By Theodore Alaba Dumaluan, EENT

Nasal Washing Benefits That You Should Know

Nasal washing is one hygiene that is not totally popularized for some reason. If you would know the reasons, which I bet most of you will be hearing it the first time, you would in one way try to immerse yourself to commit to the discipline. Nasal washing is primarily done for the purpose of conditioning the nasal cavity for its maximal function, not just for the transit of conditioned air into the lungs. Just because you have it right in front of your face and see it every day does not mean you know much on what is going on in there. 

Nasal washing has been highlighted recently for sanitation purposes and for good reasons. Our primary defense from airborne irritants is the Innate Immunity offered by the protective barrier of the nasal mucosa. If supported by nasal washing, the Innate immunity is enhanced. That means protection from dusts and pollutants that can trigger allergies, from virus particles that can cause respiratory infections that may lead to epidemics and pandemics, from common bacterial infections including TB, and from fungal infections including Candida albicans spores that is known to be  the most common cause of allergy in more than 90% of healthy population. 

Aside from keeping us from ill-effects of airborne infection, what else?

We need to control the inflammatory reaction of the nose to these airborne contaminants. Nasal washing is a good adjunct aside from steroids and anti-allergy medications. Why? Because inflammation of the nasal mucosa irritates the nerve, the Sphenopalatine Nerve (SPN), that supplies the whole nasal cavity, aside from the Olfactory and Ethmoidal nerves. The inflammation could be clinical, with  symptoms, or sub-clinical, noted only with inspection as gross hyperemia.

Nasal mucosa inflammation has direct implications to five cranial nerves (CN) and cervical sympathetic chain, and indirectly to the CN 8 (Cochlear N.).  As SPN has its attributes from CN 5 (Trigeminal N.), CN 7 (Facial N.) and cervical sympathetic chains, it has interconnecting nerves to CN 10 (Vagus N.) and CN 11 (Spinal Accessory N.). By direct extension of inflammation, the middle ear is reached in time by virtue of its proximity.

As SPN is being stimulated by inflammation and pressure from mucosal contact due to swelling, the impulses are fired back to its contributing nerves and to its branches, as well as to the interconnecting nerves associated with CN 10 and CN 11. Evidence of SPN connection to CN 10 is sneezing reflex in sternutation (sneezing when nasal cavity is stimulated) and snatiation (sneezing when stomach is suddenly full). Evidence of SPN connection to CN 11 is during SPN block by anesthesia, where tense muscles of the back of the head and shoulders are relaxed following SPN block.

Clinical manifestations of Rhinitis (inflammation of nasal mucosa) are the following:

  • Carnial Nerve 5 (Trigeminal Nerve) – periorbital pain/headache with teariness/frequent blinking 

– Sinus headaches and dentoalveolar pain

  • Cranial Nerve 7 (Facial Nerve) – tensions to the muscles of the face including temporal headaches
  • Cervical Sympathetic Chain – hypertension
  • Cranial Nerve 10 (Vagus Nerve) – hyperacidity and reflux disease
  • Cranial Nerve 11 (Spinal Accessory Nerve) – spasms of nape muscles and shoulder that could impede blood flow of vertebral artery towards the brain causing dizziness, drowsiness and easy fatiguability, and impingement of nerves to the limbs causing tingling sensations to extremities    
  • Cranial Nerve 8 (Cochlear Nerve) when affected by direct extension of inflammation due to its proximity, persistent tinnitus would ensue and hearing loss would occur in time.

So, with all these highly possible discomforts, why not afford to wash your nose to function optimally?

 A simple measure with exponential benefits. Washing is nothing extraordinary that could help alleviate the discomforts. The discomforts are not random. It is what it is.

Now you know!