the process on the other side.
- Stand and bend forward at the waist and let water drip from the nose. Then tilt nose toward the knees and continue to let the fluid drain while gently breathing in by mouth and out by nose 10 times.
- Stand upright and breathe in and out of nose, both sides, together and then separately 10 times each.
One may also want to consider the material that the nasal flushing device is made of. Manay conventional neti pots are ceramic. It is decorative and appealing to the eye but is not as easy to keep clean as a stainless steel pot. Stainless steel Neti Pots tend to be larger allowing for the proper amount of liquid for an adequate cleanse and they are more hygenic.
Prevention
To prevent bacterial growth and possible contamination of water, use boiled water or saline and wash the device with soap and water between every use. Allow to air dry.
When in natural bodies of water, hold the nose closed with fingers or nose clips when the head is submerged.
Sources:
MedicineNet.com."Amoeba: Naegleria Flowleri Brain Infection Rare But Fatal" (accessed December 28, 2011)
MedicineNet.com."Primary Amebic Meningeoncephalitis."(accessed December 28, 2011)
Suite101.com." The Neti Pot and Nasal Irrigation." (accessed December 28, 2011)
Sci-TechToday.com."Improper Use of Neti Pots Linked to Deaths." (accessed December 27, 2011)
Jennifer Worthington Lower - Jennifer is a freelance writer with an interest in various subjects but focuses on parenting, home/family life and natural living and ...
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