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Nasal care

 

Thousands of litres of air pass through the nose every day. Yet this essential organ is often neglected. Let’s learn more about the nose, what it does and how to care for it.

Functions of the nose

The nose and nasal cavities play a major role in the human body, making proper nasal care extremely important. Here is an overview of their main functions.

  1. Breathing and filtering. The air we breathe passes through the nostrils and nasal cavities. It is then moistened, warmed and filtered by mucus and cilia (tiny hairs), which trap foreign particles, such as pollution, dust, pollen, viruses, bacteria and fungi.
  2. Smell. The olfactory cells, bulb and nerve, which are located in the upper part of the nasal cavities, capture scents and send a signal to the brain that allows us to recognize them. The nose also helps us detect delicate flavours and aromas.
  3. Drainage. The sinuses and tear ducts drain through the nasal cavities.
  4. Voice. The nose and nasal cavities also contribute to phonation, the production of voice and language, by serving as a sounding board for the projection of sounds.

Nasal care for better health

Nasal care supports our overall health in many ways. For example:

  • It prevents respiratory infections in babies, children and adults.
  • It makes it easier for babies to breastfeed.
  • It reduces the severity of cold symptoms (nasal congestion, runny nose, cough, sore throat) and shortens its duration.
  • It eases allergy symptoms by eliminating allergens from nasal membranes.
  • It improves sleep.
  • It keeps the nose moist and prevents nosebleeds.

What is proper nasal care?

Here are a few measures to keep your nose –and yourself – healthy:

  • Maintain the relative humidity level in your home at 30 to 50 percent.
  • Quit smoking and ask your guests to smoke outside.
  • Keep your surroundings free of dust:
    • Avoid carpets and stuffed toys and dust on a regular basis. 
    • Air out your home every day.
  • Do a nasal cleansing every day – this is particularly important for babies and children.
    • Increase the number of cleansings if you have a cold or allergies.

hydraSense® Baby Nasal Care*:

  1. The hydraSense® Ultra-Gentle Mist  with comfort nozzle is specially adapted to the nostrils of young babies. This Ssterile, saline solution ais free of any medications or preservatives. It will help reduce and relieve nasal cold symptoms and nasal congestion. Your little one will be able to breathe better! *Note: For infants under 6 months, please ask pediatrician before use

  2. Designed with the help of pediatricians, the hydraSense® Nasal Aspirator Starter Kit  is a gentle and effective way to clear tiny congested noses. Use this product when your child is having trouble breathing because of dry or obstructed nasal passages due to colds or nasal congestion.

  3. hydraSense® Easydose® offers individual, portable and ready-to-use vials that can be used anywhere if your baby is having trouble breathing because of dry or obstructed nasal passages due to a cold or nasal congestion. 

    4. Nasal care

    A great way to cleanse nasal cavities is to use a saline solution. Of course, you need to pick a product made for this purpose. Saline solutions can be administered in drops, aerosols, moderate or strong jet spray. Some also contain a moisturizer or a lubricant. There are different nasal hygiene products on the market, including hydraSense® products.

     

    hydraSense® products are made with 100% undiluted seawater from a natural source (except for the formula with eucalyptus). Some are isotonic solutions that contain the same salt content as the fluids in the human body. They are therefore gentle on enough to clear even the most sensitive nasal passages.

    hydraSense® nose care*:

       hydraSense® Medium Spray works by flushing out excessive mucus accumulation, relieving congestion caused by colds, allergies, dust, environmental pollutants or upper respiratory tract infections to help you breathe better. The same 100% naturally sourced seawater solution is also available as a Gentle Mist Nasal Spray for sensitive noses.

You've tried saline sprays before, but you're looking for something more intense? Try hydraSense® NetiRinse® to relieve your nasal and sinus symptoms caused by colds or seasonal or year-round allergies - it may help you breathe easier. The hydraSense® NetiRinse® VariFlow® control collar allows you to choose between two flow intensities: gentle by gravity or intense by pressure.

* It is always a good idea to read and follow the label. 

Other solutions

You can also find hypertonic solutions on the market: a concentration of salt greater than what is found in the body, which means they can thin mucous and relieve congestion, without a rebound effect.  

The neti pot has been used for centuries by practitioners of Ayurveda, a form of traditional Indian medicine.  It resembles Aladdin’s lamp and is used to irrigate the nose and eliminate mucous by pouring warm salt water into one nostril and draining it from the other. Great for cleansing the nasal passages and sinuses!

Pharmacy services

Do you have questions about nasal care? Need help selecting the right product? Talk to your family pharmacists. They’re here to help!

 

[UNIPRIX] - The information contained herein is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide complete information on the subject matter or to replace the advice of a health professional. This information does not constitute medical consultation, diagnosis or opinion and should not be interpreted as such. Please consult your health care provider if you have any questions about your health, medications or treatment.

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