Only simple listing of functions that noses perform strongly convinces that the nose is a very important organ, and hence keeping it in a good working condition is essential for overall health.

The nose plays a significant role for the sense of smell and for respiration. Noses moisture and warm the air up, thus protecting the respiratory airways and lungs from infections, dryness and cold. If nasal respiration is for some reasons not present (as it may for example happen when the nose is obstructed), the person compensates the lack of respiration breathing through the mouth. That usually leads to the inflammation of the fauces, laryngopharynx, larynx, etc. - consequently pharyngitis or laryngitis, or even bronchitis occur.

Performance of the above functions is possible due to the special design of the nose. The nasal cavity is divided into two parts; the outer nasal walls have three nasal turbinate bones (conchae) that are formed by the bone projection. Under these bones there are three nasal passages. The nasal cavity has different openings into the accessory sinuses of the nose. The entire surface of the nasal cavity is covered by the mucous membrane.

Due to the fact that the nasal cavity is divided by the nasal septum, and also to the fact that the cavity has nasal turbinate bones, the overall size of the nasal cavity is relatively big. That is a very important issue: while the inhaled air goes by the arc-shaped way towards the nasopharynx (the nasal conchae also cause some turbulence), it cleans and warms up and gets moistened.

Cleansing of the inhaled air happens due to the numerous small hairs presented in the entrance of the nose, and due to the mucus that is constantly produced by special cells. The hairs do not let big pieces of dust get into the nose, while smaller pieces stick to the mucus (and then get removed together with the mucus). We would also like you to note that the mucus contains lysozyme and mucin; these substances help the body to fight germs; lysozyme and mucin have the bacteriostatic (stopping germs from reproduction) and bactericidal (germicide) effects. In colds, when more germs numerously rush into the body, the body secrets more mucus. This mucus shall be actively removed because there are many germs in it, but moreover it does have many toxic substances that are the result of the germs' activity.

Moistening of the inhaled air occurs due to the work of the same mucus, of the tears, and of the lymph that penetrates through the epithelial stratum.

As the inner surface of the nose has intensive blood supply (its vascular bed is very developed), the air that passes through the nasal ways moistures quickly.

Nasal lavage is a very effective procedure in cases of the runny nose, in the inflammation of the nasal accessory sinuses, in adenoiditis in children, etc. The water flow during the lavage mechanically cleanses the nasal passages and nasopharynx, removing dust, crusts and mucus with numerous germs in it (thus helping the body to cope with the infection). Besides, warm water (40-42°C) heats the nasal mucosa, and many germs die when meeting high temperature. If any saline solution (it may be a sodium chloride or sea salt solution) is used for the lavage, it leads to edema elimination from the nasal mucosa, thus simplifying nasal breathing. After active nasal lavage and elimination of mucus, efficiency of any nasal drops improves significantly because after the lavage nothing disturbs medication influence on the nasal mucosa. And vice versa: if the nose is over-obstructed by the discharge, even the best and extra-expensive medication will not be able to eliminate edema and inflammation because the medication will flow with the discharge into the nasopharynx and fauces, and the patient will swallow it without any desired and expected results.

Nasal and nasopharyngeal lavage is useful not only in diseases; it is good even for a completely healthy person to perform nasal lavage occasionally (for example, once a day in the morning). As mentioned before, one of the important nasal functions is cleansing of the inhaled air. This is the reason why dust is always present in the nasal passages, and dust means germs of any kinds, which only wait for the chance when the body weakens due to any reason, and they will become able to "attack". Elimination of the "prospective enemy" is always good to be done in advance.

Regular nasal lavage can be very useful in spring and fall (autumn) periods, when everybody around catches colds. It also can be useful during the flu epidemics. The simplest and widely accessible procedure can protect from colds and flu quite well. People who suffer from allergy can also benefit much from nasal and nasopharyngeal lavage. During such lavage nasal passages and nasopharynx become free from dust, mucus, and allergens.

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