Do you suffer from chronic sinus infections? Allegies to pet dander, pollen or other irritants. Does this keep you from being active, participating in races, playing your favorite sport?  While this may be an odd item to review on a sports medicine site, it is one of those annoying ailments that can literally halt your athletic endeavors. Try running with a sinus infection and you’ll feel like your face is going to explode by the end of the race.

In recent years, the netti pot has gotten some attention. But if you’re one of those who suffers from them all the time, 6-8 per year, and none of the antibiotics seem to completely get rid of the ailment, you may need something more turbo charged.

I will personally tell you that this device has absolutely changed the quality of my life. So I told my neighbors about it since they, too, suffer horribly from frequent sinus infections.

What is a Grossan Nasal Irrigator?

I call it the nasal blaster. Basically, it’s an instrument that cleans out your sinuses only it acts as a sort of water pik for your nose. So it’s plugged into the wall. Yes, it’s an electric pump of sorts.

You put warm water and a salt/baking soda solution in the bin. You can buy the salt and baking soda solution or mix that yourself. Then you add snap on the nasal wand, and turn it on to see that water is coming out of the end. I then shut it off, put the end tip of the wand at my nose and turn it on. Make sure you are completely blocking your nose and your head is hanging over the sink looking at the drain. Water goes in one side and comes out the other. Once half the water is used up, you turn it off, switch sides and do the other side.

Not glamorous. Not something you want to do on a date. But it really does work. And if you are at the point of desperation in terms of chronic sinus infections, you could care less that it’s not glamorous.

Results?

If I use it every day, I don’t get sinus infections. I’m down to one every 16 months. And that’s from 6-8 per year. And when I get one it’s due to my having slacked off and not used it for a few days.

I have recommended the device to many people and all of them tell me the same thing. The frequency of sinus problems is dramatically decreased. No more hauling everyone to the doctor or pumping every body with antibiotics to get rid of it.

Kind of pricey, isn’t it?

Not when you compare it to 6-8 doctor trips and the filled prescriptions every year. The lost time and/or work days don’t help you get ahead either. That’s if it lasts a year. Mine GrossanNasal Irrigator has lasted 5 years so it has paid for itself many times over. And I’ve been able to stay more active.

Why is it called Grossan?

Dr. Grossnan, an ENT, invented it. And the directions that come with the device tell you the story and detailed instructions on how to use it. Sort of ironic that what might be considered a gross hygiene act is called Grossan.

When should I use it?

Whenever you can. I use it right after I get out of the shower. But you could use it before going to bed. It takes less than 3 minutes to use. So worth it.

Never use it on a completely clogged nose. You’re thinking, “Well, why else would I want to use it?” If you are currently experiencing an infection, continue your course of antibiotics and once it starts to break up, use a decongestant and then the device.

Those nose drops work, too. Just make sure not to use them more than two days in a row or that can backfire. But I have used them to open up sinuses so the device can help clean out the infection for good.

Do you lug that with you when you travel?

I have but now I don’t. I was paranoid of getting an infection once I started using it and finally was getting some relief and some sleep. Due to all the sinus infections, I was falling apart, circles under my eyes and not very articulate either. My sinuses hurt all the time. So I was absolutely paranoid that I would get another infection after the plane ride.

But now when I travel I take the Neil-Med with me and use that. Some of you might do fine with that alone and not have to get the GrossanNasal Irrigator pump. I tried the Neil-Med long term but then I got an infection. So while the traveling Neil-Med is fine for a week or so away, I do need to resume using the electric GrossanNasal Irrigator when I get back.

Construction of the device

I have read complaints about the construction. Most of them are old complaints but I’m sure that a unit is faulty every once in a while. All I can say is send it back and get a new one if that is the case. Mine has lasted 5 years and using it is very easy. My neighbor burned through hers in less than a year because the whole family was using it.  (They all had their own wands by the way. Sort of like an electric toothbrush with the different heads you can change out.) She ordered a new one because it beat going to the doctor all the time and she got results.

How does it feel?

I will admit that using the salt/baking soda packets mixed in water was difficult at first. It actually felt like it was burning. So for a while, I mixed my own. I used 1 tsp salt for ½ tsp of non iodized salt. After a while, I was able to use the easy salt packets. And you can buy the packets at most drug stores. But most others I've talked to never have suffered from this burning sensation. Mixing my own took care of it, though.

There are hypertonic packets if you’ve just had nasal surgery and supposedly you don’t feel the burn if you use this mixture. But since I’m past the “burn” feeling, I don’t worry about it.

Cleaning the device

You are supposed to use distilled water but I don’t. I use warm water and the packets. But I do rinse the device after each use. And I do run 2/3 vinegar and 1/3 water through the device once a month to clean it out.

In my area, we have hard water. I don’t know if this makes a difference to how long it lasts or not.